Homebrew Briarthorn Species Details

"Touched by the tears of Silvanus whilst he wept for the despair of his wilds, the High Forest to the North of the Sword Coast sprouted new life. Making their home amongst the acre surrounding the Grandfather Tree, the Briarthorn bring with them new hope and a kinship to the nature from once they budded. Attuned to the subtle song of nature itself, these bright and curious people speak for those who cannot, carving a place in the world for all flora and vegetation forms of life who share the world with the common races."

People of The Forest

The Briarthorn are neither male nor female but adopt masculine or feminine traits of the common races to differentiate themselves and to appear more familiar to the other races. To themselves however, they are only Briarthorn. Due to their plantlike bodies each Briarthorn goes through cycles in its lifetime to which they either pass on their pollen or become receptive to such which in turn aids in creating future generations. Unlike other races of the Forgotten Realms, the Briarthorn do not raise their own youth, instead planting their seeds at the base of a Guardian, a Grandfather Tree or similar large plant for protection and sustenance. The tree nurtures the seeds until sprouted and shares its water source, which shapes and colors the psychical characteristics of the sprouts. The result is a combination of the parents and guardian and leads to many different and exotic looking facades.

Their skin can appear as rough as tree bark or as soft as a succulents, with colorful leaves, branches or thorns adorning their heads in much the same way hair. While they stand just as tall as humans and perhaps a few feet over around 6 1/2ft on average, they mature much slower and as a result live a great many years longer. Briarthorns reach maturity around 30 years of age to which they leave the protection of their guardian and venture off into the world.  Many live up to and beyond 500 years of age. While many uproot for adventure, the failing health of a Guardian can also be a cause of moving on. Once a guardian is no longer able to provide for future sprouts, the Briarthorn set out to find a suitable new guardian for their progeny. 

Ancestry and Sap-lines.

While every Briarthorn is unique those who originally sprouted by Silvanis' Tears themselves are kept in higher regard. While there is no ruler or leader for the Briarthorn due to their nomadic nature only those who carry the Tear as part of the sap line can lay their seeds at the base of the original Grandfather Tree and have right of first plot at guardians aboard. This ensures the line and will of Silvanis will always carry on. When the elder finally wilts and passes on, the oldest progeny assumes that right. The uprooting of a Tear sprout is punishable by excommunication, and denial of passing on of ones own linage.

Briarthorn Traits

All Briarthorn are part of nature and have these traits in common.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Briarthorn reach maturity at around 30 years of age and can live well beyond 500 years.

Alignment

The Briarthorn do not pursue evil en devours however its in their nature to be untamed as the wilds from whence they sprouted. The Briarthorn take on the traits of their Guardian, and its experiences and life is what guides their alignment choice. Should a Guardian have gone through a rough time during their sprouting a Briarthorn may emerge more inclined to be aggressive.

Size

Briarthorn are between 6 and 7 feet tall and weigh between 180 to 240 pounds.Your size is medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Languages

You can speak, read and write Common and Sylvan

Knowledge of the Forest

You are proficient in the the Nature Skill and have advantage on Nature Skill Checks.

Enrooted Recovery

Once per long rest as a bonus action you may root yourself into the ground, regaining hit points equal to 1d6 + your character level. You must be conscious to do this action and be standing on rock, dirt, or gravel. 

Magic of the Wilds

You know the Druidcraft Cantrip. You may cast locate Animals or Plants an unlimited number of times with this trait, but may only use it to target plants. Starting at 3rd level, you can also cast Speak with Plants with this trait. Once you cast it, you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Undergrowth Adaptation

You are unaffected by difficult terrain, when in a natural setting, such as a forest, cave or swamp.