Homebrew Elkataur Species Details

The Elkataurs are majestic creatures, hiding within the winter forests in the far north. They walk alone, except when needed to answer the call of the wider clan needs, or, more often, to help their mothers. They are rumoured to be given life when Odin used the rune Algiz upon a human he wanted to punish, unintentionally converting him into a hybrid of the two races. A happier version of the story is that an elk attempted to save the god Heimdal from a fatal strike and he granted it intelligence and the ability to be bipedal. 

Antlers and Arctic

Elkataurs are barrel chested, fur-covered humanoids with heads resembling those of a moose. Their large noses provide them with a heightened sense of smells,  The males, or bulls, have antlers range in size from about 1 foot wide to great, scratched weapons almost two meters in width, weighing up to 30 lbs. Elkataurs have small vestigial tails, similar to that of a bear. 

Elkataurs have thick, hollow fur, particularly across their torsos, which provides them with exceptional warmth in winter. It also has a secondary benefit that allows Elkataurs to float more easily in water. They come from the frozen lands to the north, in particular, Niflheim and Jotunheim in Jorvik. They are solitary creatures, who often only come into contact with their own kind for mating season once they reach maturity, but will enjoy wandering through forests alone. Predominately winter based creatures, Elkataurs survive hot weather by accessing shade or cooling wind, or by immersion in cool water. In hot weather, Elkataurs are often found wading or swimming in lakes or ponds. 

Calm Contemplation

Unlike their Minotaur cousins, Elkataurs are generally slow-moving and sedentary, often content to watch the world go by. However, they can become aggressive and move quickly if angered or startled. Unlike some races, Elkataurs are surprisingly limber, with highly flexible joints and sharp, pointed hooves. Due to this flexibility, Elkataurs can kick in all directions including sideways, making them excellent martial artists. 

Family Matters

Males will wrestle with each other during mating season, sometimes to the great entertainment of the females. The bond between an Elkataur and their mother is the strongest out there. Twins are common among Elkataurs when food is plentiful, and cows (the name for females) are incredibly protective of their young whilst they cannot defend themselves. Elkataurs reach maturity around 14 and generally have a life span of around 80 years. 

Elkataur Traits

Your Elkataur character has the following racial traits.

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 2, and your Strength score increases by 1.

Alignment

Most elkataurs are kind and gentle in nature. They tend towards good alignments. 

Size

Minotaurs average over 6 feet in height, and they have stocky builds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Antlers

Your antlers are natural melee weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Goring Rush

Immediately after you use the Dash action on your turn and move at least 20 feet, you can make one melee attack with your horns as a bonus action.

Rutting Antlers

Immediately after you hit a creature with a melee attack as part of the Attack action on your turn, you can use a bonus action to attempt to shove that target with your antlers. The target must be no more than one size larger than you and within 5 feet of you. Unless it succeeds on a Strength saving throw against a DC equal to 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Strength modifier, you push it up to 10 feet away from you.

Comfortable Fur

Your thick fur provides you with comfort in the colder climates. You have resistance to cold damage and the effects of cold weather.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Giant Elk.