Homebrew Hederan Species Details

‘The logging operation was ambitious, and the plans for expansion were aggressive. Human ingenuity and purpose-built gnomish machines allowed the Strawberry Pines lumber operation to crank up a gear. As we continued to tear down the forest, a silhouette stood in our way. We had all heard the rumours of a ‘protector’, but we thought they were nothing more than children’s rhymes.

Dew drops ran from the hederan’s eyes as it single-handedly dismantled our machines. We were so stunned, and heartbroken, that we couldn’t fight back.’

– Passage from ‘The Strawberry Pines Lumber Inquest’

 

Once planted by their parent, hederans gain a deep loyalty to the land in which they grew. Many of them become ferocious protectors of their lush surroundings and maintain balance within their ecosystems. Hederans lead a solitary life and go decades or centuries without seeing another of their kind. Coming across one is rare, and because of this, it is not known how many hederans currently exist.

Bastions of Nature

Hederans represent nature, growth, and life – their very beings are a living, breathing ecosystem; ivy, moss, fungi, and weeds find a home across their bodies. A hederan’s outer skin is made from thick bark that forms an outer plating, but within this shell is a complex green musculature. As they age, this plating becomes thicker and can sometimes develop knots. Branches, leaves, and flowers protrude from their bodies at random points, culminating around their heads where foliage is always the thickest.

They are much taller than humans, ranging from around 6 feet tall to just over 8 feet; but despite their size, they can be dexterous and agile. On average hederans only weigh between 140 and 180 pounds, with most of their bulk coming from their bark plating. A hederan’s bark, leaf, and flower color can vary wildly and is as diverse as the flora across the lands they live in.

Ancient Protectors

Hederans have very long lifespans, there have been records of some living to around 1,000 years of age. They are sometimes even as old as the forests they protect. At a few points during their lifetime, normally every 200 years or so, a hederan blooms, and all the flowers across its body open up and produce pollen. During this month-long process, the hederan grows a bulbous, green seed on its back which is no larger than a human fist. When the seed is fully grown, it can be planted in soil or fertile land to grow another hederan – the window for planting this seedling is only one week, otherwise, the seed will shrivel and drop off naturally.

Because of this pollination and seeding process, hederans grow up in complete solitude, as their parent has often moved on before they grow from a seed into an adult. This growth process can take around eight to ten months after they are planted. Due to childhood in isolation, hederans are slow to trust and have a strong sense of independence.

Scenery and Solitude

Hederans are seeded into fertile land and protect their homes with ferocity. They see themselves as guardians of their lands, brought to life by the nature that surrounds them. Hederans can be found in dense jungles, woodland, swamps, and even moist caves and river banks. Their contact with other races is somewhat limited, and they have very little interest in the villages, towns, and cities of the world.

Hederans are rarely encountered outside their lands. If they are, it could be because their home was destroyed by civilization, consumed by a natural disaster, or because of a threat that can only be eradicated by seeking the help of other people.

Naming Conventions

Growing up in isolation, hederans are not named and do not normally take names for themselves unless they come into regular contact with others. When interacting with other races, hederans have been known to go by names that remind them of their homes or their favorite flowers and animals.

Flora Names: Acacia, Thistle, Amaryllis, Crocus, Lilium, Reed, Gerbera, Portobello, Bloom, Beech, Rose, Daffodil, Oak, Lavandula, Protea, Sycamore, Willow, Toadstool, Cedar, Ivy, Branch, Mandrake.

Fauna Names: Stag, Vole, Beaver, Dragonfly, Snail, Harpy, Wasp, Leopard, Macaw, Panda, Bison, Buzzard, Tarantula, Buffalo, Wolf, Albatross, Armadillo, Shrew, Griffon, Lynx, Canary, Panther, Dove.

Hederan Traits

Your hederan character is a sombre guardian of the natural world. They draw their life force from the surrounding environment.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2.

Age

Once hederans are planted by their parent, they take eight to ten months to grow into their adult form. In this form, they can live around 1,000 years.

Alignment

With no moral compass given to them by their absent parents, a hedaran’s moral code can vary widely and will depend on how peaceful or chaotic their home location is. They will protect where they were seeded and grew up at any cost.

Size

When fully grown, a hederan can be between 6 feet to 8 feet tall. They have light and lean builds, with thick bark plating. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Your instinct to protect the natural world at all times has allowed your eyes to become accustomed to both light and dark 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 colour in darkness, only shades of grey.

Life in the Outdoors

You can move across difficult terrain made of earth or foliage without expending extra movement.

Protected by Nature

You can attempt to hide even when you are only lightly obscured by foliage, heavy rain, falling snow, mist, and other natural phenomena.

Rooted Rest

Hederans don’t need to sleep. Instead, they root into the world around them (remaining semi-conscious) for four hours a day. While meditating, you can tap into the mood of the world around you and gather whether the flora and fauna nearby are scared, content or joyful. After resting in this way, you gain the same benefit that a human does from 8 hours of sleep.

Languages

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

Friend of Fauna

Once per long rest you can cast Beast Bond without needing the components listed in the spell’s description. You can cast this spell on any beast, monstrosity or plant with an Intelligence score of 3 or lower. The creature gains advantage on attack rolls against any other creature within 5 feet of you that you can see.

Natural Communicator

You have the ability to communicate in a limited manner with beasts and plants. They can understand the meaning of your words, though you have no special ability to understand them in return. You have advantage on all Animal Handling checks you make to influence them.