Homebrew Cervai (Deer Centaurs) Species Details

"Inquisitive and prudent, Cervai are graceful fey that from head to waist resemble humanoids, and from waist to haunches, are deer; They resemble centaurs only in that they too are chimeric, human-esque quadrupeds."                                    - Anonymous Visitor to the Fey Wilds
                              

 

Oh Deer…

The Cervai’s upper half can be a wide range of light and dark neutral skin tones, while their deer half can range from earthy colors like snow white and fox red to mossy green and shadow black. Generally the deer end is either a darker or lighter color than their humanoid half; They are also generally sable, ticked, or fallow spotted. 

These fey have long, deer-like ears that come to a furry point and droop in an impish fashion. All Cervai also possess relatively small antlers of varied shapes and sizes that can be “hidden” at will. 

Their spindly deer form grants them speed and maneuverability, though they lack the strength of their equine look-alikes. Dainty hooves and relative light weight make them much more apt climbers than Centaurs on rocky or mountainous terrain. Cervai live till about 160 years old and are considered early-adults at 30 and full-adults at 60 yrs old.

Curious and Bright

These fey delight in nature, the arts, and knowledge. They love to broaden their horizons despite their cautious dispositions that sometimes halt the process. Cervai who give into their more skittish nature tend to stay comfortable and safe in their earthen or plant meadow-homes. 

Braver Cervai venture out into the unpredictable world, determined to follow their wonders. These studious creatures often find themselves seeking out answers with rarely an ulterior motive besides quenching their curiosity. 

PASSIONATE OBSERVERS

Trailblazing Cervai who take it upon themselves to share their discoveries have earned fame as fervent scholars and teachers.

 

Cervai Names

Cervai under the age of 30 have names that are short and generally don’t adhere to gender specifics. On a Cervai's 30th birthday, they add syllables to the end of their childhood name to create their longer, elegant name of adulthood. Cervai names like to take influences from other cultures; The result is names that don’t follow any rules, but are unique and meaningful to the individual.

The short names are picked by the parents at birth and cannot go over 2 syllables, while adulthood names are 4 syllables; In Cervai culture the adulthood name is longer to show the personal growth of the anointed. There are name ceremonies at 1 month of age, 30 years of age, and 150 years of age; The latter is when the Cervai adds one more syllable to complete their “True Name” or "Elder Name".

EXAMPLES:

1 Month - 29 Years (1-2 syllables):

Viv, Lok, Tiki, Ham.

30-149 Years (4 syllables):

Vivashana, Lokenkezar, Tikilana, Hammondleo.

150-x Years (5 syllables):

Vivashanada, Lokenkezarshe, Tikilanadan, Hammondleoni

Two Tribes

Cervai are loosely split into two variants specified by genetic traits and locations. The two tribes are The Solfami and The Lunbrosi. The Solfami exist in the southern and western most parts of the fey wild and are associated with boisterous celebration and warm optimism. Their deer ends have sleek, short hair to support the warmer climate. At their best, The Solfami are Inspiring and bold. At worst, they are overreaching and obnoxious.

The Lunbrosi of Northern and Eastern fey wilds however are associated with quiet contemplation and reserved realism. They have furrier bodies to support the colder climate. At their best, The Lunbrosi are steadfast and inventive. At worst, they can be pessimistic and isolationist.

Both clans share caution and grand arts; stunning musicians, poets, and artists have been born from them.

Cervai Cities

Cervai Cities are vast communities that exist in bustling settlements with multiple epicenters. Often these tribes have small satellite villages peppering out in any which direction. 

Cervai buildings are made with different materials depending on the size. Smaller buildings, whether they be within the walls of a settlement or in a satellite village, are made of tightly woven plant-matter with the aid of woodland magic. These plant huts make surprisingly water resistant dwellings that have a low environmental impact and can be made large enough for a whole family to live in.

Inclement weather and heating problems are solved with protection spells and pre-built fireplaces respectively. Each plant house starts with an earthen fireplace and chimney in the location of the home, then the vines and other matter are  weaved around it. When the weather gets rough, most Cervai have spare abode-protection spells for such occasions. A hollow glass marble containing the spell only needs to be broken in the home (most prefer the fireplace so as to not have glass shards on the floor), then a containment bubble of sorts engulfs the home. They last for 12 hours at a time before a new protection spell must be applied.

Big city settlements have large buildings of hardened earth and stone: utilizing learned building techniques, they know how to make a strong earthen building out of a concrete equivalent. Having multiple stories, these adobes have ramps leading up the building to each floor. No more than three stories high, the rooms of these buildings have soft grass and moss on the flooring. Stones are added to the walls during the curing process to create beautiful mosaics that help keep heat in. These structures keep the elements well at bay and are used as apartment buildings and workplaces. 

Cervai (Deer Centaurs) Traits

Your Cervai character has many useful traits aligned with their deer-ish form and sharp mind.

Deer Half

Your Carrying Capacity is multiplied by 1.5. 

You cannot wear boots. Your legs are slender enough to attempt to wear pants, but they would require tailoring and a belt. Horse armor and saddles can be worn if they can be carried without being encumbered. You can only ride mounts that can safely seat you. You may be mounted if you wish, but not if you will be encumbered.

In addition, any climb that requires hands and feet (provided it isn't rocky or mountainous, which you actually do well) is especially difficult for you because of your deer legs. When you make such a trudge, each foot of movement costs you 4 extra feet, instead of the normal 1 extra foot.

Bounding Retreat

Foes have disadvantage on opportunity attacks.

Cantrip

Your Fey magic supplies you with a cantrip. You may pick one Wizard or Druid Cantrip to keep.

Proficient Archers

Proficiency in Shortbow, Longbow, Light Crossbow, Heavy Crossbow.

Hide Antlers

Using fey magic, you make your antlers fully disappear for an hour. A short rest recharges this ability. When your antlers reappear, anything physically in their way molds to the antlers as if they have always inhabited that space.

Keen Senses

You have Perception proficiency.

Ardent Antlers

Your antlers are natural melee weapons, which you can use proficiently to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal slashing damage equal to 1d6 + proficiency bonus.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Cervai reach early adulthood around the age of 30 and average adulthood at 60. Their lives often exceed about 160 years.

Size

Cervai are tall and slight, ranging from 5'11" to 7'4" tall. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 40 feet.

Darkvision

Thanks to your fey blood, 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

You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.

Keen mind

Through study, you have acquired an extra Proficiency of your choice.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Sylvan and In your studies, you’ve taught yourself a third, Exotic language.