Homebrew Raesokeran Edentatus Species Details

Edentatus are anthropomorphic armadillos, moles, hedgehogs, platypi, echidnas and porcupines.

History

Among the many beast races, the Edentatus are considered the most odd. They are incredibly friendly, but they have a less than welcome reputation for their inhuman appearance and queer behavior.

Edentatus were mostly left alone during the Beast War. Not many Edentatus lived in Shahalla at the time, preferring the cooler temperate climate in northern Udraykeland. Those that did fight in the war were instrumental in ending the conflict. Platypi were excellent assassins while the spined beasts and armadillos made excellent defenders. Moles were a potent force, digging underground tunnels and finding the best locations to infiltrate into enemy territory from below. In fact, this was used as the strategy that earned Udraykeland the final victory.

Afterward, the Edentatus set up their own towns and villages using the previously built tunnels as their core thoroughfare. Those that didn't join the others underground attempted to integrate with other species with minimal success. Their strict diet of insects and roots made it difficult to adapt to the available victuals of other cultures. Some groups of Edentatus integrated with societies of dwarves and gnomes since their underground lifestyles meshed well.

Society

Of all the Edentatus, hedgehogs and armadillos integrated best into urban living. 'Dillows are welcomed by guard recruiters for their natural armor and their instinct for protecting others around them. Hedgehogs are usually pacifists, joining social groups with rabbits as herbalists, healers, and entertainers.

All Edentatus subraces can be found in underground tunnel villages and cities. Those that live above ground outside of established groups tend to be hermits, sages, or nomads.

The underground cities are not often visited by men or other bestial races. Despite the Edentatus' hospitality, their cultural norms are seen as odd at best or outrageous and offensive at worst. Some examples of Edentatus odd behavior includes random loud belching for no apparent reason, turning their backs to those they disagree with or don't like, stealing unattended food or drink, and blunt or harsh honesty in conversation. Most edentatus feel that hiding thoughts and feelings is like intentionally collapsing a tunnel. Maybe it's for the best sometimes, but it often slows things down and gets people hurt. "Don't suffer the quill." or "Tear out the quill now to heal a smaller wound."

Travel throughout many of the tunnels is hazardous to unarmored races. Visitors without adequate protection are loaned a magic ring that deflects large slow projectiles to prevent being crushed by a random rolling armadillo or being impaled by the spines of a passing echidna. These rings are loaned freely since the magic is cheap and only protects against unintentional harm. They are not sufficient to prevent purposeful harm.

Edentatus diets are restrictive, because they can only digest insects and roots. Grains, meats, and fruits in normal amounts to other races are toxic to edentatus, so their small stock of dried fruit and salted meat is all they have for visitors.

Since most visitors don't find worms and locusts very appealing, they have to bring their own rations to stay long. Few races other than Edentatus live in the tunnel systems because of this, the one major exception being kobolds with their neighboring warrens. Edentatus familiarity and acceptance of the small dragonoids into their society as equals instead of vermin has been a point of contention since before the war. It is just one more reason most men will avoid edentatus cities like the Phage.

Language

Edentatus language is slow and cumbersome to understand. Some scholars compare it to having a conversation with an intoxicated Earth elemental. The pronunciation of most vowels are throaty and low, like trying to squeeze the words through the asophagus. Many words, particularly nouns and names, are repetitive in pronunciation to convey importance or emphasis. It requires a lot of patience to converse in Edentatus. A casual greeting can take five to ten minutes while a conversation about the weather could last an hour. Luckily, most Edentatus will usually revert to common for more in depth or important matters though their cadence is still awkward and sluggish.

Raesokeran Edentatus Traits

Race of burrowing anthropomorphic mammals

Darkvision

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 color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Languages

You can read, write, and speak common and Edentatus.

Insectivore

Your strict diet of insects and roots requires you to know how to find food to fend for yourself. You have proficiency in Wisdom (Survival).

Size

You are Small or Medium (your choice).

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Constitution Score Increase

Your Constitution increases by 1.

Unusual Body Type

 Edentatus cannot wear regular armor, due to their unusual body structure. Armor can be made specially for this race, but it will generally cost more to make it specifically for this race.