Homebrew Barasingha Species Details

In bogs, bayous or swamplands, there is a slight chance you will catch a glimpse of graceful creatures that effortlessly bound and meander the marshes. You will find these beings maintaining the balance of growth and death of the wetlands, protecting the flora and fauna, and carrying out the rulings handed down from The Korjata. Selfless yet judicial, grandiloquent and cunning, the Barasingh have become known as the protectors of the swamps of Amon'Sayir. 

Swamp Saviors

A Barasingha is sized similar to most humanoids. They are bipedal and stand typically around 6 feet tall without accounting for antlers. A Barasingha's antlers can be varied in shape and size. Antlers can add anywhere from 1/2 to 2 additional feet in height to the creature. Large coned ears are slightly pointed and stick out the sides of their head below the antlers. Their eyes are typically solid black with no colored iris. A Barasingha's body is covered entirely in a coarse hair that can be varied in length, and is typically some shade of brown, but in certain regions can be white, grey, or very rarely black.  They have arms and torso similar to a humanoid, and a pair of rather strong, elongated legs that end in hooves, and a short tail.

The Barasingh spend their lives in the woods and swamps, learning how to care for the creatures and plants from the elders. They live in small herds that are semi-nomadic in nature, but never stray to far from the Korjata, as the representatives of each herd need to be able to report to the Assembly for hearings. By maturity, a Barasingha can hunt, track, and utilize the resources of the woods to craft balms and salves all with great ease. 

Ally of Nature

The Barasingh are at peace with the fact that nature sustains life. There is a natural order of predator and prey in the world. However, they do not take kindly to those who advert the process of nature. Hunting for sport or the intentional damage of nature are the highest crimes in the Barasingh Court. Emissaries of the Barasingh have delicately crafted strong alliances with the Firbolg, Centaur, and Elves in efforts of preservation. Over the years, Barasingha have become more commonplace and are seen traversing the open road.

Holders of Court

The Barasingh make decisions and levy judgements through elaborate court proceedings. The Barasingh court is called The Korjata and is overseen by the most senior member of the herds, called The Mengu'niwa, or Great Shepherd. The herd leaders throughout the lands travel to the private location to participate as members of the Assembly and vote at the hearings. Committing crimes against nature in Barasingh territory can be punishable by death. The Korjata operates autonomously, and these proceedings are typically respected by the other political assemblies in the region. 

Barasingha Names

Barasingha do not take titles or family names. Names are short and are often rooted from Sylvan words for different flora. The only Barasingha to hold more than just a name is The Mengu'niwa, who presides over The Korjata.

Male Names: Abinu, Bihar, Chenayl, Dasul, Hiruka, Isira, Layan, Omiru, Payara, Rushev, Ranhiru, Uvindu, Yasir

Female Names: Agrani, Charuka, Dewnii, Ihara, Jayawi, Lakma, Nithya, Oshani, Pabalu, Rithu, Yuthimi

Barasingha Traits

Your Barasingha character has the following racial traits. These traits are also suitable for the Barasingha of other worlds where there are Deerfolk of fey origin. These Barasingha are smaller than some of the Deerfolk that roam in the Feywild.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Due to their Fey nature, Barasingha reach adulthood around 150 years, and live to around 600 years

Alignment

Barasingha are concerned with the preservation of nature and cultivation of fauna. Most major decisions are made through the overly exuberant proceedings of their home court, as such, they are almost always lawful in one form or another

Size

Barasingha stand between 5 and 6 feet tall, not accounting for their antlers. They are typically quite slender. A full grown male may measure 7 1/2 feet tall from hoof to antler. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Fey

Your creature type is fey, rather than humanoid.

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.

Keen Senses

You have proficiency in the Perception skill

Deepwood Dwellers

You are accustomed to spending you time in the swamplands and dense forests of the world. You are adept at traveling and surviving in such regions. When you make an Intelligence or Wisdom check related to this terrain, your proficiency bonus is doubled if you are using a skill that you’re proficient in.

When spending time in Swamps or Forests, you gain the following benefits:

Difficult terrain doesn’t slow your group’s travel.

• Your group can’t become lost except by magical means.
• If you are traveling alone, you can move stealthily at a normal pace.
• When you forage, you find twice as much food as you normally would.

Forest's Defenders

You have proficiency in one of the following skills of your choice: Animal Handling, Medicine, Nature, or Survival.

You also have proficiency with the Herbalism Kit

Languages

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