Homebrew Gek Species Details
“Swords, get your swords here! We have swords for all your needs here!”
Gek were once a mighty, if small, warrior race. Now, under the tutelage of new gods, the Gek live their lives for the joys of industry, craft, trade, and exploration.
Thick Scales
Though the Gek may share some physical traits of other reptilian races, both scholars and Gek traditions claim a different origin. Some physical differences are clear such as the Gek's beak instead of a snout and their lack of tails. They are also built more stout and hardy than most reptilian races.
Each Gek usually displays two tones of color: The color of their thick skin and then the colors of their scales. Gek come in a wide variety of colors both bright and dark. Further more, on the rare occasion, Gek vary even in shapes. Gek skulls may display multiple "thorns" on the back of their head, or even a single large vertical "thorn". Some Gek's even show mutations such as having two extra eyes, on each side behind the first set of eyes.
Eager Friends
Gek lives are short compared to many other races but they live those lives with enough enthusiasm to make up for it. They tend to be straightforward and think themselves as humorous individuals. Gek are rarely secretive, though they are hesitant to speak of their history. They are quick to befriend others and, though they may love trades and exchanges, are happy to assist others. This attitude may quickly change, though, as Gek are keen observers and will shun those they believe seek to take advantage of them.
Gek tradition and culture are of paramount importance. This tradition largely consists of a care for topics that other races may consider mundane, such as trade and comrade relationships. This would likely never be obvious to an individual unless they traveled to the Gek's small but hardy homeland, which is considered holy and is the only concentrated population of Gek. Even Gek who do not make their homes in the homeland do make periodic pilgrimages. Gek always return to their homeland for spawning, and all Gek hope to be buried in the land of their people.
Gek's may one of the most friendly of races, as is tradition, but they are not passive. If a Gek finds themselves or their friends in danger, they are fierce enemies.
Trade Guilds
Gek society is chiefly made up of three guilds: The Merchants guild, the Expeditionary guild, and the Mercenary's guild. The councils that head these guilds are the leaders of the Gek race. Because the known world is largely filled with other peoples rather than unknown landscapes, the Expeditionary guild largely focuses on politics and relations with other races.
Out in the world, among the city's of the other races, Gek can be found running shops or working as craftsmen or as foremen on city projects. Outside of those cities they may be working as travelling tradesmen, or assisting with missions to recover materials and relics from places such as forgotten temples or abandoned Dwarven mines.
Scentimentality
Gek biology makes for communication that is more nuanced than simply written or spoken language. Their olfactory sense are stronger than those of most other races, and Gek share pheromones as a complimentary addition to their verbal communication. Smell is an important part of relationships, and Gek often find it humorous that other races do not seem to have any control over the scents that they share.
Outwardly displaying personal disturbance at uncleanliness, which results in bad smells, would be rude and is a problem not worth losing trades over. Gek do, however, find trading and interacting with good smelling individuals much more tasteful.
Gek Traits
Your Gek character has an assortment of inborn abilities, gifted by nature and tradition alike.Ability Score Increase
Your Intelligence score increases by 2 and your Constitution score increases by 1.
Age
Geks mature at a faster rate than humans, and are considered adults by the time they are 10 years old. On average, they live about 70 years.
Alignment
Most Geks are lawful, believing in the benefits of a systematic society based on traditions. They are largely of a neutral disposition, as being good or evil is not perceived by Gek in the same way as is commonly accepted by other races. In Gek tradition, good simply means a fair and mutually beneficial trade.
Size
Gek stand between 3 and 4 feet tall and average about 150 pounds. Your size is small.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 25 feet.
Pheromonal Insight
Add 1d4 when performing an insight check to learn a creature's or individual's current disposition or intent. This cannot be used when performing an insight check against undead or warforged.
Gek Resourcefulness
Twice per day, you may add 1d4 to an ability check or saving throw
Gek Proficiency
You have proficiency with crossbows and medium armor
Crafters, Traders, and Explorers alike
You gain proficiency with one of the following: smith’s tools, mason’s tools, vehicles, jeweler's tools, navigator's tools, cartographer's tools, leatherworker tools, tinker's tools, weaver's tools, woodcarver's tools, potter's tools, glassblower's tools, or carpenter's tools.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Common and one of the following: Elven, Dwarvish, or Gnomish