Homebrew Aaba Species Details

 

 "Watch out for those fangs, dimwit!" yelled Root, his glaive bifurcating a Yuan-ti abomination.

"Listen Root, I'm new to this combat stuff so if you could just cut me some slack, that'd be wonderful!" I shouted back.

This was my first face-to-face encounter with a live Yuan-ti. I was not nearly as graceful as Root, but I had my uses. Concentrating on the swamp around me, I plunged my dark hands into the wet swamp floor. Shooting out of the ground, massive vines reached to grab the two broodguards on me. Pulling them away from me, I climbed up the nearest tree, narrowly missing the snapping jaws of an angry broodguard. 

"Get down here Branch! I ain't gonna be the only target here!" Root hollered. 

"Sorry mate, I'm more of a distance fighter kind of Aaba."

-A journal entry of Branch the Chakraaba

 

Like Satyrs, But....

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Aabas have very distinct features that obviously single them out as being much different than just another common humanoid. Atop their heads are two antennas that are used for searching for food, communication between other abba, and can even enhance hearing. Their legs are the most prominent differences between other common races, for their legs are that of massive grasshoppers that are capable of carrying an Abba up to 10 times it's height. Landing is not an issue because their legs easily retract, acting like shocks to keep them upright. Aaba skin ranges from forest green to a very dark brown. Female Aaba tend to be darker in shade than Males, but it can vary. Most Aaba have a pair of translucent wings that provide the gift of flight. However, many are unable to use them because of their curse. There are two types of Aabas, the Speedwings and the Chakraabas, but more on that later.

 

 A Blessing and a Curse

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Aaba-folk worship a god which most are unfamiliar. Busham, the bringer of swamps looked onto other major gods and became jealous of their many creations. He decided to bring forth a race of people that he could be proud of. One with the intelligence, size, and strength of a human or elf combined with the "grace and beauty" of a grasshopper. Thus, the Aaba was born. He also granted the Aaba the gift of flight by providing them with insectile wings. However, combining the love of mud and the wings of flight was a grave mistake. Aaba rarely ever fly because their wings are caked with mud, dust, and occasionally swamped vegetation. Thus, only the cleanest of Aaba can use their wings. So it isn't necessarily a curse of the mind or body, but a curse of desire. Desire to be covered in mud. 

 

 Home is Where the Mud Is

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Aaba love their home. That being said, an adventuring Aaba is very rare. Normally Aaba prefer to stay napping under the shade of a great jungle tree or search for food through plants, rather than confront a pile of nasty Orcs. Normally an adventuring Aaba is ignored rather than outright outcasted from a clan. Primary reasons for adventuring would be if they would like more out of life than just relaxation and mud and bugs. Swamps and marshes are home to Aaba, and oftentimes are challenged by cults of Yuan-ti. Struggles for land have gone on for generations because the muddiest places always happen to be right next door to Yuan-ti temples and ruins. Mud is often considered to be the lifeblood of Aaba culture and is usually used in sacred or ceremonial acts such as an Aaba's blessing of Busham, death sealings, and even some acts of insectile intercourse. 

 

The Art of Naming Oneself

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Aaba consider names to be a hassle and usually don't decide on giving their children names. Instead they allow them to name themselves whatever they like. However, whatever they name choose is their name for life at least for their clan or village. For example, an Aaba can choose a name like Groot and their clan will name them Groot until the day they die. An adventuring Aaba does not need to worry about this because they can choose any name they like. Usually the names a  Chakraabas will choose are plant or swamp based such as Ivy or Bark or Gloop. Most times, Speedwing Aabas name themselves after great battle accomplishments or generals. 

 

 

Aaba Traits

Aaba pride themselves in their insectile bodies and ways that they live. They live in places that are flourishing with life and mud especially, and tend to feast off of vegetation within. Abbas love to fly atop trees and murk in mud, completely 'one with nature.' Their insect ways of life help them prosper in the harshest of swampy environments.

Ability Score Increase.

Your Deterity score increases by 1 and your Wisdom score increases by 1

Age.

Aabas mature at the same rate as humans, but can live to up to 200 years.

Alignment.

Aaba have enough intelligence to make government systems but often lack the will to do so. Their alignment tends to drift towards neutral but many are seen as good hearted folk.

Size.

Aaba range from 5 to 6 feet but can extend legs so they reach 6 or 7 feet. Your size is medium.

Speed.

Aaba are very light on their feet and their legs, though oddly shaped, provide extra balance and agility. Your base walking speed is 30 feet. You also have a climbing speed of 15 feet. Flying speed is described in subclass section.

Love-a-da-bugs.

Your God provided you with antenna that not only communicate with other Aaba but insects as well. You gain the ability to speak with insects and may use this feature once between long rests. You also have advantage on Persuasion checks that rely on communication with them. 

Antenna Talk.

You are able to communicate with other Aaba by using your antenna. You speak as if through telepathy and it has a range of 120 ft. 

Languages.

Aaba normally prefer to talk, write, and read their own script called Aabese, but they are still able to understand, speak, and write in common.

Keen Senses.

Your antenna provide proficiency in the Perception skill and doubled for Perception checks based on hearing.