Homebrew Brikhan Species Details

"Look, we're all real tired so can you just cooperate and tell us what we want before I get serious?"

"Oooh, you're gonna get serious mister rock man? I'd laugh in your face but you wouldn't be able to see it!"

"I may not be able to see your face, but I don't need to. I can feel your racing heartbeat, your unique way of breathing. The occasional shake of your arms as you try to struggle, the way you nervously blink because you're secretly afraid, even the alcohol settling in your blood from your recent drinking escapade before you came into our hands. So before I list any more properties that I shouldn't even be able to even see according to you, would you tell me the events that transpired just a few hours earlier? Because out of everything I just listed, I don't need eyesight to know that your breath smells absolutely horrible.

—Recording of an Interrogation

 

A naturally subterranean race, the Brikhan are sturdy, half rock half humanoid hybrids who possess a unique capability of blindsight. Their homes consist of underground towns and sprawling connected caverns, with a few living above ground in mountain ranges. They are extremely rare, as they often never come up to the surface, preferring to live under the crust of the world in the safety and comfort of their darkness. However they still have understanding of the world above, often through stories or even personal interactions.

Birth of the Brikhan

It is unknown how the Brikhan came to be. Their predominant jagged exteriors and lack of eyesight seem to be signs of evolution from years upon years of living underground. The Brikhan creation story details how an unnamed group of humanoids creatures from long ago were forced to flee underground from a destructive and bloody war between multiple clans. These people, afraid to return to the surface again, learned over time how to survive underground, through harvesting and farming earthen plants, to hunting the few edible creatures that lived below the surface. Through slow construction and planning, a town was built underground by the settlers, who decided to embrace the caverns and call them home.

It is presumed that over time, the descendants of the children grew more accustomed to the caves, becoming capable of darkvision and slowly growing harder, more durable skin. Yet as time passed, their need for their eyesight started to dwindle, as the naturally pitch black caverns and the uncertainty of relying purely on vision to detect danger began to change the Brikhan again. Current Brikhan still possess eyes, however all are born blind, instead having heightened senses and a form of blindsight.

Appearances and Mannerisms

The Brikhan have a very recognizable appearance, as they are all covered in solid, rock like skin which can protect from most forms of dangers in the caverns. Their skin normally comes in shades of brown or grey, however some Brikhan are born with birthmarks which look like gems and minerals embedded in their body. Their hair follows the same properties, tending to show up as typical rocky colors, but some have bright gem like streaks in their hair. The Brikhan are often mistaken for other professions due to their second main characteristic. Almost all surface Brikhan will wear cloth around their eyes and upper head, or will cover their eyes in some way. Their eyes are dull and grey colored, often looking soulless, so they are covered since the Brikhan have no need for them, and it helps prevent people from being nervous around them.

Despite their general absence from the surface world, the Brikhan are relatively calm and relaxed, bearing no ill will towards other species. They simply prefer the quiet, echoing hallways of the underground, and they have no need to go sightseeing. Brikhan however will occasionaly travel to the surface for trades and supplies, as many items are much more accessible above ground. Brikhan may come off as cold or uncaring, but they have an appreciation for many things, however their lack of conversations with other races can lead to unwanted characteristics.

Brikhan Names

Brikhan names follow a simple system of naming their children after common materials found in the caves. Males are normally named after rocks and common minerals while females are named after gems and rarer cavern finds. Last names are not common among the Brikhan, and most last names are nicknames given to people by others.

Male Names: Boulder, Copper, Iron, Lead, Marble, Pebble, Silver, Titanium

Female Names: Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Pearl, Ruby, Topaz

Last Names/Nicknames: Curious Wanderer, Laugh Bringer, Open Heart, Silent Speech, Treasure Finder, Unbreakable

Brikhan Traits

The Brikhan have gained their traits from their natural environment.

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 2 and your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Age

The Brikhan live shorter lives than most, reaching adulthood by age 10 and living up to around 65 years.

Alignment

Brikthan have a sense of community from their collective, subterranean living spaces. Most are Neutral or Good however some can lean more towards Evil depending on their interactions with others, especially with others on the surface world.

Size

Brikhan have evolved smaller bodies to make cavern maneuvering easier, so they can be as small as 4 feet but can max out at around 5 and a half feet. Your size is Medium. 

Speed

You have a base walking speed of 30 feet. Your burrowing and climbing speeds are 20 feet.

Heightened Senses

To compensate for their eyes, Brikhan have amazing senses for spacial awareness and detection. You have a blindsight of 80 feet and you are immune to any vision altering effects.

Judge of Words

Due to their blindness, Brikhan judge others through speech alone, analyzing any potential lies or slip ups. You gain proficiency in the Insight skill.

Rocky Shell

Your skin can provide enough armor for you alone. You gain no benefits from armor. Your natural armor class is 14 + your Constitution modifier. You still gain benefits from shields.

Languages

You can read, speak, and write Common and an extra language of your choice. The extra language can be one you picked up from your visits to the surface or a language taught to you.