Homebrew Bomok Species Details

Bonds of the Bomok

Loyalty is perhaps the most important thing to a Bomok, and their culture heavily revolves around that ideal. Bomok form tight bonds of loyalty to those they grow closest to, whether that be their family, ruler, or even members oeir own adventuring party. It is a rare and almost unheard of phenomena for any Bomok to be decietful and unfaithful in practically any way. As much as they stay true to their friends, they also stay true to their enemies. There is never a question as to when you have invoked the ire of a Bomok. They will let you know.

Earning the trust of a Bomok is a rare and challenging thing to do. It is an immense honor and it signals one's own valor and worth to those around you. Once you have one on your side, they will never willingly leave you, going so far as to put your own safety over their own, and as such are almost infallibly reliable in a pinch.

Loyalty has such a huge influence on Bomok culture that it is even used to convey social status amongst other members of the species. The most well respected Bomok are the ones that have formed the strongest bonds, some of which can even last generations. Conversely, Bomok deplore any and all acts of betrayal and treachery, viewing them as acts against their very way of life. Any Bomok found commiting such heinous acts are forever cast out in the eyes of others, and such exile is usually accompanied by the cropping of the traitor's right ear.

Fierce Guardians

The Bomok have been blessed with astounding senses and awareness. Their highly tuned ears and noses make them very capable at sensing danger, tracking prey, or finding things that have been lost. Bomok will often put these talents to use as guards or watchmen, protecting others and keeping watch over important locations and people. If their charge ever does come under threat, there can be no doubt that a Bomok will defend it to their last breath.

On constant vigil, a Bomok is rarely, if ever caught off-guard, even in casual settings. They have their heads ever on a swivel, searching for signs of danger or threat. They have uncanny awareness of their surroundings, and even older Bomok, whose hearing may be fraying, still retain their astounding sense of smell. Hardly anything can escape the notice of a watchful Bomok.

Aptitude for Learning

One of the most endearing but lesser known things about the Bomok is their aptitude for learning. Most people view Bomok as a harsh and standoffish race, but they are as eager and curious as any, perhaps more so than most. They take to new skills very swiftly, and have been known to master trades and skills in half the time it normally takes others. Because of this, Bomok are able to excel in a wide variety of things, and can often be found with multiple skills or talents honed to excellence.

Some Bomok will even take to following around an individual who possesses a skill they are interested in and begin to learn the skill simply by watching the other perform it. Such tendencies make Bomok exceptional apprentices and pupils in all sorts of areas, from blacksmithing to wizardry, and everything in between. As artisans, this aptitude allows them to excel in a wide variety of crafts, rather than focus on just one, and many a Bomok trader can be expected to know half a dozen languages or more.

Bomok Names

Bomok names typically follow the tradition of the local culture, but can be expected to have short syllables and deep, basal sounds akin to the barking and growling of their ancestors.

Male Names: Aaron, Alf, Arno, Boris, Cain, Duran, Edd, Fargo, Klaus, Mortimer, Paul, Rolf, Rudy, Sid, Winston

Female Names: Amber, Anne, Barb, Bella, Cheska, Diana, Elwyr, Gertrude, Hadda, Nenna, Ora, Rhea, Sam, Zelda

Bomok Traits

The proud Bomok race all share the following traits, exemplifying their fierce loyalty and daunting physique.

Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Dexterity score increases by 1.

Age. Bomok mature at a faster rate than humans, reaching adulthood around age 12. They age faster, and tend not to live past the age of 75.

Alignment. Most Bomok tend towards either good or lawful alignments, but may shift towards the alignments of those they give their loyalty to.

Size. Bomok are typically 6 to 7 feet tall and average around 200 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Fast Learner. The time it takes to learn a new language, tool, weapon, or skill proficiency is halved.

Bite. Because of your fierce bite, your teeth are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier, instead of bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Keen Hearing and Smell. You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.

Hound's Vigil. You gain proficiency in the Perception skill. In addition, before you roll initiative, you can give yourself advantage on the roll. Once you use this feature, you must finish a long rest before you can use it again.

impose disadvantage on that attack.

If the attack misses, the attacker must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or become frightened of you until the end of its next turn. The DC for this saving throw is 10+ your Charisma modifier.

Once you use this feature, you must finish a long rest before you can use it again.

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

Bomok Traits

STR increases by 2 and DEX increases by 1

Fast Learner

The time it takes to learn a new language, tool, weapon, or skill proficiency is halved.

Keen Hearing and Smell

You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.