Homebrew Faeylin Species Details

 

Graceful Grazers

Most Faeylin stand at a range of 5' to 6', however males tend to be slightly taller than females, and range from ~125lbs to ~150lbs depending on subspecies and gender. These hooved herbivores take on a peaceful approach to life, with much of their population in small villages located throughout forests and mountains. As a result of these relatively reclusive lifestyles, they are rarely seen and regarded as some what of a folklore creature and are looked at as a bit of a good luck charm. They live to be about 70 years old on average, however they mature slightly earlier than humans at 16. The Faeylin also have unique patterns. The pattern on each Faeylin will change with genetics, however families often share similar patterns. The patterned fur does not vary much in color, and they tend to be only lighter/darker tones of their main fur color.

Regardless of gender, Faeylin grow horns. Every village of Faeylin has a slightly varying culture, but horns tend to play a large part in tradition everywhere. Horn size among males determines their social status, while females adorn their horns (which are on average slightly smaller,) with charms. Some more extreme traditions involve making a "mold" for horns. Horn growth starts at 5 years old for most, and these horns will continue to grow their entire lives. The process of molding a horn involves attaching a "brace" to the head of a young Faeylin. This brace stays on full time for a few years, until it is worn nightly as horn growth tends to slow after maturity.  Horn shape is also determined by genetics, and each individual Faeylin will have their own unique horn shaping.

Faeylin are not just goat people, however. While at first sight one may mistake them for a humanoid goat, there are a few key differences.
The first difference one may notice is their long and furred tails. These tails help them primarily with balance, as they are skilled long distance runners and are good at traversing rough terrain. They evolved this trait not to outrun prey like humans have, but to instead outrun and outmaneuver predators (nifty, right?) Their sturdy hooves allow them to move on surfaces that otherwise would damage their feet. Their tail can help them swiftly change direction while still maintaining balance. This is useful for swerving between trees, other obstacles, or for quick movement across otherwise dangerous areas like cliffs and rocky mountains. They also have more keen vision and hearing to aid them.

They speak a unique dialect of Elvish. However, much like Danish and Swedish in our world, Elves can understand them and they can understand Elves (albeit with a little bit of nuance. Some tribes may develop dialects so unique however that they would be considered their own language.) The biggest distinction between these two languages is that the Faeylin dialect has more throat sounds.

Subraces

Highly adaptable creatures, Faeylin will differ in appearance and features slightly depending on location. Mountain Faeylin may have thicker and lighter colored coats, while Faeylin that reside in more forested areas will have more earthy tones and lighter coats. Although technically there are many many subraces, they are often bundled into three categories: Plains, Mountain, and Forest Faeylin.

Mountain Faeylin are the lightest tones, often whites/greys, and very rarely a blueish hue. They also tend to have the largest horns out of all the subraces and the thickest coats.

Plains Faeylin are greenish tans and browns often, and have the smallest horns of them all, as well as the lightest coats.

Forest Faeylin are the stereotypical Faeylin, with moderate horn size and earthy tones and an average fur length.

Faeylin do not have to fit into these three categories though, and some have learned to adapt to even more extreme conditions...

 

(None of the images used are mine!)

Faeylin Traits

As a result of adaptation, Faeylin have a variety of traits that give them the edge up against predators.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 1. You also get +1 Proficiency in Athletics and Acrobatics

Alignment

Faeylin are a varied race, however they do often take neutral/good positions.

Size

Faeylin range from ~5 to ~6 feet tall and have slender builds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 40 feet.

Keen Senses (Darkvision)

Accustomed to twilight forests and the night sky, 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.

You have keen vision, allowing you to see in dim light (60ft) as if it were bright, and darkness as if it were dim light (30ft.) However in darkness everything takes on a greyish hue. (You can barely discern color, requires perception check.)

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Elvish (Faeylin.)