Homebrew Derro Species Details

"Mad as hatters, every one of them. No derro has ever been sane, but neither is every form of madness a hindrance."

- Mordenkainen

Derro slink through the subterranean realms, seeking places that are safe from the perils of the Underdark. Equal parts fearful and vicious, bands of these dwarfkin prey on those weaker than themselves, while giving simpering obeisance to any creatures they deem more powerful. Wild-haired, haggard, shuddering, and shabbily dressed, a lone derro seems a pitiable creature, but when a cackling, spitting, growling, howling horde of them attacks, the sight inspires both fear and revulsion.

Madness and Sorcery

Fractious in groups and individually weak, derro would have been driven to extinction long ago but for two elements of their character. They have an inborn tendency toward paranoia, a peculiarity that serves them well as they navigate the dangers of the Underdark and its societies. They also have a stronger-than-normal tendency to develop sorcerous power. Individuals who do so become their leaders, known as savants. The derro consider these sorcerers to be specially blessed by their deity, Diirinka.

Forgotten Duergar

Derro Madness

All derro suffer from a form of madness that most often manifests as mania and paranoia, but other mental afflictions and strange tics also commonly affect them. Derro take little notice of odd behavior in their ranks, except when an individual displays the characteristics of a savant. They believe the strange behavior of savants arises because those leaders carry messages from Diirinka. 

Derro Traits

As a Derro character, you gain the following features and traits.

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 1, and your Dexterity or Charisma score increases by 2 (your choice).

Age

Derro mature like and have lifespans comparable to that of Dwarves.

Alignment

Derro lean towards chaotic alignments, and are most commonly evil.

Darkvision

Accustomed to life underground, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 120 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.

Sunlight Sensitivity

You have disadvantage on attack rolls and on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight when you, the target of your attack, or whatever you are trying to perceive is in direct sunlight.

Magic Resistance

You have advantage on saving throws made against spells and other magical effects

Insane

You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed or frightened.

Additionally, you have madness that can manifest as mania or paranoia, or as one of the following oddities:

d20	Oddity
1	You never bathe or change clothes
2	You fret with your hair or mustache
3	You speak to people who aren't there
4	You walk backwards whenever possible
5	You never look others in the eye
6	You gnash your teeth after every sentence
7	You spit out half of each mouthful of food or drink
8	You insult everyone after first addressing them
9	You touch whoever you're speaking to
10	You see the spirits of the dead leaving their bodies
11	You faint when subjected to bright light
12	You frequently lick your palms
13	You hear voices
14	You're terrified of writing
15	You taste objects
16	You stand to close to others
17	You breathe loudly
18	You drool constantly
19	You mumble when speaking
20	You hop from place to place

Stealthy

You have proficiency with the Stealth skill.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Undercommon and Dwarvish.