Homebrew Yautja Species Details

Billy: There's something out there waiting for us, and it ain't no man. We're all gonna die.

Age

Yautja can live up to 1000 years old, but due to their lifestyle only 2% of Yautja actually live that long.

Size

The Yautja are a bipedal lifeform, definitely distinguishable from most lifeforms, including humans. The species is 7+ feet tall, weighing in at over 450 lbs. However, there are rare instances where some are born 6ft-8ft and taller.

The creature possesses reptilian-like skin, which varies in color, similarly to the genetic diversity found in humans. They don't have hair like a normal human, but have hair-like appendages. Their heads are also known to have some quills on them.

Language

The Yautja are known to have their very own language, both written and spoken. The spoken form of the language usually has a series of clicks, roars, snarls and growls and their language comes in dialects, similar to the languages spoken by Humans. Their language consists of patterns made from dashes, which is somewhat similar to human languages and it is shown on many of their weapons, armor and devices. They are also capable of mimicking languages they hear through their bio-masks, as well as repeat or replay sentences, however it is unknown as to how much of the language they can truly learn, but it's not impossible for them to learn. Yautja are also known to communicate successfully through sign language. They are not opposed to showing humor, mostly by rapidly clicking their tusks.

The Hunt

Yautja culture revolves around the stalking and hunting of dangerous lifeforms. Yautja primarily hunt not for sustenance or the elimination of threats, but purely as a means of entertainment and proof of worth. As such, they will only attack life forms that have the ability, natural or technological, to provide them with a challenge. After making a kill, a Predator may mutilate the corpse and turn it into a trophy — this is done only for prey who were considered worthy. This process can involve skinning (often while the victim is still alive), decapitating or removing the skull and spine from the carcass, or even removing all of the bones from the body altogether. Defeat in a Hunt typically results in the Predator committing honorable suicide.

Honor code

Rules that govern day-to-day interactions of Yautja as well as the Hunt. It details under what circumstances a hunter may kill a creature of another species and under what circumstances they may not. The code is strict, and to break it - purposefully, accidentally, or even unwillingly - is a near irredeemable offense in many situations. Only very high ranked seasoned warriors, or very low ranked novices, such as Young Blood and Un-Blooded Yautja, are permitted any leeway as far as the code is concerned.

1. Hunting Worthy Game: When hunting, the hunter must be sure that his prey is considered game and lawful to kill. Sometimes the hunter will equal the odds (not using a Plasmacaster or some similar ranged weapon). Worthy game must fill the following criteria: Can defend itself and/or is able to kill the hunter himself, of age (killing children and the elderly is considered the height of bad manners), not linked to other lives (so that removing the prey will not doom another, e.g. pregnant women), and not weakened by diseases.
2. Failing in the Hunt: Should the hunter fail in one's quest he usually takes his own life, preferring to die in honor than to live in shame. However, some cowards prefer to live in obscurity rather than die. This is considered to be dishonorable and suicide is then "assisted" by an Enforcer.
3. Claiming the Kill of Another Hunter: To take the Trophy of another Yautja, living or dead, is considered to be a great insult. For example, two Un-Blooded go on their first Hunt: one Yautja takes on a Black Death and both are mortally wounded. While the wounded hunter is dying, the other hunter conveniently finishes off the prey and claims the kill as his own, abandoning the wounded Yautja. This is a crime paid for with abandonment by the clan, marooning the hunter on that world with no equipment whatsoever, this includes the loss of both weapons and armor.
4. Murder of Another Yautja: To kill another Yautja intentionally. This excludes self-defense and killing a foe in a wrestling match to settle a dispute. Murder is the worst crime.
5. Never harm the innocent: Those who have done no harm should have no harm done to them. (It can be inferred that this rule must pertain only to harming other Yautja in their society since they hunt and kill members of many species one could call "innocent". It can also be inferred that Bad Blood Predators would ignore this rule either in part or in whole.)
6. Hunting for Food: When hunting for food, take only the weak. This is to purify the species' line.
7. Wounded Game: When coming upon game wounded by another hunter, and the prey is dying without sport, show honor to another's kill. If the game still shows sport, it is to be a joint trophy.
8. Joining Another Hunt: Do not join another's Hunt, or Hunt in their territory, without their permission. All trophies taken in this manner are stolen trophies and shall be dealt with by the rightful owner.
9. Mercy: Those who defeat you in a fair Hunt, or who are the victors in a deadlier hunt (such as a battle with the Xenomorph Queen), and show you mercy are to be considered our equals. You must either kill both them and yourself or bestow them with a reward.
10. Code Violations: Those who break the code are renegades, and no longer considered to be a Yautja. They are to be destroyed when encountered.
11. Never Harm the diseased or Offspring: Yautja are known to have a very strict law on the killing of those pregnant with infants and those who are sick. Usually, when they hunt and encounter both, the Yautja is to let them live. The only exception to the rule is if any ill prey poses a threat. Although that applies to the ill, Yautja are to never kill those who are pregnant even if they pose a threat.
12. When in a duel with an enemy, you must reveal yourself: it is "hunting ethic" to reveal yourself to your enemy at the climax of a fight.

 

Yautja Traits

All Yautja have the following racial traits.

Ability Score Increase

+2 to strength, +1 to two abilities (excluding charisma) -2 to charisma

Size

The Yautja are a bipedal lifeform, definitely distinguishable from most lifeforms, including humans. The species is 7+ feet tall, weighing in at over 450 lbs., however there are rare instances where some are born to be a 6ft-8ft and taller.

The creature possesses reptilian-like skin, which varys in color, similarly to the genetic diversity found in humans. They don't have hair like a normal human, but have hair-like appendages. Their heads are also known to have some quills on them.

Final Stand

When taking a hit that would reduce them to 0 hit points they instead go to 1 hit point

Bio Mask

Out to 30 feet the Yautja can see any creature that is not behind full cover. Has 2 charges per long rest 

Natural Athlete

You are an expert with Athletics

Active Cloaking

Once per long rest the Yautja can activate a cloaking device turning invisible for one hour.

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. Everything you see in darkness is in a shade of red.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet You also have a climbing speed of 30 feet