Homebrew Hallownest Races: Mantis Species Details

Since the time Hallownest began, the Mantis Tribe is a name that has evoked both awe and fear. They are an ancient people, older than the kingdom itself. Yet the mantises have stayed true to their ideals throughout history, and their dueling techniques can still fell the most potent of foes.

History

The origin of the mantises is unknown, since mantis scholars wrote almost exclusively about acts of great honor, though from artifacts it is clear that the mantises have existed long before Hallownest was born. When Hallownest was created, the mantises were in opposition to the Pale King. When it became clear that the mantis tribe would not conform without sufficient force, the Pale King rallied his forces for an invasion of the mantis village. Faced with an unbeatable army, the mantis tribe called a truce. They offered to protect the rest of the kingdom by guarding the entrance to Deepnest, killing any creature that tried to get out. In return the Mantis Tribe would not be subject to the Pale King's rule. Both sides agreed, and ever since then the mantises killed any abomination that dared crawl out of Deepnest.

When the Infection first appeared, the mantises found that they could resist it easily. In fear of what the Infection could do to one's loyalty, they banished anyone affected by it from their territory. 

During the second wave, the mantis tribe expected no harm to come to them. But one of the mantis lords was becoming more and more restless. He had dreams of a power that would allow him to take over mantis village, and maybe even Hallownest itself. He didn't share his experience with his three sisters, who were the other lords. He began to consider if the infection could be the power from his dreams. And so the unthinkable happened. The lord and his most loyal followers willingly gave in to the infection, and attacked the mantis tribe. Infuriated by the betrayal, mantis forces pushed the traitors out of mantis village and into Deepnest. The traitors traversed through the hostile environment, and eventually climbed up into the Queen's Gardens, where they have camped to this day.

Society

The mantises are a very proud people. They always fight with honor, and consider anyone who doesn't beneath them. They also distrust magic, believing it to be unnatural. Mantises specialize in dueling techniques. They duel for many reasons, to determine superiority, to settle disputes, and often to show off their skills to an audience. 

The Mantis Tribe is ruled by a group of lords, who all share a common bloodline. Anyone who defeats their lords in honorable combat is given the respect of the entire tribe.

Hallownest Races: Mantis Traits

As a mantis, you are likely to have certain natural capabilities and some warrior training.

Alignment

Since mantis society so rigidly respects honor and little else, most mantises are lawful and neutral. They usually act upon the most honorable methods, rather than the most moral ones.

Ability Score Improvement

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.

Age

Mantises reach physical maturity by age 15 and can live for around 180 year, though most die in battle before then.

Size

Mantises tower over the average bug at 6-8 feet tall. However, they are very light, usually only weighing about 40 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 ft.

Elegant Dodge

When you fail a Dexterity saving throw, you can use your reaction to roll a d4 and add it to the result, potentially turning the failure into a success.

Mantis Claws

You have claws that aid you when you are climbing. They grant you a climbing speed of 30 feet. If you have the Martial Arts feature from the monk class, your unarmed strikes can deal slashing damage instead of bludgeoning damage (you choose whenever you attack with them).

Mantis Training

You are proficient with the spear, halberd, and glaive.In addition, while you wield a halberd or glaive, it loses the Heavy or Two-Handed properties, and gains the Finesse property.

Languages

You can speak, read and write in Hallowtongue (common) and Mantis.