Homebrew Yautja Species Details

Physiology

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Appearance

The Yautja are a bipedal lifeform, definitely distinguishable from most lifeforms, including humans. The species is 7+ feet tall, weighing in at over 520 lb., however there are rare instances where some are born to be a 6ft-8ft and taller. They possess arthropod-like mandibles and no visible nostrils whatsoever, however the mandibles are believed to be used in mating, feeding and even as a means of conveying the emotion of the creature. 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 which many refer to as dreadlocks. Their heads are also known to have some quills on them.

Physical Abilities

The Yautja are a very resilient species and has shown it on many occasions. They are able to take multiple wounds from ranged weapons with little to no medical attention, as well as surviving levels of radiation fatal to humans and other lifeforms. Their resilience also extends to their resilience to bacteria and viruses. Clearly they are physically stronger than humans lifeforms similar to humans and it extends to shattering solid concrete. They're abilities also extend to their lower half, as the creature can leap 3x it's height and land 10x that, landing safely on it's feet with no after effects. They are very skilled climbers, preferring to hunt from above, likely in areas where there's plenty of trees or high buildings. They can survive in the extreme cold, however prefer a hot jungle-like climate.

The Yautja also have an extremely long lifespan, making it's age almost impossible to pin point. Their blood, which is a luminescent green phosphor in nature, is able to give them such a long lifespan and any exposed to it, gain an extended life and enhanced strength. It's also capable of partially neutralizing the highly acidic blood of their Xenomorph prey. They are shown to be a carnivorous or possibly omnivorous creature, as they have shown to feed on meat. Those exposed to Chemical A0-3959X.91-15 have been however shown to resort to cannibalism. In terms of their sight, the Yautja are known to see only in the infrared spectrum, hunting by the heat of their prey. Their technology, mostly in their bio-mask however allows them to expand on this, ranging from low infrared to high ultraviolet and other types of vision, even to see Xenomorphs.

Communication

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.

Culture & Technology 

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Culture

As stated before, the Yautja base their culture around the hunt. This is usually considered ritualistic for them, as they seek the universe's most worthy adversaries to challenge and wish to face them in fair combat. If defeated, the Yautja hunting will usually decide to utilize their Self-destruct device on their gauntlet in a form of honorable suicide. If a hunter is killed by a sentient creature, they maybe confronted by others of it's clan and therefore considered an equal by them and given a weapon or device of great rarity or exotic nature as a trophy and sign of their respect. Those who die in honorable suicide however, will usually have their ships automatically returned home with information about the species it had recently hunted.

The Yautja also have a hierarchy, usually consisting of the following ranks:

• Un-Blooded: Hunters who have finished basic training, but are un-refined in nature. They are usually the hunters of the future and are physically young adults. Though the majority is mostly male, there are female hunters as well.
• Young Blood: Hunters who have proven their worth against non-Xenomorph humanoids like humans. The fighting style on Xenomorphs however vary and if they successfully manage to kill one, they mark themselves with the blood of the alien and are considered blooded.
• Blooded: Once a hunter has marked themselves with the symbol of their clan with the Xenomorph blood, they are considered blooded and therefore, completed their adulthood ritual and therefore are able to obtain their plasmacaster. Females also begin to pay interest into this rank and the hunter who is now blooded, usually will go off to become another specific rank.
• Elite: Considered the most dangerous of hunter, Elites are usually those who can take on several Xenomorphs at once, including castes like Praetorians, Predaliens and even Queens. They also take on lengthy and taxing missions on and off Yautja Prime.
• Leader: An ambiguous rank in the Yautja society, Leaders are able to lead clans, which include either fellow packmates or students into a hunt. There are 3 types of leader, one of which is Clan Leader, Hunting Captain and of course the "Leader".
• Elder: The older and much wiser hunters who usually lead clans.
• Ancient: The eldest of the Yautja, who are known to make the laws and use enforcers to keep the crime down. This is also the rank with the highest respect and are usually made up of those who are well over hundreds or even thousands of years old.

Technology

The technology of the Yautja is an impressive feat. They possess some of the most sophisticated weapons and devices, surpassing anything humans or other primitive races possess. Despite the tribal appearance of such technology, the Yautja have created direct energy based weapons, advanced cloaking technology, enabling them to become nearly invisible in the spectrum of humans, as well as armor and masks, allowing them to suvive extended periods of time in other environments. Their bio-masks enable them to see in a variety of visions as the species itself is a single spectrum vision lifeform, as well as using materials valued by the Yautja due to their immunity to the acidic blood of a Xenomorph. Despite their advancements however, Yautja prefer to utilize ancient weapons like daggers, wristblades, swords and spears, which are considered the most "honorable" for hunting

Yautja Code of Honor

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The Yautja Honor Code is a set of 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.

All hunters are expected to hunt and kill while adhering to the code and traditions. Failure to do so marks a Yautja a Bad Blood. He is then excommunicated altogether from society and considered fair game for the remaining honorable hunters. Some Predators are specifically tasked with hunting down code-breakers, called Arbitrators.

The Code

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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.

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 Arbitrator.

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, mutineering the hunter on that world with no equipment whatsoever, this includes the loss of both weapons and armor.

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 (see below). Murder is the worst crime.

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.)

Hunting for Food: When hunting for food, take only the weak. This is to purify the species' line.

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.

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.

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.

Code Violations: Those who break the code are renegades, and no longer considered to be a Yautja. They are to be destroyed when encountered.

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 pose a threat.

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. 

• Weapons of Warfare: Weapons of Warfare like the Blazer and Electroshock Missile Battery are strictly forbidden in hunts or even by use of non-Military Caste Hunters. They are considered too destructive to constitute a hunting weapon.

