Homebrew Yordle Species Details

The Yordle are a race of spirits who generally take the appearance of mammalian bipeds. They mostly reside in a mystical place known as Bandle City, though some of them have ventured out to live in numerous locations around the Material Plane.

What differentiates yordles from other spirits is that their physiology is more consistent between its members. Yordles are sexually dismorphic and much shorter than humans; both sexes rarely exceed 1 meter tall, with most averaging around 0.8 meters. Their skin texture ranges from being completely smooth, to very lightly covered in fur, to ultimately being significantly furry. Their hands have four digits while their feet differ greatly depending on the individual (from four to two digit feet). Their skin tone runs a much broader spectrum of colors than their human counterparts; some consider this to be a sign of the yordles’ attunement to Weave’s magical nature; though scientists agree that this evolutionary trait is used by male Yordles (which tend to be furry ) to attract females of their species (which tend to be smooth skinned and/or lightly covered with fur). Their large eyes feature a large, circular iris with a vertically oval pupil, and they generally have inferior vision in the normal spectrum of light than humans. Yordles nevertheless have much better hearing, due to their large fox-like ears and are able to see into the infrared spectrum of light, whereas humans cannot. Furthermore, they are commonly characterized by their dependence on language, as well as their creation and utilization of complex tools.

They require far more social interaction with their own kind than humans do. Their desire for social interaction drives them toward this ethos, as the mental health of a yordle is very much dependent on the positive company he or she keeps. This does not mean, however, that they are incapable of cruelty and evil. In fact, a yordle who is kept in isolation for too long – especially from contact with other yordles – runs the risk of becoming withdrawn and sullen. Some who already are centered more toward malevolence will become exceedingly so in due course. These yordles will often twist their desire for social interaction into a desire to seek out others to inflict pain and suffering upon them

Opinions differ as to where exactly the home of the yordles is to be found, though a handful of mortals claim to have traveled unseen pathways to a land of curious enchantment beyond the material realm. They tell of a place of unfettered magic, where the foolhardy can be led astray by myriad wonders, and end up lost in a dream... In Bandle City, it is said that every sensation is heightened for non-yordles. Colors are brighter. Food and drink intoxicates the senses for years and, once tasted, will never be forgotten. The sunlight is eternally golden, the waters crystal clear, and every harvest brings a fruitful bounty.

Perhaps some of these claims are true, or maybe none—for no two taletellers ever seem to agree on what they actually saw. Only one thing is known for certain, and that is the timeless quality of Bandle City and its inhabitants. This might explain why those mortals who find their way back often appear to have aged tremendously, while many more never return at all.

Material Plane is linked to an enchanted place in the spirit realm known as Bandle City. The pathways are rarely seen by mortals, for they only open under particular circumstances, or for those with the ability to read and interpret the language of the yordles.

While there are portals whose positions can shift over time, there are many that stay rooted in a single location. The magic of the spirit realm occasionally ebbs back and forth around such places—known as bandlewoods—and affects the local flora and fauna in strange, unpredictable ways.

 

Yordle Traits

All Yordles share the same racial abilities listed below

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity, Charisma, and one other ability score of your choice each increase by 1.

Age

Yordles have exceptionally longer life spans than the average human, this is partially due to the innate magic within all yordles. Yordles reach adulthood at the age of 50 years old and can live up to 650 years.

Alignment

Most Yordles are good, and tend towards neutrality. Their moral compass is most often pointed toward goodness and benevolence. All Yordles respect the Bandle City rules and would never teach anyone their secret yordle language. 

Size

Yordles rarely exceed 1 meter tall, with most averaging around 0.8 meters. Your size is small.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Yordle. Yordle is a secret language of all Yordles. Almost all Yordles speak Common to converse with the people they meet on their travels outside of Bandle City, but they also often pick up a language or two from the people they travel with. Choose one additional language of your choice.

Hearthstone

Once per day, you can perform Hearthstone ritual. You can sense any portals within 1 mile range and any portal to Bandle City within 6 miles range. If you find a portal to Bandle City by getting within line of sight of it, you yourself and any party members you wish may pass through to enter Bandle City, gaining access to any agreed upon buildings, merchants, NPCs, services, areas, and plot lines that the city provides. Non Yordles that enter Bandle City will be viewed with suspicion by its residents. They will additionally be affected in mystical ways. Their senses will be heightened. Colours will appear brighter, sounds more crisp, and any tastes or smells they experience will be more potent. Non Yordles will become intoxicated and overwhelmed by their enhanced senses and the surreal nature of the area. They will behave as if in an awestruck stupor or surreal dream, and may try to wander off. This high like effect with last until they leave.

Brawns and Charms

The Yordle race have innate magic within them which helps them achieve extraordinary things usually impossible for someone of their stature.

• You can use heavy weapons and heavy items with no disadvantage even though your size is small.
• You know the spell Disguise Self, and can cast it once per long rest as a concentration spell, maintaining it indefinitely provided you can maintain concentration.

Bandle City Professionals

All inhabitants of the Bandlecity fully commit to their hobbies and duty. You gain proficiency one artisan’s tool of your choice.

Lesser Darkvision

You can see in dim light within 30 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Eyes and Ears

Your hearing and eyesight are superior to most other humanoid races. You gain proficiency in Wisdom (Perception) ability checks.