Homebrew Wookalar Species Details

Flooky was particularly well-suited for the night watch. His night vision and tough hide gave him an advantage on a cold, rainy night such as this. "Softies," he thought to himself, as he glanced back at his companions trying to sleep in their hastily-constructed shelters, gathered around the meager fire in an attempt to stay warm and dry. He sometimes wondered why he didn't hook up with a Tusk of his own kind...he'd make more money. He wouldn't have to worry about the vulnerabilities of humans or accidentally stepping on a gnome or halfling. Then he remembered that he didn't particularly like Wookalars very much.

As he slowly made his way in a circular path around the perimeter of the campsite, he would occasionally stop and root out something to eat...roots, truffles, and anything he could find. His sense of smell was excellent, and he wasn't picky. He was, however, always hungry.

He had just sat down in a soft, muddy puddle to rest a bit, when he heard the creature creeping up the ravine toward the camp. He estimated that his enemy's path would lead right by his current location, and he smiled as he readied his hammer. "I wunner how far I ken knock dis'un?" he thought.

— Excerpt from A Pig's Tale

 

Uncomfortably Large

Wookalars are wild forest-dwelling creatures with both beast and man-like traits. They are large humanoid pigs, covered in tough hide that tends toward darker shades of brown to shades of black and pink. Most have stout bodies with big bellies, stout arms, and large 4-fingered hands. They have heavy faces, pig ears, and porcine snouts. Their beady eyes are set wide and slightly askew, allowing exceptional visibility in all conditions.Their short, powerful legs are very strong but not particularly fast, and will carry them on all four legs or upright on two. 

Wookalars mature a little faster than humans, reaching adulthood around age 14. They age noticeably faster and rarely live longer than 60 years. Those who survive until old age tend to suffer from high cholesterol and heart disease.

The men tend to have large tusks, which they carve and decorate as trophies of their accomplishments. Some few men even grow large mutton chop beards. Male Wookalars tend to be between 6 and 7 feet tall. The women tend to be 5 to 6 feet tall and less grotesque in most ways with petite snouts, and slightly more human-shaped bodies. Wookalars tend to not wear much in the way of clothes because they do not often feel cold, and opt for simple, sturdy gear that requires no care.

Because of their heightened senses, Wookalars are surprisingly adept foragers and gatherers, but their bulk and brashness hinders any stealthy hunting abilities.

A Cursed People

Wookalar ancestors were an isolated community of human farmers and herders who made their living off the land raising pigs and other livestock. It wouldn't be until the discovery of ancient runes leading to a powerful artifact called The Suis Stone, that their inevitable downfall would begin. The magical avarice and greed that emanated from the stone ensnared the most ambitious of the clan, causing strife that eventually tore the community apart. The influence of the stone began to affect the physicality of the Wookalars, slowly turning them into the greedy, selfish creatures they used to herd.

Legend tells of a mysterious traveler who realized the cursed power of The Suis Stone and took pity on the Wookalars, hiding the stone and destroying all but a string of vague clues to its whereabouts.

Their community destroyed, the more pragmatic among them went on to built new lives by learning to relate to the outside world as best they could. Their grotesque appearance and surly, selfish tendencies make this somewhat difficult, but the Wookalars still remember their humanity.

Wookalar Society

Most Wookalars are solitary, knowing that their appearance, size, and smell are off-putting to others. Most live in the woods with little or no shelter, as their large size and toughness makes shelter unnecessary. They will most often lie down and sleep wherever they are tired, even if it is raining and they are in the cold mud (Wretched or Squalid Lifestyle).

Because they live much of their lives alone in the woods, they have better than average survival skills, and have knowledge of poisons and herbal remedies. These remedies are typically only used on themselves, since they are independent and self-serving.

They sometimes live in small family units that usually last until children reach adolescence, but rarely longer than that. Sometimes Wookalars will band together into mercenary groups called "Tusks" that are considered to be very formidable foes on the battlefield, but these arrangements are typically short-lived. The primary reason behind this rugged individuality is that Wookalars simply do not get along with each other. Their grumpy selfishness masks a self-loathing that is transferred to others of their race. These feelings are born from the racial memory of what they once were and what they could be again.

The life of an Adventurer appeals to many young Wookalars, and is one for which they are well-suited in temperament, motivation, and capability. Some even see it as their fate, and there is an unspoken edict that all Wookalars embody a societal oath to seek the key to undoing the evil of the Suis Stone.

Wookalar Psychology

Wookalars are painfully aware that their appearance is uncomfortably grotesque to those of other races, and it affects them all differently. It is most plainly observable in their tendencies to isolate themselves from others and usually has a negative effect on their self-esteem. However, no Wookalar in an island, and adventurers almost always find themselves in the company of others, and are forced to work on their social skills.

Each Wookalar who interacts with other races finds a way to gain acceptance from those who find them off-putting or intimidating. Some are reserved, trying not to draw attention to themselves other than the value of their works. A few demonstrate charm and good-heartedness as publicly as they can (whether or not such demonstrations are genuine). Some simply try to be so tough that others just leave them alone to do their thing.

Wookalar Names

Perhaps as another consequence of their self-imposed isolation, Wookalars tend to shun surnames. To outsiders, Wookalar given names tend to be short and funny-sounding relative to their size and intimidating nature. 

Male Wookalar Names: Skoops, Stabby, Mooky, Jingo, Krakl

Female Wookalar Names: Jooly, Moonpye, Milly, Roodle

Wookalar Wordology

Singular - Wookalar - "Hey, look at that ugly Wookalar!"
Plural - Wookalars - "Those two Wookalars ate my Sheep!"
Collective - Wookalar - "The Wookalar are a surprisingly smelly species."

Creating a Wookalar Character

The Wookalar race is based on the Half-Orc racial profile. if you want to create a Wookalar on DNDBEYOND, sinply create a Half-Orc and manually record/track the minor differences between the two.

Wookalar Traits

Wookalar traits are derived from their mixed-species heritage

Mostly Literate

You can speak, read, and write a simple, broken version of Common.

I'll Bet I Can Eat That

Wookalars get Advantage on all Survival checks because of their outdoorsy lifestyle.

If You're Gonna Be Dumb, You Better Be Tough

Wookalars' ability scores for Strength and Constitution are each increased by 2.

Wookalars Love Mud

Wookalars have a base movement rate of 25, but are able to move through water and mud at a rate of 35.

Tall, Dark, & Scary

Due to their size and appearance, Wookalars gain proficiency in the Intimidation skill.

Bull in a China Shop

Due to their excessive weight, bulk, and attention to detail, Wookalars always roll with disadvantage for Stealth checks.