Homebrew Oread Species Details

Oreads are humans whose ancestry includes the touch of an elemental being of vegetation somewhere along the line. Stoic and contemplative, oreads are a race not easily moved, yet almost unstoppable when spurred to action. They remain a mystery to most of the world thanks to their reclusive nature, but those who seek them out in their secluded forest hideaways find oreads to be quiet, dependable, and protective of their friends.

 

When Trees come Alive

 Oreads have long, tree-like appendages with two arms that end in three to six spindly fingers and a thumb. Their legs end in rooty clumps. The oread's native tree bark-covered torso is much like a tree trunk; round and uniform.The heads of the oreads are simple wooden orbs with various leaves and/or vines sprouting from the back of the head like hair. An oread’s face is a rather plastic and emotionless mockery of humanity. 

Planted in a Different Garden

As a minor offshoot of the human race, oreads have no real established society of their own. Instead, most oreads grow up in human communities learning the customs of their parents. Adult oreads have a well-deserved reputation among other races for being hermits and loners. Few take well to the bustle of city life, preferring instead to spend their days in quiet contemplation atop some remote mountain peak or deep below the earth in a secluded cavern. Oreads with a greater tolerance for life among humans often join the city watch, or find some other way to serve their community in a position of responsibility.

Wall Flowers

Oreads feel comfortable in the company of dwarves, with whom they have much in common. They find gnomes too strange and many halflings far too brash, and so avoid these races in general. Oreads gladly associate with half-orcs and half-elves, feeling a sense of kinship with the other part-human races despite inevitable personality conflicts. Among the elemental-touched races, oreads have few friends but no true enemies.

Petal in the Wind

Oreads are initially hesitant adventurers. They dislike leaving their homes and don’t handle the shock of new experiences well. Usually it takes some outside force to rouse oreads into action, often by threatening their homes, lives, or friends. Once the initial threat is dealt with, however, oreads often find they’ve grown accustomed to the adventuring life, and continue to pursue it through the rest of their days. Oreads make good monks and fighters thanks to their prodigious strength and self-discipline.

Oread Names

Oreads have names similar to that of various types of flora.

Male Names: Andanan, Jeydavu, Mentys, Oret, Sithundan, Urtar.

Female Names: Besthana, Echane, Ghatiyara, Irice, Nysene, Pashe.

Oread Traits

These are the traits that your oread character will have.

Ability Score Increase

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

 

Age

Oreads age far slower than humans, they reach adulthood around 60 - 70. They live to be nearly 800 years old some healthier individuals may reach 1,000.

 

Alignment

Oreads are, perhaps above all else, set in their ways, and any disruption of their routine is met with quiet disapproval. Oreads are fiercely protective of their friends, but don’t seem particularly concerned with the well-being of those outside their small circle of acquaintances. As such, most oreads fall under any Neutral and/or Good alignment.

Size

Oreads can grow up to 7 feet, but maybe as short as 6 and half.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

 

Darkvision

Your elemental heritage grants you vision in the dark. You can see up to 60 feet in dim light as though it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of blue.

 

Natural Bug Repellant

You've become tolerant of the rather toxic bites of insects, gaining you advantage on saves against being poisoned and resistant to poison damage.

Barkskinned

Due to an oreads tough and rugged outer layer, they gain a defensive bonus. When not wearing armor your AC is 10 + your Dexterity modifier + your Strength modifier.

Forest's Grasp

Oreads are capable of reaching long distances and grabbing both objects and people. Your reach is 30 ft. when not wielding a weapon, you can not attack when a target is not within 5ft of you.

Woodland Weapon

You twist both of your branch-like arms into simple melee weapons and a shield made of wood. These can not be disarmed. Weapons include Club, Greatclub, Light Hammer, Mace, Quarterstaff, and Spear.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Sylvan and Primordial.