Homebrew Ankai Species Details

Sister Cities

Aletopelta is built in the desert, built by the Aletokai. Magnus is built along the Albertan River in the Valley of the Elderpines by the Magnukai. They may be kin but they are not allies. They are strangers, both populations reluctant of the other. Some Ankai favor an alliance, some Ankai feel that looking after “their own kind” is hard enough. Aletopelta and Magnus are both well fortified cities with very different walls, but behind those walls are two similar cultures. 

Mangnus

Built along the Albertan river, strong palisades and spike walls surround their businesses, homes, and town square. The only entrance is over a draw bring across the river, the river has carved into the valley and the water is about 80 feet down. You can see wooden spikes buried into the sides of the ravine to brace your fall. This stronghold of a city was built by the Magnukai. The Tyran had mostly kept to their mountains, and the Deinon Clan to their grasslands beyond, but more and more groups of them go on raids now; killing and eating alive the Dinosaurfolk of the Valley of the Elderpines. But safe behind their walls their culture has still flourished. Monthly there is a great feast which everyone attends where they test their weapons and armor they have made. Smiths sometimes fight to the death in a barbaric display of power and superior craftsmanship. The smiths of Magnus are known for their craftsmanship of steel weapons and armor. They have not shared the secret of however they do produce arms for those who have the coin. 

Aletopelta

30 foot tall, 6ft thick walls made from red stone, full of iron, surround a city of adobe-like structures surrounding a large oasis in the desert south of the Sarcos River. The soil here is not loose sand like most of the desert. The ground surrounding the oasis is hard clay. The oasis is believed to be the home of a deity that blesses this land and allows for the Aletokai to live and thrive here and keep the oasis full of fresh clean water. The Aletokai have not discovered steel craft, but even without it their armament is the superior to the smiths in their area. They too have a monthly festival where foraging parties return from distant oasis’s with new herbs and fruits and vegetables and the smiths have warriors spar and test out their arms. The water from the Aletokaiian oasis magically helps make metal lighter yet more dense. The Aletokai have learned what a blessing it is to be light on the desert, because most dangers lurk beneath the sands. 

Ankaiian Religion

The Ankai all worship the sun god and believe that one of their own long ago ascended to become a deity, her name was Vethali. Once Queen of Magnus she personally led an attack on the Tyran and met a controversial fate. She is known as the Goddess of protection now. It is believed by the Aletokai that she survived and asked to be buried at the bottom of the oasis and it is her spirit that gives its water it’s mystic abilities. Most of the Magnukai believe she died fighting the Tyran on their mountain. Some would rather believe she survived the Tyran, but all believe she ascended. 

Ancient Bloodline

Like all Dinosaurfolk, they have a deep connection with the dinosaurs of Pangexzil. Believing them to be incarnations of souls yet to be born as Dinosaurfolk, and occasionally as reincarnations of ancestors and deceased Dinosaurfolk. With the utmost respect the Ankai will still kill dinosaurs out of survival. Believing they are releasing the soul to be born again. 

Ankai Traits

The Ankai are covered with natural armor and a club tail, they seek to perfect this form and over centuries have become master smiths.

Ability Score Increase

+2 con, +1 str, and either +1 cha, +1 wis, +1 dex, or +1 int

Age

The Ankai reach adulthood by age 15, living up to 400 years

Alignment

Most Stegosi are Lawful, but not all, and they tend toward Good, but some are more neutral than others.

Size

They stand up to 6 and a half feet tall and weigh up to 400 lbs. Your size is medium.

Ancient Bloodline

All Dinosaurfolk have a deep spiritual connection with the dinosaurs of Pangexzil, they have advantage on animal handling checks involving dinosaurs.

In addition the Ankai have the ability to speak with ankylosaurs and the ability to release a deep guttural call that can reach up to six miles in every direction in your voice is not blocked. All ankylosaurs in a 6 mile radius will come to your call, but they will only answer once a day. Keeping in mind ankylosaurs are limited in how they can comprehend and respond to questions and orders.

Unarmored Defense

You have dense scaly skin, and on your back you have dense bone armor. When you aren’t wearing armor, your AC is 14 + your Constitution modifier. You will use your natural armor if the armor you wear would lower your AC. A shield’s benefits apply as normal while you use natural armor. 

Club tail

In addition to the Ankai’s thick bony natural armor, their tail is tipped with a dense bony club. On a hit deals one D10 + your Strength modifier, and the target must make a Dexterity saving throw beating DC 12 + your Strength modifier. You are proficient.

Language

Dinosaurian (Ankaiiaan), Draconic, and Common

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.