Homebrew Didelkin (Possumfolk) Species Details

Resembling upright possums, the Didelkin are and interesting people. Although usually mistaken for shorter because of their crouched or  hunched posture, Possumfolk can reach average or above human height standing upright. Their typical slender more lanky build means they rarely get above 150 pounds. 


Gift of Gab

Possumkin are expert shmoozers, tricksters, and con artists. They can suss out the mental weaknesses of their marks and string the most ridiculous yarns that few others could get away with. Natural comedians, many find the Didelkin charming, while others despise them for their less than honest, and less than honorable ways. 


Tree-Dwellers

While there are many possomfolk who live in underground burrows, most possomfolk are arboreal creatures, living high in trees away from dangerous predators. The more “civilized possomfolk” live among wood elves, as well, symbiotically making their homes within tree-borne wood elf communities.

Inured to Death

Possomfolk tend to live in dangerous environments. Their young are easy prey for predators and their adults have shorter lifespans akin to goblins and kobolds. At an early age, possomfolk learn that death is a constant threat. As a defense, young possomfolk learn to take on the appearance of death to ward of predators, projecting the sights and even smells of a corpse as a way to defend themselves.

Possumfolk Names

A possomfolk’s name usually defines a well-known characteristic of the individual. Due to a low life-expectancy for most possomfolk, many aren’t named until they reach maturity. Before maturity, they are given names representative of their parentage, ie Suma’s Third

Male Names: Abukcheech, Enkoodabaoo, Matunaagd, Mekledoodum, Nootau, Sunukkuhkau, Wematin

Female Names: Anna, Brehea, Hurit, Nittawosew, Nuttah, Sooleawa, Suma

 

 

 

Didelkin (Possumfolk) Traits

Your Didelkin character has the following racial traits.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Intelligence  score increases by 1.

Age

Didelkin physically mature much faster than most races, reaching full maturity within their first two years. A possomfolk’s second birthday is seen as its “Survival Day”, where the possomfolk’s likelihood of surviving into old age greatly increases. Old age for possomfolk is generally 40 to 50 years.

 

Alignment

Possomfolk have no interest in law, nor do they act overtly chaotic. Generally, possomfolk are good-natured, albiet paranoid and distant from other non-possomfolk creatures.

Size

Didelkin are around 5 to 6 feet tall and weigh between 90 and 120 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet, and climb speed of 20 feet. 

Playing Possum

When you must make a saving throw against being frightened, you can use your reaction to “play possum.” When you do, you automatically pass your saving throw. You then fall prone in your space and you are paralyzed until the start of your next turn. While paralyzed, you appear to be dead. If a creature wishes to target you with an attack or harmful spell while you are in this state, it must make an Intelligence (Investigation) check contested by your Charisma (Deception) check. If the creature’s check fails, it must choose a new target or lose the attack or spell. Once you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you complete a short or long rest.

Nocturnal

Most possomfolk are nocturnal, spending their night hunting and traveling. They also make their home in underground burrows. You can see in dim light within 60 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.

Prehensile Tail

Your tail can hold small objects and wrap itself around things like tree branches or poles.  Your tail has a reach of 5 feet, and it can lift a number of pounds equal to five times your Strength score. You can use it to do the following simple tasks: lift, drop, or hold an object or a creature; open or close a door or a container; or grapple someone. The GM might allow other simple tasks to be added to that list of options. Your tail can’t wield weapons or shields or do anything that requires manual precision, such as using tools or magic items or performing the somatic components of a spell.

 

Languages

You can read and write Common and Sylvan, And can use your tail to speak with other Didelkin using “Tail Sign”
Satyrfey

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