Homebrew Abernaki Species Details
Racoonfolk
The Abernaki are anthropomorphic raccoons. Often referred to as Raccoonfolk by the other races. The Abernaki look like larger Raccoons. They stand about 3 feet tall and weight about 40 pounds.
Small and Resilient
The Abernaki have spent centuries either living in the wild as far away from civilization as possible or enslaved by such civilizations. Those who were enslaved stayed in cities as scavengers that lived in squalor. As a result they have become very resilient and quick to adapt. They are rarely melancholy or discouraged.
Curious
the Abernaki are curious about everything. Particularly about food, but they also find the behavior of other creatures to be fascinating. An abernaki could lose themself to hours of watching others whether they watch an orc blacksmith go about their daily business or watch a Roc feed it’s young is equally possible.
Nocturnal
The Abernaki people have ascended from the nocturnal raccoon. They tend to operate at the highest efficiency at night or in dark areas. They have darkvision.
Adventuring Opportunities
Abernaki are naturally curious, compassionate, and have a strong desire to be a part of a family or clan. Many Abernaki whether wild or urban fill those needs just fine so Abernaki aren’t typically adventurers. Those same desires are also their flaws. Many Abernaki have been thrust into adventuring life because curiousity has gotten the best of them or their clan was wiped out and they seek vengeance or a new clan
Abernaki Names
An Abernaki has a given name typically associated with a physical or emotional trait. Sometimes their names are associated with a great accomplishment. For this reason Abernaki have no family name or gender specific names. Abernaki names are in their own language which is Sylvan, but they will rarely speak it to the other races and instead will give their names translated into other languages.
example names: Light Foot, Quick Paw, Hawk Eye, Hunter, Farmer, Elder, Compassion, etc
The two main kinds of Abernaki, Wild and Urban, are more like closely related families than true subraces. Wild Abernaki are nomadic and prefer to stay away from civilization as much as possible. They acknowledge that civilization can be good but they dislike the destructiveness it brings when it goes unchecked. Urban Abernaki have grown up within the cities of the people who enslaved them. Whether free now, still enslaved, or free but oppressed varies from city to city. These Abernaki can’t find it hard to leave the city and have grown very reliant on scavenging cities for food and supplies. An Urban Abernaki might become an adventurer as a means to the end. They might be driven by the promise of riches or glory to bring back to the clan. They might have risen to heroism in order to free the clan or fight for justice. They could simply have been asked to join a friend that promised some of these things or be full filling an owed favor. Despite generations of hardship the Abernaki are not a broken people and are still generally compassionate and understanding. They simply haven’t found a solid place in society yet.
Abernaki Traits
Your Abernaki character has a number of traits in common with all other Abernaki.Ability Score Increase
Your Dexterity score increases by 2.
Choose one other ability score to increase by 1.
You can’t raise an ability score higher than 20 from either of these ability score increases.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Common and Sylvan. Additionally all Abernaki can speak a secret Sylvan language called Abernaki that is not written. The Abernaki never share this language with the other races.
Age
An Abernaki reaches adulthood at the age of 20 and generally lives into the middle of his or her second century.
Alignment
Most Abernaki tend to be Chaotic good. They have a strong connection with family and community. They usually can't stand to see anyone be persecuted or oppressed, even if the law allows it. They are kind and care about the good of all rather than the good of one. This being said, the Abernaki are shaped by experience just like anyone else and can be of any alignment.
Size
Abernaki average about 3 feet tall and weigh about 40 pounds. Your size is Small.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 25 feet.
Abernaki Skill
You have spent a tremendous amount of time learning a skill, how to use a tool, and how to play an instrument or gaming set.
You have proficiency in any check related to your choices. You may not make any choice that is limited to a specific culture or class unless you have spent significant time with said culture or class (Ask your DM if it would be allowed for you to make a choice you normally wouldn’t be able to such as thieves’ tools).
Nocturnal
You have darkvision