Homebrew Simulacrai Species Details
They said that we had discovered every creature there was to exist in the natural world decades ago. And yet, I have made the discovery of a lifetime! A race of plant-like people, deep beneath the forest floors, unlike any creature I've ever seen. Their unique forms feel akin to our own- humanoid, but not in quite the right way. Yet they are truly beautiful in their near uniqueness.
Now, do I believe any ill will could come from such a secretive people? Nonsense! They've been nothing but nice since I found their nest.
As far as the races go, the Simulacrai are amongst the rarest to find. Purely because it's so easy to go your whole life knowing one and never find out. Only the most keen eyes, and sharpest minds can spot these shapeshifting creatures amongst a crowd, hidden behind the face of another. No one's quite sure where exactly they came from. The stories say that the first of their kind merely emerged from the ground one day, born from long forgotten magics.
Not Quite an Ent...
The Simulacrai are a race of shapeshifters, and so often they can be found taking the form of other races that are humanoid in build. Though they do have a true form, it is rare- and often unlucky- to see it with your own eyes. In build, they vary in many of the ways that other races do; with different heights between 5 to 10ft, differently built bodies and weights, and other very basic bodily characteristics. Their actual bodies themselves are made up of blackened, twisted tree-like roots that wind around each other to form the creature, and typically they will sport horns of varying types made from ashen bark. Some individuals are born blind in their real forms, while others will often have a differing number of red cat-like eyes.
The one characteristic they all share however, is a jaw filled with sharp dagger like teeth designed to capture prey and never let it go.
Simulacrai are born fully matured, emerging from within forests with a high magic activity within or by them.
Opportunistic Hunters
One of the defining features of the Simulacrai is their reputation as cunning and opportunistic hunters who rarely miss a chance to eat. Their voracious appetites have more control over them than most would like to admit- a large group being capable of taking out a small town within weeks. Those within a community will often demonstrate collaborative hunting techniques, working together to ensure they can take down their desired target. Individuals living amongst large settlements of other races will more often than not display scavenger like behaviours, living off anything they can get away with- likely to keep their cover where it matters most. Most know better than to take on more than they can handle.
Though they show a preference specifically for humans and elves, they will eat any creature that comes their way if necessary.
A Need for Socialisation
Though the stereotype with most predatory species is that of being "lone wolves", the Simulacrai are quite the opposite. They have a primal need to socialise with other creatures, often leading to the formation of nests and colonies deep underground when enough of them are in a group together. In these colonies, a lone member will assert dominance over the rest and command undying loyalty from their peers, establishing a culture of community over individuality that they very easily fall in to.
Those that defect from a colony, or don't have one, will often otherwise seek out other forms of social groups with different species. Their strong sense of community will prevent them from becoming aggressive with any creature in their circle of "friends" until seen as absolutely necessary, making them a valuable addition to any team. Granted, they will likely present themselves as a different race. That doesn't change their values.
Though in a few cases, an individuals hunger can drive them away from others instead, striving to put themselves over anyone else in desperation.
Simulacrai Names and Ethnicities
No Simulacrai is born with a name, members merely told apart by their smell and appearance. Usually, they will take on the name of the creature they take the appearance of as part of their cover, meaning they can have a wide variety. In rare cases, they will decide to take a name of their own, showing a preference with those that have links back to nature.
Anywhere there are trees and there is magic, Simulacrai can be born. Though most will eventually wander away from their sites of birth, you can often tell from which kind of forest they were birthed from by the shape of their horns. Tropical forest born members have the smallest horns, temperate forest born members have horns with much more intricate designs akin to deer, and boreal forest born members have the largest and toughest horns of any member.
Simulacrai Traits
Despite their abilities for change, your Simulacrai character will have these traits.Flammability
Your character takes disadvantage against fire based attacks.
Shapeshifter
Your character is able to take on the form of a humanoid creature that it has consumed the flesh of, and change back into its true form at will. Simulacrai aren't capable of taking on completely new forms, or changing one they already have.
Ability Score Increase
Your Charisma and Dexterity score increase by 1.
Age
Simulacrai are born fully matured, and can live up to two hundred years.
Alignment
Simulacrai tend towards a Neutral alignment.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Common and one extra language of your choice. Simulacrai tend to struggle with the concept of language, showing difficulty specifically with different dialects from what they know, but will take on at least the language of their preferred race.