Homebrew Bugfolk Species Details
THIS RACE WAS MADE BY U/ANNOYINGLIBTARD ON REDDIT (and slightly adjusted by me)
A Diverse People
The types of insects found across the world are many and varied. Most tend to be tiny and rotund, with a rounded shell protecting their soft bodies. However, Bugfolk vary widely with their coloration, and in other aspects too: some can fly, some prefer to crawl, some are wandering loners, and some live in special hives.
Underground Cities
Most Bugfolk belong to one of several insect kingdoms hidden underground. At its peak, Hallownest was the greatest Bugfolk kingdom in existence; in fact, it is to Hallownest's ruler, the Pale King, that many bugs owe their sentience. Hallownest eventually met its demise at the hands of a deadly plague that pitted its residents against one another, and since its fall the Bugfolk have been far worse off.
Bugfolk cities are elaborate in their construction, containing all the amenities common to the cities of larger races like humans or elves but on a tinier scale. These cities are their refuges from the wars and chaos of the surface.
Unnoticed
Bugfolk rarely interact with those larger than themselves. However, they do have distinct opinions about other races:
Dwarves. "Dwarves are far too loud. They're always banging away at some rock or another!"
Elves "Elves are really tall! They seem to be nice to animals though. Too bad they don't seem to notice us."
Humans. "Humans are mean. They dig up our mounds and cities, or plow them over for their fields. They don't seem to recognize that we have just as much right to that land as they do."
Puny Gods
The Bugfolk are very devoted to their gods, even going so far as to start wars over different theologies. The Mosskin, residents of a lush region that they call Greenpath, worship Unn, a primordial slug deity of the Nature domain. The Husks worship the Pale King, their former ruler and an ascended deity of the Order domain. Other groups of Bugfolk have their own deities that they too worship just as devoutly. Most larger races would be unaware of the existences of these gods, but that makes them no less real to the Bugfolk.
Bugfolk Names
All bugs are given a name at birth, but by adulthood they rarely use it. Instead, most go by a title such as Menderbug or Elderbug that is based on upon their profession or status in society. If multiple Bugfolk have the same title, they will append their name to the end of it for differentiation (i.e. Menderbug Berri, Minerbug Myla). Below are a few sample names:
Male Names: Achard, Aubert, Bram, Clovis, Darri, Galien, Guilbert, Jean, Luc, Myles, Nico
Female Names: Adeline, Berri, Emelie, Fleurine, Isabe, Juliette, Maria, Myla, Ophelie
Titles: Menderbug, Archivebug, Mapbug, Minerbug, Masonbug, Elderbug, Youngbug, Gravebug, etc.
Thinking Tiny
When playing as a Bugfolk, you have to remember that your character is very, very small. They won't be able to lift or even interact with humanoid (medium) scaled items, and so it is recommended that you replace your starting gear with thematically similar but smaller-scaled items, such as nails for swords or needles for rapiers.
For DMs: If your players are Bugfolk, keep in mind that most human-scaled monsters and challenges will be insurmountable for their minuscule characters. Scale things down for them; perhaps you could have the players delve into the lost ruins of one of the underground kingdoms, discovering the reasons for its fall.
Bugfolk Traits
Despite their wide varieties of sizes, shapes, and colors, there are a few general traits that almost all Bugfolk share:
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 2, and your Dexterity score increases by 3. You also gain advantage on Stealth checks.
Age. Bugfolk generally live 45-55 years, reaching maturity at 5 years of age.
Alignment. You could have any one of the variety of alignments, but Bugfolk are generally Neutral oriented when it comes to the conflicts of the outside world, being too small to make much of a difference.
Language. You can speak, read, and write Hallowscript, and can read Common. Your jaw is improperly structered to speak terrestrial languages beside common, however.
Size. Bugfolk range in height from about 6 inches to a foot, MAYBE up to 1 and a half feet. Your size is Tiny. Due to your size, you gain -6 to Strength saving throws.
Speed. You have a base walking speed of 20 feet; it takes you a little longer to cover ground than it would someone who is larger.
Subrace. You may choose one of the Bugfolk subraces, detailed at the end of this section.
Tough Shell. While you are unarmored, you gain a +1 bonus to AC.
Weak Darkvision. You can see 20 feet in darkness, and in dim light as if it were bright light. You cannot see color in darkness.
Subrace: Hiveling
Capable of flight, these fuzzy bees serve their queen unquestioningly. Their hive's strength comes from the collective knowledge of their people.
Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score increases by 1.
Flight. You have a flying speed equal to your walking speed. For your movement, you may choose to either walk or fly distance traveled, but if you end your movement (or are rendered prone, unconscious, or incapacitated) while in the air, taking damage from the fall as normal. Attacks made against you have disadvantage while you are airborne.
Subrace: Husk
Chubby and jovial, Husks were once the dominant people of the kingdom of Hallownest. They are industrious workers, willing to devote themselves wholly to a task or cause.
Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 1.
Hardworking. You gain proficiency in a skill of your choice and in an artisan tool or weapon of your choice.
Subrace: Mosskin
The Mosskin are aloof and mysterious, devotees of the ancient deity Unn. They commune closely with plants, even going so as to cultivate the growth of moss or ferns on their own bodies.
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Blend In. Once per short rest, you may choose to reroll a failed stealth check. If you choose to use this ability, you must accept the new roll.
Subrace: Weaver
The Weavers were always a secretive group, residing on the outskirts of Deepnest. Resembling spiders in appearance, they are skilled in the weaving of both silk and the arcane fabric of reality itself.
Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by 1.
Silk. As an action on your turn, you may choose an adjacent tiny or small creature and force them to make a Strength saving throw DC 12. If they fail, they are Restrained by silken threads for 1 minute or until they pass the saving throw, which they may make again at the end of each of their turns. You can use this ability a number of times equal to your Constitution modifier per long rest (Minimum of once).
Variant Subrace: Vessel
Crafted in order to slow the destruction of a deadly plague, Vessels are empty bugs lacking a soul or free will. They are, however, the epitome of combat perfection. However, due to magic, they can gain souls and personality, as well as the feeling of pain and emotions.
Ability Score Adjustment. Your strength and Dexterity scores both increase by 1, but your wisdom score is decreased by 1.
No Will to Break. You have resistance to Psychic damage, and advantage on saving throws against being Frightened.
Bugfolk Traits
Despite their wide varieties of sizes, shapes, and colors, there are a few general traits that almost all Bugfolk share:Ability Score Increase
Your Constitution score increases by 2, and your Dexterity score increases by 3. You also gain advantage on Stealth checks.
Age
Bugfolk generally live 45-55 years, reaching maturity at 5 years of age. However you can increase your age quite easily due to magic.
Alignment
You could have any one of the variety of alignments, but Bugfolk are generally Neutral oriented when it comes to the conflicts of the outside world, being too small to make much of a difference.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Hallowscript, and can read Common. Your jaw is improperly structered to speak terrestrial languages beside common, however.
Size
Bugfolk range in height from about 6 inches to a foot, MAYBE up to 1 and a half feet. Your size is Tiny.
Speed
You have a base walking speed of 20 feet; it takes you a little longer to cover ground than it would someone who is larger.
Subrace
You may choose one of the Bugfolk subraces, detailed at the end of this section.
Tough Shell
While you are unarmored, you gain a +1 bonus to AC.
Weakened Darkvision
You can see 20 feet in darkness, and in dim light as if it were bright light. You cannot see color in darkness.
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