Homebrew Mothfolk Species Details

Moody and perplexing, isolated and elegant, tough and passionate, the ways in which one might describe the mothfolk are many - although those capable of pronouncing the true name of the species are few and far between. They're a quiet breed with a tendency toward nature - solitary, yet intimate creatures with a penchant for thought and ritual. Often on their feet or in the skies, even the most fierce and untamed of mothfolk carry an attitude of worldly place that comes from their nomadic lifestyle. They owe their lives to the land they come from, and often find themselves responsible for its protection. Pensive, loving, determined, and gentle, the mothfolk are hidden away, but not to be overlooked.

Enigmatic and Uncanny

Mothfolk are a mysterious, reclusive race found in the lost reaches of the world, seldom seen in more "civilized" places. Tall and often silent, mothfolk have a reputation for being cryptic and thoughtful - although in reality many of them stay silent because they know the thrumming, clicking sound of their communication makes the more "normally-speaking" races uncomfortable.

The appearance of a mothkin is also not something that most are accustomed to. Their large, heavy wings hang around their tall humanoid bodies like cloaks, and their inhuman faces with antennae and compound eyes may prove off-putting to those with strong aversions to all things insectoid. Sometimes covered in fur, these four-armed, three-fingered creatures are the subjects of many countryside myths and legends about giant bugs that stalk the night, preying on children - although these myths vary wildly in truthfulness.

Short Lives, Long Tempers

Mothfolk are not the longest-lived of creatures, the very oldest living only until their late fifties. With such a short life, mothfolk have learned to live life to the fullest. Many pursue intellectual or mindful pursuits, becoming librarians or philosophers, pontificating on the nature of life and knowledge itself.

Still others decide to live their relatively brief livesadventuring, seeing the world, becoming as well-traveled and renowned as they can before passing their fortunes on to their children. A common thread throughout most mothfolk, though, is that they are slow to anger. It is instilled in most mothfolk as early as the larval stage, regardless of culture, that life is too short to be spent angry.

Metamorphic Creatures

Unlike most other common races, mothfolk do not develop as the same creature from when they are born. Mothfolk begin their lives as larvae, often a part of a brood of ten or more. After almost a year of nurturing and feeding from the mother, during which the larvae are largely unaware of their surroundings, the mother helps them prepare cocoons for metamorphosis.

The larvae stay in cocoons for just over half of a year, at which point they finally emerge as moths. From there, they quickly grow over the next three or four years, usually to just over six feet in height, and learn to fend for themselves. They are considered "adults" once their wings have fully developed, at around ten years after emergence, and elders after about thirty-five.

Mothfolk

In most moth cultures, the mother is assigned the task of naming each of her children as they grow. These names will often change at the whim of the mother, and usually do not become official until metamorphosis. Their names are often difficult to pronounce with human tongues, but this does not bother mothfolk, as they lack human tongues. Mothfolk do not have gendered names.

Male and Female Names: Adz'kit, Andile, Axa, Bixi, Chch, Chitha, Dalph, Fen, Filka, Fira, G'Zigg, Glik, Hadae, Iitus, J'llkx, Kl'il, Lenna, Lepha, Molf, N'Kakt, Riz, Scelkt, Sedna, Thom, Timpth

AN INCONVINIENT TRUTH

The true name of the mothfolk race is complex and rich with meaning - the moniker 'mothfolk' was coined by a human. The mothfolk are fine with this, as "Llkllrxzshlkl" is exceedingly difficult to pronounce for those not versed in the language.

Subrace

All mothfolk share a common ancestor, but there are three distinct groups of mothfolk that roam the world, each with their own customs and abilities. Most live in secluded communities, but some have chosen to engage in the world society. Choose one of these subraces.

Mothfolk Traits

Your mothkin character has an array of special abilities, honed through natural instinct and evolution.

Ability Score Increase

Your Wisdom score increases by 2.

Age

Mothfolk are born as larvae, and are only considered fully grown after metamorphosis. They are considered adults once their wings are fully grown, and live into their mid-forties on average. The oldest mothfolk live until their late fifties.

Alignment

Mothfolk are slow to anger, yet quick to become impassioned about the things they find important, and they are good at making the most out of life. They lean toward chaotic alignments, and away from evil ones.

Size

Mothfolk range from a bit under six feet to almost seven feet tall, not counting their lengthy antennae. Their builds tend towards the light and lithe, and they usually weigh between 130 and 160 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Armed and Dangerous

Mothfolk have four arms. Your secondary arms have a reach of 5 feet, and you can use them to lift a number of pounds equal to five times your Strength score. You can use these arms to take an additional object interaction each round and hold objects. Your secondary arms can’t be used to do anything that requires manual precision such as attack, benefit from a shield, use an item or performing the somatic components of a spell.

Compound Vision

Your compound eyes are excellent at finding what little light there is in darkness. You can see in dim light as if it were bright light out to 120 feet, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can discern colors in dim light and darkness, but only on the ultraviolet spectrum.

Natural Camouflage

You have proficiency in the Stealth skill.

Ride the Wind

As an action, you can beat your wings and ascend up to 30 feet. You can't use this action again until you touch the ground. You can't use your wings if you are unable to move, and you can't Ride the Wind if you are wearing heavy armor.

Wings

As a mothkin, you have large, cloak-like wings. You have a flying speed equal to your walking speed, which can't be used to ascend. When you end one of your turns flying in the air, you descend by 5 feet.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Ivathi. Ivathi is a language native to mothfolk. It is learned and internalized as a larvae and spoken upon emergence. The language is complex and almost impossible to speak with a human mouth, as mothfolk speak with a specialized organ in their throat that other beings lack. Ivathi sounds like a series of squishes, clicks, and chitters, cut with the occasional thrumming or soft vowel. It uses its own alphabet, and translating it to other scripts only results in an approximation of the language's true sound.

If you know Ivathi, you can also communicate very simple ideas to moths, and understand similar ideas from moths that choose to share them with you.