Homebrew HK Cicada Species Details

From the Hallowed Kingdoms homebrew collection.

Timid Nature

Despite their large, bulky size they are rather timid bugs. They tend to be cowardly, running (tunneling) away from danger, while also not easily trusting bugs other than their own kind. They tend to stay away from large populations of bugs and prefer living alone in the wilderness or at most in very small communities.

Homey Underground

Cicada make their homes underground, dug out by their own hands. These small interconnected caves and tunnels are rarely seen by surface dwelling bugs. It is not uncommon for Cicada homes to be totally cut off from the surface, but there are more courageous Cicada that do have tunnels for surface dwelling guests.

Choirs of Cicadas

Since Cicada are wary of outside bugs, they on occasion tend to form small underground communities called Choirs. There are no leaders in these communities. They can be described by others as small neighborhoods of Cicadas that choose to live near each other. Cicada Choirs are known for their spontaneous singing, usually happening when one Cicada starts a tune while working and another hears it and joins in. This continues until the tune or song is finished. This singing, if loud enough, can be heard by surface dwelling bugs, who sometimes can find it annoying since it can happen no matter the time of day or night.

Scavengers

Cicadas in the past have mainly foraged their own food. However, because of the developing technology of other bug species and the use of it to grow their kingdoms. The Cicadas have been scared off of their usual habitat by the development of kingdoms. However, Cicadas over time have developed the skills to become scavengers as well as foragers, taking advantage of the thrown away items of other bugs to be put to use in creating tools they need to survive. It also has become a tradition for these Cicada to treasure their first scavenged item when they are young, as it’s a show of the start of their transition into becoming an independent adult. Depending on the item, the young Cicada may carry or wear it on their person or have it displayed in their home.

Call to Adventure

Despite the timidity typical of this bug race, there are still some Cicada that become adventurers. Their reasons all vary. They may want to prove that they can become strong warriors despite their cowardly nature while others may want to see how far they can improve on their tinkering skills. Others want to protect their friends and family.

Appearance

Cicada's are large built bugs that naturally have muscles so they can be able to dig underground. While also having small mandibles that protrude out from their mask. Their shells are either gray, black, or brown.

HK Cicada Traits

Being a Cicada grants you specific racial traits.

Ability Score Increase

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

Alignment

Cicadas are known for helping adventurers along the path to their own goal. They tend to be good in this sense, but neutral otherwise.

Languages

You can speak, read and write common and 1 language of your choice.

Darkvision

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.

Burrowing Expert

You are a natural at digging and tunnels. You have a burrow speed of 15 feet. Additionally, you can cast the mold earth cantrip. This does not count against your number of cantrips known of any spell list.

Natural Armor

When you aren’t wearing armor, your AC is 12 + your Dexterity modifier. You can use your natural armor to determine your AC if the armor you wear would leave you with a lower AC. A shield’s benefits apply as normal while you use your natural armor.

Staggering Strikes

You are adept at bursting from under the surface. When you hit a creature that hasn’t taken a turn in the combat yet with a melee attack, you may add 1d4 to the damage roll.

Tunnelling Through

You are used to weaving through the dirt and stone, creating your own path. You can take the Disengage action as a bonus action on each of your turns. Additionally, when you are using a creature as cover, it is considered three quarters cover rather than half cover.