Homebrew Cyvern Species Details

Dahnsin Furlough climbed up the last stretch of the rocky crag, his body heaving with breath. He only had a few more moments before he arrived at the top. The wind blew fiercely, his fingers gripping the icy rocks tightly. Should even one slip, he would find himself at the beginning of a very long, painful plummet down to the bottom of the cliff. His winter cloak fluttered in the gale, and his eyes stung with tears. However, the scientist's mind won out, and with one last burst of strength, he began the final ascent. Slowly but surely, Dahnsin made his way to the top, and heaved himself onto its apex. After he had recovered from the effort, he looked up and gasped aloud with excitement.

A humble encampment sat several strides ahead, puffing with the smoke of several small fires that crackled against the frigid environment. The tents were wide, yet squat, which was unusual, but what intruigued Dahnsin most was its denizens. Wyrms, dozens of them, slithered their way around the camp, going about their business. The man's hands scrambled to his journal as he began to write furiously. The serpents were tall, with muscles that lifted their front half into an upright position, and friendly blue eyes. Their underbellies were a deep blue, like a sea of ice, while the top was a pale, cold white, and their tails undulated back and forth. Dahnsin flipped to a new page and wrote the word Cyvern at its top, then scribbled away.

Findings of a Peculiar Race, Dahnsin Furlough 

 

Cyverns are curious and friendly creatures descended from the great tundral dragons of the frigid North. They have adapted to their cold surroundings and live comfortably in the freezing environment.

Tundral Dwellers

When Cyverns first came to be, they were children of the great frost dragons that resided deep within the heart of the Northern arctic. At first, living amongst the subzero temperatures was a brutal trial for them, and many succumbed to the cold, but gradually, they began to adjust to the weather. Their scales colored to hide them from enemies that might seek to attack, and their bodies learned to preserve heat so as to ward off the ever-present chill. They make their hives, as they are called, in icy outcroppings or on top of cliffs, where they are far away from danger and erect tents that can house their unusual size.

Curious And Bold

While Cyverns may seem like nothing more than strangely-colored snakes, they are quite humane and can speak to other races as easily as a child might speak to a friend. They do not often leave their homes, only straying from the camp borders to scavenge for food or supplies, but can be led away by something that easily catches their eye. Explorers will bring items native to their homeland to show to Cyverns as an offering of peace and friendship, and they are quickly won over by whatever it may be. Cyverns are also bold, able to put up a tough front, masking fear well. They will bellow and yell to frighten off potential predators, but if things begin to take a turn for the worse, they are smart enough to know to flee.

Tail-Tied

Because Cyverns have no arms to assist them with things such as erecting structures or dragging supplies to their kin, they have made good use of their tails. They are able to coil their tip around the hilt of a sword as a replacement for a hand or can wrap it around a strap to drag a sled with them to wherever they may go. Cyverns can also utilize this as a natural weapon, able to lash out quickly, like a cobra strike or whip, if the situation demands it. However, too much weight can encumber a Cyvern's tail, causing it to be buried under the object. They are smart enough to know their limits, and always exercise to keep their tail in good shape. It is their prized jewel, and one cannot function without it.

Cyvern Traits

Cyverns have a number of odd traits to utilize.

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Age

Cyverns have a long lifespan, comparable to that of a gnome. Most live up to 250 years, the oldest recorded being 302.

Alignment

Cyverns are compassionate and friendly creatures, making them good. They are dedicated to each other and themselves, and will not hesitate to lend a helping hand to those in need. An evil Cyvern is rare, despite their heritage, though not unheard of.

Size

Cyverns can reach up to heights of 7 feet, though most are usually between 5 and 6 feet.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Tundral Acclamation

Because of your natural habitat, you have resistance to cold damage, and advantage on all stealth checks made to hide in snowy or wintry biomes.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Draconic.

Pale Tail

Your tail counts as a natural weapon, which you can use to make an unarmed strike. If you hit with it, you deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Due to a lack of arms, Cyverns may only wield one weapon at a time, but can still utilize the Two-Weapon Fighting style and ranged weapons.