Homebrew Direling Species Details

Bones that Never Break

Direlings are extremely loyal and communal beings. It is extremely rare to find one out on their own. In these cases the direling is going out to establish their own clan in an area that is new to them. Though they usually end up becoming friends with members of other races to travel with. Community is held in high regard and are led by either the founder themselves or a direct descendant. It is also fairly common to see other races mixed in with these communities. Though it takes time for this to happen. Direlings are known to be accepting of others as long as they respect the clan and the surrounding area. As long as one remains loyal to the clan, the clan remains loyal to them. Direlings are among the first to defend their friends, and their tough physicality helps them do so. 

Generational Knowledge

Direlings are known to be experts of what is around them. They know the ins and outs of the area around their clans and have a natural sense for discovery, and are taught about their homes from a young age so that they may continue on learning even more about their surroundings than their teachers once did. A young direling might leave their clan to go out and discover a part of the world they don’t know that interests them. They tend to be drawn to areas heavy with magic. As such, you will often find them in ruins deep below the ground, in a deep forest with strange creatures, or even in the heart of a city if it holds enough magic to interest them. They will always seek to find what they do not already know as long as it interests them. 

Smart and Fearless

Direlings will rarely back down from something that threatens the clan. And will use whatever means they can to protect their clan or their endeavors. However this does not mean they will use brute force. A direling will use any means it has including the knowledge it has gathered, to break down any foe in its way. Knowledge is power and in its own habitat, a direling is at its most powerful.

Physical Appearance

Direlings can stand anywhere from 6 to 7 feet tall on average and weigh typically weigh 240-300 pounds. They have grey skin and dark hair that can be anywhere from brown to black to grey(older direlings) and have bone protruding out from their skin giving them almost a natural armor. Some Direlings will decorate themselves with tattoos that can cover their bodies and turn their protrusions into works of scrimshaw.

Direling Traits

Direlings are beings of both brain and brawn. Both knowing their surroundings and having the physical toughness to each give them an edge as hunters, explorers, and marauders.

Bone Sense

You know by touching an object if it is magical or has been affected by magic in the last 7 days. Though you do not know the school magic or what the magical effect is. This can be done as a free action an unlimited number of times.

Piercing Bones

Your unarmed strikes deal 1d4+strength modifier of nonmagical piercing damage

Thick Skin

Your base unarmored AC is 12

Spinal Defence

When you are grappled by a creature , you may use your bonus action to deal nonmagical piercing damage as if you are hitting them with your natural weapons. However, this does not count as an unarmed strike as it is another part of your natural armor. 

You may also use this feature if you are grappling a creature