Homebrew Derelict Species Details

Far away amidst a dark and rocky wasteland dwell the Derelict. A land that knows no sunlight or greenery due to suffocating clouds of ash that cover the sky. There is no soil, for the howling winds have blown it all away. Devoid of snow despite the altitude, the only water to be found is far underground. The surface is riddled with sharp crags, volcanoes, and is frequented by storms of lightning, ash, and dust. Still, if you were to journey here you'd find those who call it home.

The only maps and scrolls documenting this scarce landscape were left behind centuries ago by a priest who traveled here seeking to find the highest mountain in the world to commune with his god, only to turn back upon enduring 2 weeks of "hell on earth". His writings include several encounters with large creatures he described as "derelict beasts, forsaken by any and all divine guidance and left to suffer in the most hostile and unforgiving environment known to man", the decades following his work coining the phrase he used for the fabled monsters.

The Derelict are described as 8-13 feet tall at the shoulder. They have gray, clammy skin that is barely visible beneath layers of natural, rocky armor that grows on their bodies. This armor has the appearance of multi-layered shale but with the hardness of iron and comes in a variety of dull colors. Their natural position sports a heavy hunch-back and despite their armored necks being several feet long, they carry their heads at eye-level to many other races. They have legs similar to that of a large reptile and lanky arms that hang to their knees, both have black claws suitable for digging and climbing. They have large four-fingered hands that have a "thumb" on either side. Their heads have a "T" shape similar to that of a hammerhead shark but with a much lower, protruding jawline that comes with two rows of sharp teeth. They have no noses or lips and prefer to "taste" the air like a snake. Their eyes have black sclera and reptilian pupils suited for spotting movement in the dark.

Although they are quite ghastly in appearance, the Derelict have their own language and society. However, it is unknown whether any other race can produce the clicks and rumbles they use to communicate.

Lone Survivors

Given a large hostile landscape where competition for resources is fierce, adults will seldom interact with one another on a day-to-day basis. Their morality is dictated by natural selection; only those who can protect and provide for themselves deserve to live. One's value is determined by strength and resourcefulness, the weak, injured, or elderly are left behind.

Clan Rites

Despite their emphasis on individual survivability, Derelict society is organized into clans. However, this is only for territorial and defensive reasons. Each clan claims it's own territory around a volcano and expand and protect their borders from there. Clan members will not share resources or shelter with each other unless they are a mating pair, related, or close friends.

Each clan is divided into social ranks based entirely on birthright and battle prowess. Members of any rank can make demands of those in lower ranks than themselves. Typically there is only one member in the top rank, regarded as the strongest in the clan, although they have no real legal or governmental authority. Decisions are valued based on earned respect through rank, which is often challenged.

To settle a disagreement or to change one's place in society, any lower-ranking clan member may challenge a Derelict with equal or higher rank. If they are only one rank above, the challenge is almost always accepted and it is considered cowardly to refuse which may affect their status in their current rank. If they are more than one rank above, it is far more common to refuse the challenge and it is not shameful to do so. If the one challenging a higher rank loses, nothing changes. If the challenger wins, they gain the rank of their opponent who falls a rank from where they were. If the two of them are the same rank, the loser falls a rank and the winner does not change.

Ritual Combat

A clan comes together periodically following the eruption of the volcano within their territory, typically inside a colosseum the clan has dug into the ground or a nearby mountain. All adult clan members are made part of a series of tournament-style duels. Duels last until forfeit or death. Forfeiting during the tournament does not change social rank. However, if a combatant kills an opponent with a higher rank they immediately replace them.

Offspring

All adult members are capable of reproducing with one another. However, the volcanic eruption is the only time they are able to reproduce due to certain gases being released that trigger sexual receptivity. After the tournament is over, adults will pick a mate from any opponents that forfeited to them; typically the highest-ranking one is chosen to produce the most viable offspring.

Since all Derelict are the same gender, they have no sexual dimorphism. Traits commonly associated with feminity such as slimmer builds or higher-pitched voices are just as likely to be passed onto or expressed in offspring as much as any other trait.

The Derelict that forfeited will be the one to carry and lay the egg, the majority of the resulting offspring's traits will be from their partner rather than themselves.

Derelict Traits

Derelict share a number of traits in common with each other.

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength and Constitution scores increase by 2, but your Charisma score decreases by 2.

Age

Derelict have longer lifespans than humans. They enter adulthood between their 20's and 30's and can live for up to 300 years but more than likely will die from other causes long before then.

Size

Derelict are between 8 and 12 feet tall at the shoulder, but are actually between 10 and 15 feet tall when standing upright and straighten their necks. Your size is Large.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Monstrous Build

You have proficiency in the Strength skill.  You cannot wear armor of any kind and may only wield two-handed weapons

Stone's Endurance

You can focus yourself to occasionally shrug off injury. When you take damage, you can use your reaction to roll a d12. Add your Constitution modifier 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.

Darkvision

You have Darkvision with a range of 60 feet

Mountain Born

You have resistance to cold damage. You’re also acclimated to high altitude, including elevations above 20,000 feet.

Strange Tongue

You can understand and speak Abbysal, Deep Speech, and Infernal but cannot write anything.