Homebrew Jackalope Species Details

We trespassed, I know that now. We set out to hunt the creature only to discover that it was we who were being hunted. First, it got Scruz; took the big half-orc out at the knees. The jackalope was so fast, all I saw of it was a flash of claws and teeth. The next day it was Hertz and then that cowardly wizard Killenger as she tried to run away. I saw Hertz's head rolling down the path as I ran for my pitiful life. I knew it was on me before your hounds scared it off. I swore I heard Killenger's singing and Scruz's laughter right behind me...

— Playas, Shame and Glory of a Monster Hunter

Lepus praenuntius, warrior rabbits, The Dread Hare. Commonly laughed off as a joke, a myth, or as a sideshow fake, the real jackalope brings fear into the minds of those that have survived them. Faster than any hare, more agile than any antelope, and more tenacious than any hunter to any this carnivore views as prey. 

More Than A Myth

Lepus praenuntius, warrior rabbits, The Dread Hare. Commonly laughed off as a joke, a myth, or as a sideshow fake, the real jackalope brings fear into the minds of those that have survived them. Faster than any hare, more agile than any antelope, and more tenacious than any hunter to any this carnivore views as prey. With the body of a hare and the smooth antlers of an antelope (female) or pronged antlers of a deer (male), the jackalope is an exotic sight even in a place where displacer beasts exist.

Those that live and travel near their territories know that while the are intelligent, jackalopes cannot speak outside of mimicry. Tales of being able to hear out of place noises or voices serve not as a welcome, but a warning. Foolish poachers attempting to gather the milk, fabled to cure disease, of a doe jackalope should be careful to keep their ears open to any extra sets of voices or noises as this could indicate a group of bucks that art also seeking the doe.

Jackalopes are voracious carnivores. On average a healthy jackalope will consume ten times its body weight in meat every day. Jackalopes also love whiskey. While traveling near an area thought to be inhabited by a jackalope, it always helps to leave out a bit of strong whiskey to appease it. 

Their entrance into the land has been lost to history, but what is certain is that these creatures came from the Feywild. Their fey nature is often expressed in the form of a chaotic nature combined with the contradiction of aloofness and cold calculation like an elf.  

Jackalope Adventurers

Jackalopes are generally solitary hunters, but it is not impossible for these creatures to find need of outside help. Deforestation, a more aggressive rival, or the rare audacious adventurer who absconds with a kit to raise as a pet can force a jackalope to find solace with non-jackalopes. They tend to be aloof and can only communicate through mimicry, so it takes a patient group to win the trust of jackalope. Once it is had, the jackalope will protect its group with its life, although it may never show its full devotion to them.

With its small size and natural weaponry, jackalopes make excellent rogues and their solitude and connection to nature make them great hunters or rangers. 

Being fey and potentially literate, they can also be spellcasters. The need for somatic components may resolved by a wrinkle of the nose or wiggle of the whiskers to make an adorable preamble for a spell. Given their innate magical nature being fey, spell components are automatically used during spellcasting.

Armor and equipment may be worn as long as said armor and equipment is fitted for a jackalope. Jackalopes do not have opposable thumbs, so they may not carry things like weapons or shields in their paws. Weapons may be wielded by carrying them in the mouth. Shields may be attached to the back. Magical items like armor, rings, and amulets automatically resize to their wearer, so no extra alteration is needed.  

 

ROLEPLAYING A JACKALOPE

While it may be a fun exercise in voice acting to attempt to mimic your party, or sounds of the world, it may test the group's patience after a short time. It may be better to state your character's intentions instead. 

For example, saying “Caerbannog leaps down and rubs his antlers on a tree to indicate the way he is sensing to go to find the ogre's den.” Be creative, have fun, and always make sure your group is having as much as you with your murderous little cryptid.

Jackalope Names

A jackalope's life is focused on the hunt, whether that be for food, a mate, or a destination. Because of this a jackalope will often be given a name based on:

• the first area it had claimed as its own like "Galanos" or "Watership".
• the first creature it hunted successfully on its own like "Fox" or "Timmy".
• its favorite noise or phrase to mimic like "Thunder" or "Over Here".

 

Jackalope Traits

Your jackalope character has the following racial traits.

Fey

Your creature type is fey, rather than humanoid.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Jackalopes are fey beings, and have longer lifespans than is expected. They reach maturity around three years old and live 200 years on average.

Alignment

Jackalopes are fey beings, so they naturally lean towards chaotic alignments. While they tend to be mostly neutral or evil, it is not impossible for a jackalope to be good.

Size

Jackalopes are sized more like their hare side and less like their pronghorn side. Your size is Small. Jackalopes are generally 2 feet tall and 3 feet tall with their horns. 

Speed

Jackalopes are as agile as hares. Their base walking speed is 40 feet. They also are expert diggers and have a burrow speed of 30 ft.

Mimicry

You can mimic sounds you have heard, including voices. A creature that hears the sounds you make can tell they are imitations with a successful Wisdom (Insight) check opposed by your Charisma (Deception) check.

High Metabolism

Jackalopes possess an unnaturally high metabolism. They are immune to Poison damage and a have a advantage on saves against becoming poisoned.

Naturally Dangerous

Jackalopes are viscous hunters and may consider their teeth, claws, and antlers as natural weapons.

Languages

You can read and write Common and Sylvan, but you can speak only by using your Mimicry trait.

Leaping Death

Jackalopes are capable of using their powerful legs to leap a distance and deliver a viscous attack. Starting at third level, if the jackalope moves at least ten feet in a straight line, it may take an action to leap up to twenty feet in any direction towards a target and make an attack with its teeth or antlers.

On a successful attack, consider the hit a critical hits. If a critical hits was rolled as part of the attack, add 1d6 per total character level divided by three. i.e. 1d6 at level 3, 2d6 at level 6, 3d6 at level 9, etc.

This action may only be taken once per long rest. 

Darkvision

A jackalope is normally a  nocturnal hunter. As such they have  darkvision up to 60 feet.