Homebrew Norker Species Details

Cruel, vicious, and lazy even by the standards of goblinoids, norkers are tough humanoids whose long, sharp fangs and thick, bony exoskeletons make them well-suited to the ranks of hobgoblin armies. Unfortunately for their would-be masters, norkers are rebellious, truculent, and prone to indolence unless watched with a keen eye and a hand that is quick to snap a whip.

Denizens of the Deep Earth

In the ancient days, norkers were found deep within the earth. They were always few in number, and their god was a cruel, merciless tyrant who kept his children close and the outside world at a distance. This long-lost god may have been Maglubiyet’s first conquest and his followers the initial, unwilling recruits into his crusade. Today, hobgoblins chafe at the suggestion that creatures as lazy and untamed as norkers could claim such an honor. For that reason alone, hobgoblin warlords are loath to use these creatures, preferring to keep them around as disposable labor in mines and quarries.

Nasty, Brutish, and Short

Even goblins bully and harass norkers, as hobgoblins place the norkers at the bottom of the goblinoid ranks, yet the norkers’ ferocity, tough hides, and sharp fangs allow them to rise up and defeat goblinoids that underestimate the norkers’ strength and ferocity. For this reason, norkers are likely encountered away from their brethren.

Their natural armor and weapons make them dangerous foes even when relegated to menial labor. Only the dictates of Maglubiyet have prevented the hobgoblins from hunting down and exterminating these creatures.

A Legacy of Hatred

Given their ancient defeat and terrible treatment at the hands of other goblinoids, the norkers have developed a peculiar sect of Maglubiyet worshipper. They call him the Great Scourge and believe that mortal life is a cruel test.

Those norkers whose skin can withstand any blow and whose fangs sink deep into their enemies will be shepherded to paradise. To the norkers, all other creatures are enemies. Strong creatures can be mollified with servitude and obsequious begging, while weaker ones are victims for their fangs and clubs.

Norker Names

Norkers are given a surname at birth, but often exchange it later in life during monumental moments. Norker names are given by the norker parents, unless a hobgoblin oversees the birth, then the hobgoblin will name the child. The names chosen by hobgoblins are typically insults to further lower the norkers place in the goblinoid hierarchy.

Male Names: Abrak, Akrin, Belfik, Brenko, Cudrik, Cikim, Frush, Kamik, Vlok, Zakzu

Female Names: Adreia, Ako, Benta, Breek, Cullsh, Didrim, Dreesh, Tinko, Sadra, Zilla

Norker Traits

Your norker character has the following traits.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Norkers mature around 15 and often live to their late 90's.

Alignment

Due to their naturally rebellious nature, norkers tend towards Chaotic alignments.

Size

Norkers, as the runts of goblinoids, tend to be 3 feet tall and weight 50 pounds. Your size is Small.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Natural Armor

Your unarmored armorclass equals 13 + your Constitution modifier and your hit points increase by 1, and increase by 1 again each time you gain a level.

Bite

You have a natural bite attack you may make as a bonus action, dealing 1d6 + your Strength modifier piercing damage.

Darkvision

You can see in dim light as if it where normal for 60 feet, and darkness as if it where dim light for 60 feet. In darkness you can't discern color, only shades of grey.

Defensive Rebuke

When a creature within 5 feet of you makes a melee attack, you make make a bite attack against the creature as a reaction.

Natural Athlete

You have proficiency in the Athletics skill.

Languages

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