Homebrew Cervine Species Details
Originating from the Feywild, cervine are a race of deer-like folk who haunt and enchant the deep wilds. While they are mysterious to some, they have a thriving culture centered on the hunt and cultivating nature. Their majestic warriors are the stuff of legend even in other cultures, and any cervine is unafraid to defend their home and family.
Size
The cervine are overall a little taller than humans: they stand around 5'6"-6'9" high. They have a surprising amount of muscle and mass, and weigh from 160-280 lbs.
Appearance
The cervine very much resemble deer, but they are overall humanoid in shape. They have a deer's legs and hooves, and arms similar to a human's that have four-fingered hands. They have a deer's head and ears. All cervine have antlers: a male cervine has wide branching antlers that spread out past their shoulders, while a female cervine has straighter and more twig-like antlers that grow slowly compared to a male's. Their eyes are typically brown in color, but in rare cases can be hazel or amber. Their fur tends to be brown of varying shades with lighter or white fur on their stomachs and inside of their thighs, sometimes with white spots on their backs and flanks.
Age
Cervine are fey and grow more slowly than humans, becoming mature at around 32 years of age. In good conditions they can live to be around 150, but most cervine are considered elderly at about 100 years old.
Alignment
Cervine tend strongly towards being Neutral in alignment. They enjoy having their freedoms but also have large clans and reward loyalty to them, and while they hunt for sport they are not overly sadistic. There have been the odd cervine who branch out into more extreme viewpoints, but cervine view themselves as a part of the wilds, which are impartial to all.
Language
The cervine are able to speak Common, as well as Fia Kiēlli, their native language. It is an offshoot of Sylvan that in modern times is known for gemination of sibilants and liquids and for its tone system. It also incorporates some loanwords from Elvish, but the two languages are not mutually intelligible. Though Fia Kiēlli is also distinct from Sylvan, they both have a soft and almost musical quality to them. Their writing uses the Espruar letters.
Names
Cervine typically have a given name and a clan name, or sometimes a title. Some given names include Koĭrrna, Crānnu, Nuōlli, Crogéa, Díllis, Fuŏrra, Finn, Vìlli, Luuja, Káulin, Tully, Avĭrrta, Duílleth, Srüta.
Cervine Traits
The cervine are quick, with strong senses and muscles.Ability Score Increase
Cervine are highly agile, but they also have sharp senses and sinewy muscles. You have +2 DEX, and a choice of +1 WIS or +1 STR.
Darkvision
Cervine eyesight is well-adapted to gloomy forests. 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.
Fey Ancestry
While they have spread throughout many worlds and seem natural enough to some, cervine are still wild and fey. You count as fey for the purposes of effects related to creature type. You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed and magic can’t put you to sleep.
Antlers
The sturdy antlers of the cervine have long been used as weapons, both by the cervine themselves and those who have taken them as trophies. You can make an unarmed attack with your antlers, which deal 1d4+STR mod. Piercing damage on a hit.
Wild Resilience
Few cervine appear bulky, and they all have a certain grace to them. But, as many pursuers and attacker have learned the hard way, they are a surprisingly durable and resilient people.
You can focus yourself to occasionally shrug off injury. When you take damage, you can use your reaction to roll 1d10. Add your Proficiency to the number rolled and reduce the damage by that total. After you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.
Verdant Vault
The cervine have springy and strong legs, capable of leaping incredible distances. Whenever you jump you are considered to have a running start.
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