Homebrew Zotzi Species Details

The Zotzi of Vidapós are quite unlike the other residents of the bright underworld. Most of the citizens of the luminescent cities and sprawling jungles are either skeletal or ethereal, being souls from the other four realms that have been reincarnated into this strange land. The Zotzi, however, appear to have lived in this realm for much longer. Their bat-like physiology is perfectly adapted to the subterranean caverns and temples that they call home, with wings for gliding between cave walls and ears greatly adapted for finding their way in lightless places. Unfortunately, their aversion to outsiders left me unable to ask direct questions, especially since the more extreme among them have a taste for blood… - Skaïron Naïlos, Druid

 The Zotzi are a mysterious folk originating from the realm of Vidapós. Though they appear incredibly threatening, many are actually quite peaceful and only desire to be left alone. There are some that take this desire to the extreme, however, and lead raids on other living creatures to drink their blood. With their large ears, black fur, red eyes, and leathery wings, they often inspire terror in other, more common people.

Chiropteran Features

The Zotzi are similar to humans in many ways, with human-like legs, arms, and heads. The similarities end there, though. Their entire bodies are covered in black, brown, or white fur, and a leathery wing membrane extends from their torsos to their wrists, with bony structures allowing them to keep shape. Their slender fingers and toes boast sharp, curved claws that allow them to cling to tree bark and cave walls or ceilings. 

Their faces are their most bat-like features. They have flat faces, with pronounced nostrils, beady eyes, and large, angular ears. When they open their mouths, their sharp needle teeth draw attention from most onlookers. Of course, these teeth are rarely used to harm others, as most Zotzi are pacifists, and usually only use them to drain the juices from fruits and the blood of their livestock.

Subterranean Lifestyle

The Zotzi live in the vast underground caves, caverns, and cenotes of Vidapós. In these underground ecosystems, they create vast bridge cities surrounding massive step pyramids. These pyramids exist as temples to their deific patron, Xoxicalta, the bat god of seclusion and secrets. However, living in such close proximity to these temples has multiplied the devotion and zeal of some of the Zotzi, causing them to take their desire for secrecy to the extreme, and viciously murder those they considered to be intruders and bleed them dry. This act is, of course, frowned upon by the greater Zotzi community.

Zotzi Names

Zotzi names are often long and difficult to pronounce, with long syllables consisting of multiple consonants and vowels. They often receive nicknames from other people to be easier on the voices of non-Zotzi. Zotzi names are mostly unisex,

Zotzi Names: Axayacatl, Coszcanya, Cualhua, Ihuicayah, Izel, Miztli, Mizquixaual, Nenetl, Tlacohua, Tocilzoc, Xochitl.

Common Nicknames: Black-Fur, Broken-Fang, Echo-Seeker, Fruit-Breath, Glider, Long-Claw, Soft-Fur, Wide-Eye.

Zotzi Traits

The Zotzi have a wide variety of traits that allow them to be perfectly adapted to their subterranean lifestyle.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Zotzi mature at the same rate as humans, though they can live for over a century. Interestingly, those that drink the blood of humanoids seem to live for longer than non-bloodsuckers.

Bat Flight

You have a flying speed of 40 feet. You cannot fly while using a shield, wearing medium or heavy armor, or wielding a two-handed weapon.

Echolocation

You have blindsight to a range of 120 feet. You cannot use blindsight while deafened.

Zotzi Lifestyle

Choose one. You can choose an additional option upon reaching character level 5.

• Bloodsucking Bite: Using your sharp fangs, you can bite into the neck of an unwilling victim. Make a melee attack against a creature that is grappled by you, incapacitated, or restrained. On a hit, you deal 1d6 piercing damage and gain temporary hit points equal to the damage dealt.

• Plagueborn: You are not affected by disease, and you have advantage on saving throws against the poisoned condition.

• Spelunker: You gain a climbing speed of 30 feet. You cannot climb on walls without the use of your hands, but you can climb on ceilings without using your hands.

• Zotzi Screech: You can force all creatures in a 30 foot sphere around you to make a Constitution saving throw with a DC of 14. On a fail, they take 3d4 thunder damage and are deafened for 1 minute. On a success, they take no damage and aren’t deafened. You can use this feature once per long rest.