Homebrew Nadyr Species Details

“Oh, terrible they were! Rulers over the forests with blood and magic most awful. Many a word written of pain and blood back then. But now...well it's been many a summer seen since all that. I've met a few Nadyr, of course. I've found them quite friendly. Oh they are intimidating to be sure, can't deny it... but have you seen one dancing in the night? The movements of supple muscles, the twisting of lithe limbs. You'd almost forget the fangs, and the stories. Would you risk the venom for a kiss though? That's the question. Another round?" 

— Volothamp Geddarm

The Nadyr are a race almost lost to time. Rare to encounter alone and even rarer to be found in communities, they are a displaced people, wanderers with no lands to call their own. Often fearsome in appearance, Nadyr history is steeped in mistrust and rumor. Called Serpentfolk, the Nadyr are descendants of an older evil serpent-like race long mixing with humans. While they may bleed as red as any human, rumor persists among other races that Nadyr are as poisonous and duplicitous as their ancestors.    

Slender and Sinewy

Standing as tall as a human and tending towards a lithe build, Nadyr appear as lean and sinewy humanoids. While they may be slender, Nadyr bone density is high, lending them a weight greater than a human of the same size. Males and females are roughly the same height, with females being just marginally taller and heavier than males. They bear prominent incisors and large canines. 

Nadyr skin coloration is similar in vivid diversity as the serpents they descend from, with all shades of green, blue and grey to be seen. Mottled skin tones similar to sand or stone are rarer, but are known to exist. Nadyr have very sparse facial and body hair, in pale shades of white and grey. While other colors are seen, they never posses naturally black hair. Nadyr eyes are noticeably brightly colored, with azure blues, deep grassy greens and deep violets seen. Nadyr are found in all types of clothing, usually in the current style of the civilization they live in, and little cultural tradition in clothing remains. 

The Last Gasp

Generations ago, the Nadyr were many. As common to encounter in their home cultures as any Drow or Duergar. Descended from a far older and mightier race of Snake-like humanoids, the Nadyr were the focus of mistrust and outright hatred from many of the surface races for centuries. Generations of warfare and displacement coupled with a naturally low birthrate have dwindled the populations of the Nadyr down to a fraction of their former presence. The ancient cities of their forbearers now nothing but overgrown shadows of their former glory, the Nadyr are a transient race. Known for an intimidating presence and deft hands, modern Nadyr are often found engaging in professional thievery or mercenary work.

Common expectations of the Nadyr being wicked and duplicitous are often unfounded, with most modern Nadyr tending towards a socially amicable personality. Although they bear the eyes and fangs of an obvious predator, the Nadyr are often a far cry from their malevolent progenitor race. Nadyr are known to be whimsical, emotional, and prone to expressions of great joy and equally great sadness. 

Originating from a land of deep forests and cavernous depths, the natural flexibility of their bodies give Nadyr an appreciation of smaller homes, able to find comfort in locales others might consider claustrophobic. 

Wandering Souls

Nadyr often take up the call to adventure seeking meaning. Their low numbers, coupled with the often negative attitudes of the other races towards them, can leave young Nadyr in a crisis of identity. Many restless Nadyr leave home seeking purpose, and the search for truth behind who they are. Nadyr living in civilization often take up the role of fighters or rogues, being both physically capable warriors and skilled at displays of dexterity, while those living in the wilds are often drawn to the life of a druid. While the emotional nature of the Nadyr often makes them unskilled and frustrated with the art of spell craft, Nadyr delving deep into the history of their people may find themselves drawn to the path of the warlock.

 

Nadyr Traits

The snake-like Nadyr are possessed of less brittle bones than other humanoid races, bending longer before breaking, making them surprisingly hardy and distinctly supple.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2. Your Constitution score increases by 1.

Age

A Nadyr reaches physical maturity around the same age as a Human. As they grow older, less signs of physical aging are present, and it is rare for a Nadyr to begin to appear truly old until they reach a significantly advanced age. Nadyr pay for their youthful looks with a comparatively short lifespan however, with few of them living beyond 80. 

Alignment

Nadyr love freedom of expression and are prone to impulsiveness and melancholy. In this respect they lean strongly toward chaos. There are many examples of both good and evil to be found in the race. 

Size

Nadyr tend towards slender builds, and usually range from 5 and a half to 6 and a half feet in height. Your size is Medium.

Serpent Ancestry

Although not venomous themselves, Nadyr are extremely resistant to other poisons and venoms. You have resistance to all poison damage, and have advantage on any saving throw to resist being poisoned. Nadyr are keenly aware of subtle poisons, and may even be able to identify the addition if a food or drink they consume is poisoned. 

Flexible Form

Nadyr are naturally flexible and excel at feats of contortion. You have advantage on any roll to escape being grappled, and gain proficiency in the acrobatics skill.  

Killing Bite

Nadyr jaws can open wide and snap shut with force in a vicious bite. Among Nadyr this primal act is considered the height of dirty fighting. While grappling an opponent you can use a bonus action to perform the killing bite, dealing piercing damage equal to 1d4 + your strength modifier. 

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Long accustomed to low light from generations in swamps and forest, 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.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Undercommon. While the Nadyr had a language of their own in generations past, it is a rare and mostly forgotten tongue.