Homebrew Capybara Species Details

Capybaras may be 125 centimeters (4 feet) long and weigh 66 kg (145 pounds) or more. They are short-haired brownish rodents with blunt snouts, short legs, small ears, and almost no tail. They normally feed in the morning and evening and spend most of the day resting under cover along the banks.

These friendly critters don’t ever seem to knock back a ride-sharing request from another animal. A whole host of bird species, monkeys, rabbits, and even other Capybaras have been spotted seated, perched, or laying on the back of a much-obliging Capybara. Their incredibly social nature also helps protect them from predators and improve their chances of mating.

Webbed feet help them to maneuver in the water, and their facial features are located towards the top of their large heads to help them see and breathe while they swim. Capybaras can dive and stay underwater for up to 5 minutes at a time—often falling asleep in the water whilst keeping their nose at the edge of the banks.

While Capybaras feel at home by the water’s edge, they certainly know their way around the land and are capable of reaching speeds of up to 35 kilometers an hour.

Capybaras are rather vocal animals. They like to express themselves by purring, barking, cackling, whistling, squealing, whining, grunting, and even teeth-chattering—depending on what they’re trying to communicate. Not only are there harmonic differences among social groups, but each sound a Capybara makes bears significant meaning.

Capybara Traits

Keen Hearing and Smell. The capybara has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell. Hold Breath. The capybara can hold its breath for 5 minutes.

Ability Score Increase

When determining your character’s ability scores, increase one of those scores by 2 and a different score by 1, or increase three different scores by 1. Follow this rule regardless of the method you use to determine the scores, such as rolling or point buy.

The “Quick Build” section for your character’s class offers suggestions on which scores to increase. You’re free to follow those suggestions or to ignore them. Whichever scores you decide to increase, none of the scores can be raised above 20.

Languages

Your character can't speak, read, or write. That would require magical intervention :) You can communicate much like a well-trained dog would, by making noise or pointing to things.

Creature Type

By playing a beast, you are unaligned and behave based on instincts: get food, run from predators, and mate with similar creatures. You can still have superior aspirations such as joining a guild or become a professor in the wizards' academy, but you don't care about love or social recognition (beyond mating or being the pack alpha).

Other humanoids will most likely ignore you, treat you as a pet, and in some cases as food.

Size

You are Medium or Small. You choose the size when you gain this race.

Speed

Your walking speed is 50 feet. Your swimming speed is 40 feet.

Rodent Senses

You have proficiency in the Perception skill. Also, advantage on Perception checks that rely on hearing or smell.