Homebrew Dantepod Species Details

The Dantepod is a race born from a vast underground cave system. Their history is widely unknown, and none have come to understand why they emerged to the surface. Since Dantepods most commonly reside within shaded forests rather than urban locations, their presence may draw curious stares.

 Insect Appearance

 The Dantepods' appearance is reminiscent of the pillbug. The thin shell resting on their backs may range from various shades of white, gray, black, and silver, although other metallic colors are possible. Their bodies are most often thin and their skin clings to their bones. Their body has a wide range of colors, most often a dark beige or a shade of gray. Their four arms are long, most often kept interlocked while pressed against a Dantepod's chest. Their head is a sort of oval shape, with two small eyes barely visible on the face.

Shy Hearths

Dantepods do not often venture far from the forest which they reside in, only leaving when urged to either by another creature or specific events. Within the forest which they have made their home, a Dantepod will rarely attempt an interaction with any race other than its own, and even then the interactions are brief and seldom. On occasion, however, a Dantepod will find another of its kind pleasant to be near, and will request a friendship, which is most often accepted, and the two Dantepods will share a home. Quite rarely, a Dantepod might extend this desire of friendship to another race.

Dantepod Names

Dantepods do not give their children names in the traditional sense. Instead, they refer to another of their kind using a sort of small dance. To simplify interactions with other races, they will give themselves poor interpretations of human names, sometimes using a randomly chosen word from the common tongue.

Dantepod names: Nails, Barcile, Dolgider, Olhiver, Kin, Mencrick, Savnah, Jolie, Ursla, Lorel, Sofa, Daily

Age

Dantepods mature at the age of 10, and usually live to about 60 years.

Alignment

Due to their shy nature, Dantepods are often unwilling to commit evil or chaotic acts, preferring to follow neutral or lawful actions. However, some Dantepods are not as shy as most, and will indulge themselves in a chaotic lifestyle.

Size

Your size is small. Most Dantepods are rather short, and only reach a height of 3-4 feet.

Speed

You have a walking speed of 25.

Dantepod Traits

Dantepods rely on their shells for proper movement, able to move quite swiftly when rolled into a ball.

Languages

You can read, speak, and write in Common.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1

Rolled Up Shell

As an action, you are able to roll into your shell and roll in any direction, and can emerge from your shell as a bonus action. While doing this, you gain a +20 to your walking speed, and you gain a +2 bonus to AC. You cannot use items of any kind while in this state.

Four Arms

As a Dantepod, you have four arms. You can use two-weapon fighting even when the one-handed melee weapons you are wielding aren’t light.

Darkvision

Your ancestors resided only in caves, allowing you sight in dark environments. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.