Homebrew Mul Species Details

See, the trick is to break their will. Not too much, mind you. Nobody wants to watch a docile gladiator, and muls are too expensive to waste as labor slaves. But, you don’t want them trying to escape every other day. No crowd likes to hear that their champion was killed during an attempted escape.

— Gaal, draji arena trainer

 

Muls are the results of crossbreeding humans and dwarves.  Each mul is sterile; the only way to create a new mul is through the union of a human and a dwarf.  This race of mixed heritage has existed since the two primary races first came in contact with each other, but muls have only achieved great numbers since the city-states of the sorcerer-kings began breeding them for specific purpose and profit.  Most muls are born in the slave pits of the merchant houses and city-states and then set to work as laborers or gladiators.

Of Two Worlds

A mul has the height and adaptability of his human heritage and the raw strength and durability of his dwarf side.  Adult muls stand between 6 and 7 feet tall and weigh as much as 300 pounds.  They have a high metabolism that makes them lean and muscular, with broad shoulders and very little body fat.  Muls look like large humans with a few obvious differences: prominent eye ridges, pointed ears, and no body hair.

Slaves or Gladiators

This race, like the half-giants and half-elves, doesn’t have a culture of its own.  With few exceptions, muls are slaves or ex-slaves who live in the city-states or among the slave tribes that inhabit the wastes.  Born to the slave pens, the taskmaster’s whip takes the place of loving parents and family.  For this reason, muls often have gruff personalities and tend toward violent reactions.  Many never seek friends or companionship, living out their lives of servitude in hatred and spite.

Some muls learn the ways of the slave pits, figuring out who to trust, who not to, and gaining favor and reputation among the other slaves.  Muls who perform well in the arenas receive the most pampered treatment of any slaves.  For this reason, some don’t see slavery as that great a hardship.  However, those who have tasted the sweet air of freedom will fight to retain it.

Adventurers

Player character muls have either escaped, been set free, or otherwise won their freedom and now live independent lives.  Free muls usually take advantage of the combat skills they’ve acquired and work as soldiers or guards.  A smaller number turn away from violence to follow other paths, such as psionic disciplines or priestly devotions.  

Mul Names

Muls sold as laborers will have common slave names. Muls sold as gladiators will often be given more striking and exotic names. Draji names (such as Atlalak) are often popular for gladiators, because of the Draji reputation for violence. Masters who change their mul slaves’ professions usually change their names as well, since it’s considered bad form to have a gladiator with a farmer’s name, and a dangerous incitement of slave rebellions to give a common laborer the name of a gladiator.

Free Muls use either human or Dwarven naming conventions.  As if to emphasize that they don’t really fit in to either society, muls raised among humans are often given dwarven names, and those raised among dwarves often take human names.

 

 

Mul Traits

Your mul character has some qualities in common with dwarves and some that are unique to muls.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Muls mature at the same rate humans do and reach adulthood around the age of 16. They live about as long as humans as well, the average mul lives only to a maximum age of 90.

Alignment

Muls tend towards neutrality with respect to good and evil, but run the gamut with respect to law or chaos.  Many lawful muls adapt well to the indignities of slavery, playing the game for  the comforts that they can win as valued slaves.  Chaotic muls, on the other hand, push their luck and their value as slaves to the breaking point, defying authority, holding little fear for the lash.

Size

Muls grow surprisingly tall considering their parentage, ranging from 6 to 7 feet tall, and weigh as much as 300 pounds.  Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Thanks to your dwarven blood, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 30 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.

Dwarven Parentage

You have advantage on saving throws against poison.

Mul Exertion

Because of their amazing level of endurance, muls can work harder and for longer periods of time before needing rest than most other races. This is shown on the table below. Regardless of the type or length of exertion, a standard long rest allows a mul to awaken fully rested and ready to begin work again.

Exertion                                                                                                                                Time Before Requiring Rest
Heavy labor (stone construction, quarry work, running)                                              24+Con (hours)
Medium labor (light construction, mining, jogging)                                                      36+Con (hours)
Light labor (combat training, walking encumbered)                                                     48+Con (hours)
Normal activity (walking, conversation)                                                                          Con (days)

Powerful Build

You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common or Dwarvish.