Homebrew Hederan - Roll&Play Species Details

Bastions of Nature

Hederans represent nature, growth and life – their very beings are a living,
breathing ecosystem; ivy, moss, fungi and weeds find a home across their
bodies. A hederan’s outer skin is made from thick bark that forms an outer
plating, but within this shell is a complex green musculature. As they age, this
plating becomes thicker and can sometimes develop knots. Branches, leaves
and flowers protrude from their bodies at random points, culminating around
their heads where foliage is always the thickest.
They are much taller than humans, ranging from around 6 feet tall to just over 8
feet; but despite their size, they can be dexterous and agile. On average hederans
only weigh between 140 and 180 pounds, with most of their bulk coming from
their bark plating. A hederan’s bark, leaf and flower colour can vary wildly, and
is as diverse as the flora across the lands they live in.

Ancient Protectors

Hederans have very long lifespans, there have
been records of some living to around 1,000
years of age. They are sometimes even as old as
the forests they protect. At a few points during
their lifetime, normally every 200 years or so, a
hederan blooms and all the flowers across its
body open up and produce pollen. During this
month-long process, the hederan grows a
bulbous, green seed on its back which is no
larger than a human fist. When the seed is fully
grown, it can be planted in soil or fertile land to
grow another hederan – the window for planting
this seedling is only one week, otherwise the seed
will shrivel and drop off naturally.
Because of this pollination and seeding process,
hederans grow up in complete solitude, as their
parent has often moved on before they grow
from a seed into an adult. This growth process can take around eight to ten
months after they are planted. Due to a childhood in isolation, hederans are
slow to trust and have a strong sense of independence.

Scenery and Solitide

Hederans are seeded into fertile land, and protect their homes with ferocity.
They see themselves as guardians of their lands, brought to life by the nature
that surrounds them. Hederans can be found in dense jungles, woodland,
swamps, and even moist caves and river banks. Their contact with other races
is somewhat limited, and they have very little interest in the villages, towns and
cities of the world.
Hederans are rarely encountered outside their lands. If they are, it could be
because their home was destroyed by civilisation, consumed by a natural
disaster or because of a threat that can only be eradicated by seeking the
help of other people.

Naming and Conventions

Growing up in isolation, hederans are not named and do not normally take
names for themselves unless they come into regular contact with others. When
interacting with other races, hederans have been known to go by names that
remind them of their homes or their favourite flowers and animals.
Flora Names: Acacia, Thistle, Amaryllis, Crocus, Lilium, Reed, Gerbera,
Portobello, Bloom, Beech, Rose, Daffodil, Oak, Lavandula, Protea, Sycamore,
Willow, Toadstool, Cedar, Ivy, Branch, Mandrake.
Fauna Names: Stag, Vole, Beaver, Dragonfly, Snail, Harpy, Wasp, Leopard,
Macaw, Panda, Bison, Buzzard, Tarantula, Buffalo, Wolf, Albatross, Armadillo,
Shrew, Griffon, Lynx, Canary, Panther, Dove.

Hederan - Roll&Play Traits

Your hederan character is a sombre guardian of the natural world. They draw their life force from the surrounding environment.

Friend of Fauna

Once per long rest you can cast
Beast Bond without needing the
components listed in the spell’s
description. You can cast this spell
on any beast, monstrosity or plant
with an Intelligence score of 3 or
lower. The creature gains advantage
on attack rolls against any other
creature within 5 feet of you that
you can see.

Ability Score Increase

Your Wisdom score increases by 2 and
your Constitution score increases by 1.

Age

Once hederans are planted by their
parent, they take eight to ten months
to grow into their adult form. In this
form, they can live around 1,000 years

Alignment

With no moral compass given to them
by their absent parents, a hedaran’s
moral code can vary widely and will
depend on how peaceful or chaotic
their home location is. They will protect
where they were seeded and grew up
at any cost.

Size

When fully grown, a hederan can be
between 6 feet to 8 feet tall. They have
light and lean builds, with thick bark
plating. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Your instinct to protect the natural
world at all times has allowed your
eyes to become accustomed to both
light and dark 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.

Life in the Outdoors

You can move across difficult terrain
made of earth or foliage without
expending extra movement.

Protected by Nature

You can attempt to hide even when
you are only lightly obscured by
foliage, heavy rain, falling snow,
mist, and other natural phenomena.

Rooted Rest

Hederans don’t need to sleep. Instead,
they root into the world around them
(remaining semi-conscious) for four
hours a day. While meditating, you can
tap into the mood of the world around
you and gather whether the flora and
fauna nearby are scared, content or
joyful. After resting in this way, you
gain the same benefit that a human
does from eight hours of sleep.

Languages

You can speak, read and write
Common and Sylvan.