Homebrew Dorami Species Details

Their very name—Dorami—became synonymous with fear, with enslavement; with blood and war and conquest in equal and terrifying measure. These were the warriors who had subjugated a continent, whose ambition knew no bounds, and of the hundred-thousand rebellions they quelled, only time's unconquerable might could bring them to heel.

—Sen Coda, Ten Millennia of Terror: Rise and Fall of the Dorami Empires

Hailing from the furthest reaches of the Twin Spires, the dorami are a warrior race solely dedicated to the practice and perfection of war. Though they once commanded a great empire spanning continents, recent centuries and the growth of new civilizations have seen them reduced to smaller, more isolated settlements. Time, however, has done little to quench their yearning for blood and battle, and so a dorami can still prove a formidable foe—or, to the especially fortunate, a friend.

Echoes of Conquest

Dorami are large, hulking beings with sharp emerald eyes, towering above most races, and can be as large as 6½ to 7 feet tall, easily weighing over 300 pounds. They have chitinous shells that serves as natural armor, usually shades of muted green or yellow, which they often adorn themselves with religious trinkets and symbols—offerings said to empower them in the heat of battle. Their hands and feet bear razor-sharp talons, which in close quarters can be as deadly as a knife.

Not all dorami are warriors or fighters, but those that are can almost always be seen dressed from head to toe in bulky armor, often insect-like in design and matching the colour of the skin beneath so as to obscure weak spots. A dorami's armor is highly personal, crafted by hand and adapted over the years, and with time becomes a just as much a part of their body as the flesh and shell beneath. So important is this armor that a dorami will often refuse new armor—even if it is technically superior. 

UNIQUE EXPRESSION

As an extension of themselves, a dorami's armor becomes part of their physical appearance, and they are rarely if ever seen without it. If playing a physical dorami—or even a simple mix—you should consider the design of this armor carefully. What does it look like? How has it evolved over the years, and how does its design reflect your dorami's personality?

Warlords of a Dead Empire

The last dorami empire fell over 500 years ago. Nevertheless, the fearsome drive which first enabled their rapid conquests in millennia past has yet to fade, and so most dorami openly regard other races as being beneath them. Only an impressive show of strength can win one over, though even this respect is fleeting. Adventuring parties who wish to keep a dorami's might on their side must continually find ways to prove themselves and seek greater and greater challenges, or else the dorami might grow to think them unworthy of his time and leave. While some dorami have accepted their place in the new world, others secretly believe that they are simply biding their time, waiting for the other races to grow complacent before emerging from isolation and reclaiming their glorious empire.

Fiercely prideful and independent, a dorami will only rarely submit itself to the service of another. Those that do choose to travel the world will either do so as adventurers or mercenaries, acting on their own terms and only with the explicit promise of a reward. Those that renege or fail to deliver on the terms of an agreement should fear a dorami's wrath more than the enemies slain in its wake.

Brutal Hierarchy

Dorami society, driven by war and chaos though it is, is also heavily hierarchical, and it is this sliver of order which keeps their society in check. All dorami begin life in the lowest possible rank, and ascend or descend through the respect of their peers. A lower-ranking dorami in a settlement is expected to obey its superiors, although challenges from the lower ranks are common, and end in only one of two ways: triumph over a superior and the attainment of greater power—or death. 

Dorami Names

Dorami are given a personal name at birth, which becomes their sole name throughout life. If a dorami slays a superior and assumes its rank, it may choose to take on the name of its fallen opponent. For this reason, the names of many infamous dorami warlords survived for generations from challenge to challenge, and it is difficult for historians to trace exactly where and when one became another.

Male Names: Alagh, Borjigidai, Erketu, Hobogetur, Kishiligh, Kutlugh, Nachin, Shikigur, Taichu, Yesugei

Female Names: Borte, Dokuz, Enkhtuyaa, Erdenetu, Jusin, Khorijin, Khulan, Nergüi, Tegusken, Yesui

Dorami Traits

As part of your warrior heritage, your dorami character has a variety of traits.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Dorami age quickly out of necessity and die sooner than most races as a result, maturing at 10 and living to around 50-55.

Alignment

Born conquerers, the dorami take what they want and adhere to no laws save for their own personal code. Many are evil, but some seek to overcome their reputation from bygone eras and travel in search of fair challenges.

Size

Dorami are extremely tall and heavy, growing as large as 6½ to 7 feet tall and weighing well over 300 pounds. Despite this, your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Dorami Weapon Training

You have proficiency with the battleaxe, greataxe, and longbow.

Conqueror's Brutality

Critical attacks made with Strength-based weapons deal an additional 1d4 damage.

Upper Hand

When you make an attack roll, you can impose advantage on that attack roll. You must use this feature before making the first roll. 

Once you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Dorami, and one other language of your choice.