Homebrew Capybara Species Details

The capybara or greater capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) is a giant cavy rodent native to South America. It is the largest living rodent and a member of the genus Hydrochoerus. The only other extant member is the lesser capybara (Hydrochoerus isthmius). Its close relatives include guinea pigs and rock cavies, and it is more distantly related to the agouti, the chinchilla, and the nutria. The capybara inhabits savannas and dense forests and lives near bodies of water. It is a highly social species and can be found in groups as large as 100 individuals, but usually lives in groups of 10–20 individuals. The capybara is hunted for its meat and hide and also for grease from its thick fatty skin. It is not considered a threatened species.

Capybara Traits

Capybara over the course of 80 million years of evolution in the South American Jungles have gained the following abilities.

Ability Score Increase

Two different ability scores of your choice increase by 1.

Languages

Your character can speak, read, and write Common and one other language that you and your DM agree is appropriate for the character.

Adept Swimmer

You gain an advantage to Acrobatics (DEX) and Athletics (STR) checks when submerged under the water.

Stare into the Soul

As a bonus action, you can stare at any target you have made eye contact and look into their souls.

If the target fails a Wisom save of 14, they are considered frightened. A frightened creature drops what they are holding and has disadvantage on Ability Checks and Attack rolls while the source of its fear is within Line of Sight. The creature can't willingly move closer to the source of its fear.

Bite

Bite. Your jaws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with this bite attack, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier instead of bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.