Homebrew Warcraft: Pandaren Species Details

The Pandaren were among the races who settled in the lands surrounding the Vale of Eternal Blossoms roughly 15,000 years before the First War. Thanks to their wise and peaceful nature, they forged a strong bond with four Wild Gods who dwelled in the area — Chi-Ji, Niuzao, Xuen and Yu'lon. Referring to the Wild Gods as the "August Celestials," the Pandaren formed a system of worship around the four, and in turn, the Celestials granted the Pandaren knowledge and helped them hone their ties to philosophy and nature. Even in the ages before the old empire, there is evidence that the Pandaren love of learning had created epic poems, agriculture, and medicine.

The Thunder King saw great potential in the Pandaren, and for this reason he did not trust them. After he conquered the land, the Pandaren were forbidden to learn to read or write. Their leaders and philosophers were executed and all Pandaren art and literature was burned. Mogu taskmasters forbade their slaves to carry weapons. The Pandaren were reduced to a race of slaves. The lucky ones clowned enough to entertain their Mogu masters. Those Pandaren lived in stone palaces, and their lives knew relative luxury. But that luxury ended when a joke offended and only the snapping of a spine or the popped removal of a head could inspire more Mogu laughter. During these dark times, Pandaren monks tried to lift the spirits of their beleaguered brothers and sisters. They were the storytellers, the brewmasters, and the healers who helped knit their oppressed society together in the midst of darkness.

As the Mogu empire began to fray, the Pandaren saw an opportunity for a revolution. Because they had no weapons, they trained common people to fight with their unarmed fists and feet. They mastered the use of positive energy — or chi — to empower themselves. The revolution itself was a bloody affair that shattered an empire and left a terrible toll among combatant and civilian alike, but ultimately the Mogu were overthrown and a new empire was founded. Although Pandaren monks have since incorporated weapons into their attacks, they remain focused on chi as a source of power and are still devastating when fighting with open hands. 12,000 years ago the Pandaren, through tenacity, diplomacy, and a unique form of unarmed combat, staged a successful revolution that deposed the Mogu and established an empire that would prosper for thousands of years. While the Mogu were overthrown in a desperate revolution led by the Pandaren, their legacy persists in thousand year-old ruins too immense to fall.

Today, the Pandaren primarily reside in the forests, farms, and mountaintops of the continent of Pandaria, in the south side of the Great Sea. A second civilization of Pandaren dwells on the back of the giant turtle known as Shen-zin Su, who travels around Azeroth's seas. Millennia after the Sundering, a Pandaren by the name of Liu Lang set out to explore the world on Shen-zin Su, returning each year to Pandaria to pick up more adventurers to join him on the back of his ever-growing companion. Eventually, the turtle grew large enough for entire buildings and towns to be constructed upon his back, and the Pandaren began referring to him as the "Wandering Isle".

Most Pandaren are the type to stay at home, not cause trouble, and not make waves. The Pandaren of the Wandering Isle (and a few from Pandaria proper) experience a wanderlust that forces them to explore the world, experience its mysteries, and taste its brews.

Warcraft: Pandaren Traits

+2 Constitution, +1 Charisma, Bouncy, Quaking Palm, Epicurean, Inner Peace

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Pandaren reach maturity by age 16. Pandaren don't usually live longer than 130 years.

Alignment

Few Pandaren are evil or chaotic, but there are some on Pandaria who see the desire to explore the world as the very definition of chaotic.

Size

Adult Pandaren are typically between 5 and 6 feet in height. They pack on the pounds much more readily than some other races, as they see a round belly as a sign of strength and good fortune. Most Pandaren males are between 200 to 300 lbs, and the females tend to be between 180 to 240 lbs. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Bouncy

Your big fluffy body belies the nimble skill of your people's martial artist traditions. When you take damage from falling, reduce that damage by half (rounded down).

Quaking Palm

You understand how Chi moves through the body, and can manipulate the flow of that energy by striking an opponent's pressure points. As a bonus action, you may force the target to make a Constitution saving throw or be stunned until the end of your next turn. You may use this ability a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus. You regain all uses after you finish a short or long rest.

Epicurian

You gain proficiency with Brewers Supplies and Cook's Utensils.

Inner Peace

Time spent in meditation focuses your chi and aids in healing the body and mind. When you roll hit dice to regain health as part of a short rest, you double the bonus provided by your Constitution modifier to the total amount healed.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Pandaren, and one other language of your choice.