Homebrew Buffalofolk Species Details

From the time that they were created by the god of nature, the Buffalofolk were protectors of the forest and of the earth. Their horns are commonly donned with flowers and vines. Fur of brown or black color and strong hooves to work. These creatures average over 6ft in height and usually weigh over 200 lbs, they tower over the other animals in the forest. Buffalofolk age at a similar rate to humans and reach maturity at around age 20. Originally designed as a bastion for nature during wars, they served as leaders to their other forest allies. These would be the Aaracokra, Lizardfolk, Bugbears, Shifters, Gnomes, Firbolg, Tabaxi, Tortle, and Minotaur. The Buffalofolk are able to withhold much and kept the land safe many times losing their lives for it. The Gods, seeing this, blessed the race with wisdom and strength to guide the forest for eons to come. 

The horns specifically of the buffalo are very important to the culture of the herds. They aren't only good for working in the forests and fields of the world. The nature gods originally intended for them to be powerful and natural weapons for the Buffalofolk so that they may protect the forests from war. Often these horns are wreathed in flowers, vines, or other natural material. When Buffalofolk die, the other members of their herd don't let their horns do to waste and make items out of them. These take the form of musical horns, swords, and other useful tools for work. When the Gods created the Buffalofolk, they also granted them the strength required to keep the forests safe and the wisdom to guide troops and understand the strange qualities of nature itself.

Nowadays, the Buffalofolk population is very small seeing as many of their numbers were lost in wars they were a part of. Small herds of Buffalofolk can be seen in plains, forests, and river valleys being emissaries between the beasts and plants with the humans. However, it's rare to see them, and doing so is seen as a mark of good luck and of a good harvest. 

Being spiritual people, the Buffalofolk connect with the earth around them to be their protectors, drawing on the fertility of the land and the surrounding animals. Be wary, however, they are stronger than most humans and are closely related to Minotaurs in their strength and endurance. Some Buffalofolk leave their herds to work in cities mostly becoming guards and farmers helping in whatever way they can to protects their land and provide fertility and food for the people. Very good-hearted people are the Buffalofolk tending toward good alignments whether working in cities or living on their own continuing to protect nature. 

Beasts of the forest are very fond of the Buffalofolk, seeing them as the guardians of them all. Many create special bonds with the creatures though none are as close as the Buffalofolk and the birds. Buffalofolk, due to their size, are susceptible to ticks and other detrimental insects that can cause pain and an inability to work or fight. To counteract this, with the help of the birds, the insects are destroyed by allowing the birds to eat the insects stuck in the fur of the Buffalofolk. This causes a strong symbiotic connection to occur that makes almost every Buffalofolk have a bird friend follow them around.

Buffalofolk Traits

The following are the racial traits of the Buffalofolk:

Ability Score Increase

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

Horns

Your horns are natural melee weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal piercing damage equal to ld6 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

 

Bird Symbiosis

Birds are close friends to the Buffalofolk, namely the Oxpecker, they help ward insects away from the fur of the people. Because of this, you gain access to the find familiar spell but can only conjure an avian animal.
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Languages

 You can speak, read, and write Common and Sylvan