Homebrew Sergal Species Details

Sergals have sharply angular, almost shark-shaped, heads with reptilian eyes and small pointed ears. This head sits atop vaguely humanoid form which covered in fur, sports a long
tail, and has rat-like feet at the end of digitigrade legs. Their hands are humanoid though they only possess 4 fingers (3 and an opposable thumb). Claws adorn their feet and hands, though they are not particularly useful for combat. Their eyes are small, but intelligent. Sergals have exceptional visual kinetic detection (like a sight hound). Of note is that their powerful jaws hide rows of sharp teeth and a long, dexterous, tongue that often hangs out. Biologically, they are similar to mammals.

Despite having a somewhat lanky, scrawny appearance sergals have dense muscles that are extremely efficient. This makes them tremendously strong and well suited to the life of the hunter. Their digitigrade legs are very powerful and can allow them to run at tremendous speeds and leap great distances with ease.

 

Diet

Sergals are omnivores who favor meat over vegetables. The mainstays of their diets are fish, small mammals, and even the occasional bird. Sergals prefer to swallow their food whole rather than chew. Southern sergals eat a good deal more plants than their northern counterparts.

Personalities

Culturally they are simple, honest (they stubbornly refuse to lie) faithful, and conduct themselves with a great deal of courtesy. Their nature often reflects that of their leader; if their
leader is brutal- they will be rude and brutal, if their leader is kind his subjects will also be kind of heart, if their leader is underhanded they too will be crafty. They flock to strong leaders but when they are without one, sergals tend to be unambitious and unsophisticated. They are territorial by nature and their disposition towards combat stems from this. This occurs in mundane life as well, personal space and the allocation of living space within a community being a very strict affair.

Culture

Sergals have diverse lifestyle but much of it revolves around military pursuits and is decidedly matriarchal. If not actively involved in the military, many work in support of it (growing food for the troops, crafting weapons, etc). As much of their income comes from conquest- the ruling caste is of a military ilk. However, merchants wield a great deal of power amongst the southern sergal and they have a much more relaxed lifestyle. Sergals live in clans or tribes, supporting each other and forming warbands. Each clan is run by a council of generals who elects one of their number as a figurehead to speak on their behalf. Often this is not a sought-after position as it takes time away from military conquest. While sergals have their own personal name they take their family name from the name of their tribe or clan, rather than their immediate family.

Military Service

Military service is compulsory in adolescence and spans a period of at least 5 years, though many serve for far longer. Officer training can only occur after the initial 5 year period, ensuring that they have field experience. Any citizen can be called temporarily back into service as part of the militia in time of crisis. They are famous for their armored spearmen and are not particularly given to mounted combat or archery. They traditionally wield lances (even unmounted), axes, halberds, and other polearms. In combat they make use of their powerful legs and leap upon their prey with astounding speed. They still have a hunter mentality and are experts at scouting and harassing an enemy. Sergals tend to use a lot of ceramics in their armor and, particularly in the north, their armor tends towards angular lines and stresses form over function.

Women

The place of women is to lead. While many high-ranking male officers exist, there is a disproportionate number of females in leadership positions when it comes to advancement as they
tend to have more forceful personalities. Female sergals propose to males and are expected to mate for life. Physically there is almost no gender difference and both genders are treated more or less equally. Females tend to have more rounded shoulders which are narrower than males but are no less strong.

Early Life

As both men and women work, young sergal are often raised collectively in nurseries that double as schools. Bonds are formed here and children are fairly independent. Because of this,
many take part time domestic jobs in their youth for spending money.

Sergal Names

Livik, Kinn, Geviri, Toron, Umu, Skikk, Kuuchi, Mori, Jag, Makuri, Allor, Javinn, Aruuchi, Makuri, Shirin

Sergal Traits

Sergals have a variety of common traits between their various sub races

Menacing

You gain proficiency in the Intimidation skill.

Ability Score Increase

Sergals are warlike, possess the cunning of a predator, but an adult sergal possesses the equivalent intelligence of a 14 year old human.
Your Strength score increases by 2, your Intelligence score decreases by 1.

Age

The average lifespan of a sergal is between 50 and 60, but it’s rare that they reach such an age because so many die due to environmental hardships or combat before that time. Sergals
mature quickly, reaching maturity around age 10. They are drawn towards martial vocations (particularly fighters, rogues, and barbarians) which suit their predatory biology.

Alignment

Sergals tend to be chaotic in nature, leaning neither to good nor evil.

Size

Sergals stand anywhere from 6’8” to 7’6”, your size is Medium.

Darkvision

You have superior vision in dark and dim 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 color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Keen Senses

You have proficiency with the Perception skill.

Languages

You speak Common and Sergal

Primal Body

While you are wearing no armor, your AC equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier + your Constitution modifier.