Every day brings a new challenge to a Yautja. What would be stepping into your domain a measly kill, or a true competitor. A single mistake can bring doom to an entire tribe, while an individual’s heroic effort can ensure the entire group’s survival.

Yautja thus place a premium on self-sufficiency and individual skill. They have a compulsion to keep score, counting their kills and tallying their accomplishments by tearing out the sjulls of those who fell to the Yautja, to compare to others. Yautja love to win, but they cant handle defeat, sometimes facing death soon afterwads.

This dedication to the hunt has a dark side. Yautjas are ferocious Hunters, but above all else they are driven to outdo their past efforts. If a Yautja slays a Dragonborn, he or she might seek out a larger, more powerful Goliath to battle. Many Yautja adventurers reach old age, but some die on the hunt as youngbloods.

Fair Play

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For Yautja, competition exists only when it is supported by a level playing field. The hunt measures talent, dedication, and effort. Those factors determine survival in their homeclan,  not relying  on magic items, or other elements that can tip the balance of combat one way or the other. Yautja will  rely on such benefits, but they are careful to remember that such an advantage can always be lost. A Yautja who relies too much on power can grow rebellious and berserking a recipe for disaster in the clan.

This trait manifests most strongly when Yautja interact with other folk. The relationship between peasants and nobles puzzles Yautja. If a king lacks the intelligence or leadership to lead, then clearly the strongest person in the kingdom should take his place. Yautja rarely keep such opinions to themselves, and mock folk who rely on society’s structures or rules to maintain power.

Survival of the Fittest

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Among Yautja, any hunter who can’t contribute to the tribe is expelled. A lone Yautja has a decent chance of survival, especially an older or wiser one. Yautja have little pity for adults who can’t take care of themselves, though a sick or injured individual is treated, as a result of the Yautja concept of fair play.

A permanently injured Yautja is still expected to pull his or her weight in the tribe. Typically, such a Yautja earns his name if they complete their attempt to keep up, or the Yautja slips away in the night to live the rest of its days in peace.

In some ways, the Yautja drive to outdo themselves feeds into the grim inevitability of their decline and death. A Yautja would much rather die in battle, at the peak of strength and skill, than endure the embarrassment of defeat. Few folk have ever meet an elderly Yautjas they are clan leaders and their clans best hunters, who have left their people grapple with the urge to go rogue with their lives as they slip farther and farther away from the clan.

Because of their risk-taking, Yautja tribes sometimes suffer from a chronic lack of the experience offered by long- term leaders. They hope for innate wisdom in their leadership, for they can rarely count on a wisdom grown with age.

Yautja Names

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Every Yautja has two names: a birth name assigned by the newborn’s mother and father, a nickname assigned by the clan leader

 Birth names are often unpronouncable by other species as they consist of a series of clicks, whistles, and roars,

Ones clan leader name is often how the leader would describe the youngbloods huhnting abilities they can also be given names by fellow travelers. An example of a clan-given name could be "Stalker",or "Celtic".

 

Yautja Traits

The Yautja are a very strong, fast and durable species designed to be masters of the Hunt.

Apex Yautja ('Super Predator')

At character creation, if your DM allows it so, Roll a d100. If you roll above 85 or higher you are permitted to be an Apex Yautja, as such some changes are implemented. Please Reference other traits listed on the Race Page to know the difference for Apex Yautja.

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Yautja Ability Score Increase

The Yautja are very strong ( +2 Strength) and are very resilient terrifying creatures (+2 Constitution and -2 Charisma) You may then chose to have +1 strength or +1 constitution.

Apex Yautja are extremely powerful beyond that of their brethren (+3 Strength) and their due to the massive stature they are quite terrifying as they tower over even Goliaths (+3 Constitution and -2 Charisma)

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Movement

Yautja have a base movement speed of 40 feet and have a swim and climb speed of 35 feet, Yautja also has a unique ability to jump great lengths as well.

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Mass Frame

Your size category is considered large when carrying, lifting, and weight capacity.

Apex Yautja - Your size category is considered Huge when carrying, lifting, and weight capacity. Your Size Changes to Large.

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Lifespan

Yautja common life cycle is about 1500 years, though a Yautja has never been discovered dead by age...

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Yautja Morality

Yautja care only of two things: The Hunt and their code. Most Yautja would fall under Chaotic Neutral besides Bad-Bloods.

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Yautja Size

The average size of a Male Yautja is about 8 - 9 feet, the average size of a Female Yautja is 7 - 8 feet. Males weigh an average of 450 - 500 lbs. and females weigh on average between 300 - 425 lbs. Apex Yautja is suspected to be much, much bigger, around 12 feet have been recorded.

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Made for the Hunt

Yautja are extremely agile, all Yautja have expertise in athletics and proficiency in survival and acrobatics. In addition, when tracking/hunting you have advantage on any check that would have to do with the Yautja’s Hunt. (Survival Checks.)

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Language

The Yautja are unable to speak most if not all languages other than Deep Speech, but they do understand commonly spoken languages such as Common, Dwarvish, and Elvish. They can also read and write in these languages. The Yautja do have a full understanding of sign language.

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Master Hunter

At Level 20, The Yautja has reached a finer understanding of the hunt and all its aspects. The Yautja gains Expertise in Survival, Nature, and Animal Handling if it does not have so already. Additionally, the Yautja gains the ability of Favored Enemy and Favored Terrain aspects similar to the Ranger class. 


(Note: Due to my inexperience and understanding, I do not know if it is even possible to implement the Favored Terrain and Enemy aspects, With that said, Please make sure to note what you choose in via Notes to assist the DM in the ability to check your choices if they need too.)