Homebrew Xvart Species Details

"The moment after they ambushed me and accepted my weasel jerky as a peace offering, I knew I had truly met my match."

— Tanner, Goblin Hero

Xvarts, unlike their bullying Goblin cousins, prefer to maintain a low profile.

 

 

Blue Blood Loyalty

Xvart are unwaveringly loyal to each other, even if they disagree.  Blood may be thicker than water, but Xvart's blue blood is the thickest substance of all.  They view criminal acts as a way of life, and snitching or cooperating with the law is met with severe punishment.

Creepy Con-artists 

Like goblins, Xvarts are weak and a bit grotesque at times.  But Xvarts can act more civilized and sociable than a goblin can. Goblins may kill and pillage in organized packs, but a Xvart is a true artist of crime and not a simple brigand. As they reach adulthood, they each take of role in a caste system based on crime. 

Lookouts. This role is perhaps the safest of Criminal Caste system. A Lookout, is simply stationed to keep watch for danger or trouble. These are the scouts and rangers of the Xvart society.

Grifters. Grifters often work with the help of a Lookout or Bamboozler. They apply their craft to petty or small-scale swindling. These are the masters of disguise and charmers of the Xvart society.  A grifter's victim will eventually realize that they have been tricked, but a good grifter would be both in disguise and long gone by then.

Glomers. A Glomer (glah-mer) is the traditional thief. Whether highway robbery or burglary, these are the daredevils of the Xvart society and possibly, the deadliest.

Bamboozlers. Bamboozlers are fast talkers. Their only goal is to deceive or get the better of someone by trickery, flattery, or  to perplex and mystify their mark.  Theses charismatic Xvarts can get into places other Xvarts cannot and can talk someone into giving them their valuables of their own free will.  The best Bamboozlers are the ones whose victims don't even realize they are victims.

Shills. Xvarts never retire.  When they become elderly, they take the role of Shill.  Shills can command the other Criminal Castes and they must obey.  The Shill's job is be be an accomplice and to entice or encourage others to fall victim to a fellow, younger Xvart.  Shills are in the public eye and spin the truth to protect the reputation of the Xvarts and to keep the law busy following false leads.

 

Xvart Traits

Your Xvart character has the following racial traits.

Overbearing Pack

You have advantage on Strength (Athletics) checks to shove a creature if at least one of your allies is within 5 feet of the target and the ally isn’t incapacitated.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Charisma score increases by 1.

Age

Xvarts reach adulthood at age 8 and live up to 60 years.

Alignment

Xvart are typically neutral evil, as they care only for their own needs. A few xvarts might tend toward good or neutrality, but only rarely.  A lawful xvart is unheard of, but not impossible.

Size

Xvarts are between 3 and 4 feet tall and weigh between 40 and 80 pounds. Your size is Small.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet. 

Darkvision

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 color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Vermin Masters

Rats, bats, and bugs are naturally attracted to xvarts, and xvarts domesticate such beasts for resources such as food and textiles.

You have the ability to communicate in a limited manner with rats, bats, and bugs. They can understand the meaning of your words, though you have no special ability to understand them in return. You have advantage on all Charisma checks you make to influence them.

Low Cunning

Low Cunning. You can take the Disengage action as a bonus action on each of your turns.

 

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Goblin, and Abyssal.