Homebrew Fauna Species Details

A Broad Spectrum

Faunus, much like humans, are an incredibly diverse race. An individual can stand from 5 feet to a little over 6 feet tall and weigh from 125 to 250 pounds. Their skin tones and hair color can range drastically from muted, dull colors to bright, lively ones. Some Faunus have thick patches of fur while others can have clusters of scales. Some people believe Faunus to be the offspring of man and beast; perhaps through fey influence? Not many fully know. Though many faunus can trace their ancestry back to a tabaxi or dragonborn grandparent, some have a bit more difficulty finding the answers in their blood lines. The Faunus have a distinct, slightly more bestial appearance than their human parent, many taking on minor animal traits. Faunus are slightly more long-lived than humans, reaching adulthood in their late teens and potentially living for over 150 years.

Strength in Culture

Much like humans, Faunus are a highly adaptable and ambitious race. They have widely varying tastes, morals, and customs in the many different lands where they have settled. Though most Faunus are left in relative peace, some lands and Nations are certainly more accepting of them than others. Several small Faunus communities exist in the Western Continent of Oyura, even thriving to the East in Zera. While the Faunus have struggled in the past to pin down homesteads and societies of their own, they have a thriving culture, passed down from generation to generation. An individual Faunus might have a relatively short life span, but their culture preserves traditions with origins far beyond the reach of any single Faunus' memory. 

 

They live fully in the present — making them well suited to the adventuring life — but also plan for the future, striving to leave a lasting legacy. Individually and as a group, Faunus are adaptable opportunists, and they stay alert to changing political and social dynamics. Most of them may not be old enough to remember the worst of Faunus' oppression, many of them still face occasional discrimination now and then.

Lasting Institutions

Faunus have struggled to make their mark in history and on society; members of the race are hard to come by, after all. Faunus settlements exist to create a pocket of evidence that they exist and that they lived rich, fulfilling lives. Faunus have a strong desire to leave something - a legacy - behind, ensuring that they will be remembered when they are gone. Some nurture this by having offspring and dedicating themselves to becoming loving parents, educating their children. Others seek to become heroes of legend, making a clear mark and being remembered in the tales of bards. Others stay within their settlements, ensuring that their lands are protected and secure; that there is even a history to speak of.

 

Generally speaking, Faunus societies are remarkably inclusive, welcoming most other races with open arms. Though Faunus tend to have a slight suspicion towards humans and other "common" races, as those races tend to be inclined towards judgement, prejudice, and oppression. Though many Faunus are born from these races, so this tension is normally rather easily put behind them.

 

Faunus Names

Similar to humans, Faunus as a whole have no typical names. Some Faunus parents give their children names from other languages, such as Dwarvish or Elvish (pronounced more or less correctly), but most parents give names that are linked to their region’s culture or to the naming traditions of their ancestors. For example, a scaled Faunus might receive a name befitting a Dragonborn. Most often, these names are rooted in nature, though some prefer to reference color in general, often relating to the child's hair or eyes. For example, a baby with black hair might be named Pitch.

 

Fauna Traits

Gamers

Ability Score Increase

 Your Wisdom ability score increases by 2.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Sylvan and one extra language of your choice. 

Faunus typically learn the languages of other peoples they deal with, including obscure dialects. They are fond of sprinkling their speech with words borrowed from other tongues: Orc curses, Elvish musical expressions, Dwarvish military phrases, and so on.

Night Vision

Thanks to your bestial heritage, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. 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 colour in darkness, only shades of grey.

Eared

Your animal trait manifests as an additional set of ears (you choose the animal), granting you superior hearing to most other races.