Homebrew Yordle Species Details

 

I'm no hero, I'm just a yordle with a hammer.

--Poppy

Yordles are possibly the oldest sentient race in Runeterra still existing. They evolved from fae creatures several thousands of years ago. The earliest Yordles are reported to have existed in nomadic tribes in what is now the Frelijord. Due to their small stature, the primitive Yordles were constantly being consumed by larger predators and harnessed innate magic to protect themselves. Due to the innate eldritch arts they discovered, Yordles quickly became more advanced and smarter. Today, the vast majority of the Yordle society dwells in the southeastern part of Valoran, behind the safety of the Sablestone Mountain range. They eventually settled themselves within the Ruddynip Valley known as the Yordle Land, where modern-day Bandle City is located. Their knowledge of magic, the sciences, and arts made them an integral part of Valoran society and are present in its Politics.

Undersized and Underestimated

Yordles rarely grow over a meter in height, most averaging 0.8 meters. Their skin texture ranges from completely smooth to being very lightly covered in fur to being significantly furry. Due to longtime exposure to innate magics, Yordle skin color ranges a much wilder spectrum than other races. Most male Yordles grow fur in colors of orange and tan while female Yordles remain smooth-skinned or with a very light coat of blue or white fur. Some Yordles with little to no fur (often females) are sometimes called "Meglings". Yordles generally have an inferior vision in the normal spectrum of light to humans. They nevertheless have much better hearing and can see into the infrared spectrum of light, whereas humans cannot. Furthermore, they are commonly characterized by their dependence on language and their creation and utilization of complex tools.

Fae Longevity

Yordles have exceptionally longer lifespans than most humans, partially due to their innate magic and Fae ancestry. The average life of a Yordle is 500 years, but they appear youthful for most of that life. Many Yordle elders remember the terrible Rune Wars and other events that happened centuries ago. The Yordle race has innate magic within them which helps them achieve extraordinary things usually impossible for someone of their stature. Also, they require far more social interaction with their own kind than humans do. They generally are a peaceful and amicable race, often marked with streaks of joviality and light prankishness; their moral compass is most often pointed toward goodness and benevolence. Their desire for social interaction drives them toward this ethos, as the mental health of a yordle is very much dependent on the positive company he or she keeps. This does not mean, however, that they are incapable of cruelty and evil. In fact, a yordle who is kept in isolation for too long – especially from contact with other yordles – runs the risk of becoming withdrawn and sullen. Some who already are centered more toward malevolence will become exceedingly so in due course. These yordles will often twist their desire for social interaction into a desire to seek out others to inflict pain and suffering upon them, but such examples are very rare.

Yordle Traits

Your Yordle character has an assortment of inborn abilities.

Glamour

Your mystical nature allows you to blend into human society, and lets you remain unremarkable. People will generally see you as a short-statured human. You gain an advantage in deception and persuasion checks to maintain the ruse. Additionally, you know the Disguise Self spell and can cast it twice per long rest.

Ability Score Increase

Your Charisma score increases by 2 and Your Intelligence Score increases by 1.

Age

Yordles mature at the same rate as humans, but they’re considered young until they reach the age of 50. On average, they live about 350 years.

Alignment

MostYordles are lawful, believing firmly in the benefits of a well-ordered society. They tend toward good as well, with a strong sense of fair play and a belief that everyone deserves to share in the benefits of a just order.

Size

Yordles stand between 3 and 4 feet tall and average about 150 pounds. Your size is Small or Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet. Your speed is not reduced by wearing heavy armor.

Innate Magic

You know the cantrips friends and guidance. You require no material components to cast any of these spells.

Battle Hardened

Once per long rest, you gain resistance to a damage type that hits you for half or more of your health for the next hour.

Darkvision

Accustomed to life underground, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. 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.

Tool Proficiency

You gain proficiency with the artisan’s tools of your choice: smith’s tools, brewer’s supplies, or mason’s tools.

Yordle Lore

Whenever you make an Intelligence (History) check related to magic items or technological devices of Yordle origin, you can add twice your proficiency bonus, instead of any proficiency bonus you normally apply.

Languages

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