Homebrew Buzzkin Species Details

Within the forests of Autumnbel Grove, a mysterious event has changed the landscape and its inhabitants forever. Humans and other races rarely enter the forest and rarer still return. One such race that was introduced was the Buzzkin, these insects have increased in size and intelligence and are now similar to other civilizations in science and infrastructure despite keeping attributes from their ancestral forms.

Seemingly otherworldly to those unfamiliar, the Buzzkin evoke many emotions among people - some will find these fuzzy little guys adorable, while others see their compound eyes and little stingers and run in fear. They are hard-working, well-mannered homemakers and busybodies, always working in their hive's best interest, though they don't call them bumble bees for nothing - the Buzzkin can be quite forgetful and clumsy.

Antenna to Abdomen

Their segmented insectoid bodies are almost entirely covered in black and yellow fuzz, and their eyes are large, black and glossy. The size of their abdomen usually denotes rank within the hive; the Queen has the largest abdomen, whereas the drones are fairly small. The tallest Buzzkin can be up to 3 and a half feet tall, but the average usually sits about 2'5" - 2'8".

Family Oriented

Buzzkin are not only bouncy and fluffy, but focused and goal oriented, and it's common to be almost fanatically devoted to their queen. While their home hive is going to be a priority most of the time, they form smaller family units with their friends, and feel a great responsibility to look after this chosen family - all of their actions are for the future of their hive.

Just Following Orders

Most Buzzkin are inclined to follow their Queen's orders, whether they are traditionally good, evil, or morally grey. What's 'best for the hive' may align with these orders (as it usually does), but occasionally these things will cause internal conflict. You decide, does Nature win over Nurture?

Beefolk Traits

As a Buzzkin, you have certain traits that let you stand out from the crowd, but blend in within your hive. Being able to fly at high speed starting at 1st level is exceptionally effective in certain circumstances and exceedingly dangerous in others. As a result, playing a Buzzkin requires special consideration by your DM.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Buzzkin reach maturity by age 12, and don't usually live much longer than 50.

Alignment

Most Buzzkin are lawfully aligned, used to following their Queen's orders and code of conduct. Whether the hive is good, evil, or somewhere in the middle, is up to the Queen herself.

Size

Buzzkin are about 2-3 feet tall. They have thin, lightweight bodies covered in dense black and yellow fluff, averaging around 20 pounds total. Your size is small.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Flight

You have a flying speed of 40 feet. To use this speed, you can’t be wearing medium or heavy armor.

Stinger

Your stinger is a natural weapon, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with it, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d4 + your Dexterity modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Buzzkin Traits

+2 Wisdom, +1 Dexterity, Flight, Stinger

Flight

Within the Buzzkin, there are many subraces that benefit from flight differently, Honeykin suffer from decreased flight speed at higher elevations for example. At elevations above 20ft, Buzzkin are slowed to 20ft and cannot exceed elevations above 35ft.

Stinger

Your stinger is a natural weapon, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with it, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d4 + your Dexterity modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike. Additionally, Buzzkin can choose to leave their stinger in their target after a successful hit. While in the target, they will suffer from the poisoned effect until they choose to remove it as an action, DC 14 Strength.