Homebrew Heog (Hedgehogfolk) Species Details

Heogs were discovered around -3000 DR, but they are much older race. Some scholars believe that heogs are effect of dark magic and very old curse. Others think they came from Feywild. Few believe that heogs are the offspring of one of the creator races. The truth is, they are children of human and old extinct race of botashi (giant spiky shapeshifting hedgehogs like creatures), which are classified as batrachi, but in reality were separate race.

When heogs are born, they live with their parents for about 30 years and then go to find they place in the world. They love to travel and they do it during their whole life. If not traveling the world they try to find their place by other mean. They are fearless creatures, afraid only of the biggest enemies that can ignore their spiky armor. When they are about 100 - 200 years old and got to know the world enough, they mostly find their second half (if they can find one) and settle giving birth to new life and raising it. As a home heogs mostly burrow a lair by themselves, but sometimes they just inhabit uninhabitable cave. Pregnant heog gives birth to one or very rarely two heogs. Making few, but durable, specimens is heog's way to survive. 

By the time the child leaves, parents usually don't decide for another one. Parents teach their child heogish which is natural language to heogs, but later on they also teach him Common to be able to participate in the world. Difference between male and female heogs is small, but visible, even for other races. Female heogs are usually a bit smaller, have lighter hair and are a little bit less willing to fight. Traveling is a way for heogs to meet a partner who also isn't too close related. When heogs bind together, they mostly stay together to the end or unbind to travel and find new partner after about 100-200 years. The heogs' couple gives birth to one heog about every 35 years.

Heogs are not afraid of things. It's not like they look for challenges. They just want to experience the world and are not afraid of new things world throw at them. They are also very family and the binds they make are very strong. Despite that, they are not gullible. They like to have new friends, but to have true friend beside love partner it's very hard for them and it takes long time. When in society or adventure group they are curious and friendly, if they know they can feel safe, but also they need some time for their own every day. They admire art, despite they don't spend time to do it by themselves.

Heogs hold erect posture like humans, but their backbone is more flexible. They have human legs and arms but with hedgehog hands and toes. Their body is covered with spiky hair mostly dark grey, or black, sometimes deep blue. Their face is like that of a hedgehog but slightly more humanoid. Their skin is black, brown, light gray, or pale pink.

Heog (Hedgehogfolk) Traits

Heogs are fearsome and durable creatures who like to discover the world, mostly alone.

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 2.

Age

Heogs live very long lives. It is quite unknown why they mature so slowly. You are considered adult around the age of 35 and you can live up to  1000 years.

Aligment

Heogs tend toward lawful good, although there were few cases of heogs being evil or chaotic.

Size

Heogs are very slightly taller than humans, ranging from 5,2 to 6,2 feet tall. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet. You have burrow speed of 5 feet.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Heogish. Heogish is a language used only by heogs. It consists of whizes and whistles and transmits rather basic information. All heogs raised by their parents know those 2 languages.

Spiky Armor

When you aren't wearing armor, your AC is 14 + your Dexterity modifier. You can use your spiky armor to determine your AC if the armor you wear would leave you with a lower AC. A shield's benefits apply as normal while you use your natural armor. Additionally, when you are not wearing armor and a creature hits you with a melee weapon attack with it's natural weapon, (like claw, bite, unarmed strike) it takes your level / 3 + 1  piercing damage from nonmagical attacks (rounded down).

Tireless Pilgrim

You have advantage on saving throws against getting frightened and exhaustion condition.

Heog's Mimicry

You have advantage on Charisma(Deception) ability checks.