Beastfolk, Lapids (3.5e Race)

Lapids

Originally, the Lapids arose from the runoff of a negligent wizard’s tower. Some versions of the story say that it was an evil cult who let their byproducts and leftover magical concoctions leak out in the hopes of creating monsters of the local wildlife – if this is so, then it was likely a similar group to that which created the Mouselings and Ratlings. These byproducts flowed into a stream that ran through a nearby field. This field was pockmarked all over with rabbits holes, and every rabbit there drank from the stream at some point. When this wizard (or cult, depending on who you ask) was finally brought to task by an order of druids and their allies, the Lapids were discovered during the cleanup of the damages. As the Lapids were not evil and seemed quite healthy and content, they were allowed to go their own way, and have spread from their humble beginnings. The small and weak Lapids would be easy to dismiss as being of no consequence, and indeed this is what happens all-too-often. But the rabbitfolk are not the sort who should be underestimated, for though they are small of size and light of frame, they are also capable of dangerous tactics, using their incredible, magically-powered speed to gain an edge either in strategic mobility or in retreat, and can be incredibly brave (or incredibly foolhardy) when the occasion requires. They are a tribal folk, living in warrens they burrow beneath hills and in mounds they build, in a manner similar to that of gnomes and some fey, banding together for the safety that comes in numbers, often staying at the level of a simple hunter-gatherer society, though a few groups are incredibly organized and even expansive on a small scale. One aspect of their race that is of incredible importance is their tendency for telling stories. All Lapids grow up hearing and spinning tales of their own, and the best storyteller in a Lapid tribe is revered with almost religious awe.

Personality

Lapids give good credence to the term ‘dumb bunny,’ for they tend to be simple of thought and uncomplicated in their desires. They also tend to be communally-oriented, the importance of the group as a whole outweighing the importance of individuals. Individual achievement is encouraged, though, for it can improve the lot of the community. Most Lapids will back down from direct confrontations, though there are a few who are incredibly hot-tempered, and often spoil for fights and confrontations. Despite their tendencies, Lapids are an attractive and personable people, their focus on the needs of others and their incredible skill in telling entertaining or educational stories making them easy to like.

Physical Description

A slight and seldom-seen people, the Lapid are small in size, ranging from as small as 4' to as tall as 5', with a slight build to their bodies ensuring that they lack much muscle mass or significant bulk on their lean runner's frames. They have long, very sensitive ears, a tail like an upturned leaf or a ball of fluffy white cotton, and large, bright eyes that are usually brown, red, violet or blue, though a rare few (called the Blessed) have startlingly brilliant green eyes, thought to be the result of a dalliance with a deity somewhere in the Lapid’s parentage. Their fur colorations tend to be similar to those of nonhumanoid rabbits, with variations ranging from albino white to melanism black, though a glossy brown is most common.

Relations

Lapids are on reasonably good terms with the elves, though the elves sometimes worry about Lapids overpopulating the regions where they live, a fear shared by most species who know this fecund race. Because of this, Lapids are often on their own when defending themselves against the various dangers of the wilds, though not to the point where they will be truly endangered, and never when they are assaulted by evil races. They do not feel any resentment for this, though, feeling it a part of the natural way, and will often give their support to any call for assistance, since glorious battle (even if a Lapid spends most of the battle running) can make for wonderful stories. Lapids are very friendly with halflings, loving the many tales told by this traveling race, and not minding much when a few objects turn up missing afterwards. And if they like halflings, Lapids are absolutely enthralled by gnomes and their illusory powers. They are similarly interested and even fascinated by foxkin, but they also have a degree of residual instinctive fear towards the fox spirits, and tend to be easy pickings for a clever foxkin to dupe, which makes them wary of the clever vulpines. Wolfen and orcs are absolutely terrifying to Lapids, who see these races as personifications of the unbridled ferocity of the wild world around them, and even the bravest among the Lapids will do all that can be done to avoid these races if at all possible.

Alignment

Lapids tend to be Neutral, living simple subsistence lives for the most part, and focusing on what will keep them alive first and foremost. They are inspired to greatness by storytelling, however, and this can spur them on to great acts of good, since they prefer heroes winning in their tales, rather than villains. In their stories and in their daily lives they do not see any less greatness in a trickster hero than a mighty warrior of valor, as long as they accomplish the task to which they set themselves.

Lands

Lapids are a fecund race, and can multiply rapidly when left unchecked. Their tribal lifestyle, however, has a high mortality rate, and they often live in plains on the edges of woods, or just inside the cool green of the forests. These areas are pleasant and hospitable, but there are also few defenses, and so dangerous creatures, evil races, and the difficulty of getting food in hard years usually keep their populations down to reasonable limits. Some Lapids have made the transition to city life and live well enough among other races, though these are a minority, as most Lapids truly prefer the great outdoors.

Religion

As a simple, tribal people, the Lapids are equally simple in their worship of the gods and the spirits of the natural world around them, not generally differentiating between the two. They love religion, though, for the incredible stories that always come with it. They will sometimes worship Ehlonna or Yondalla, though their understanding of these goddesses is only partial, and have a preference for kindly and beneficial nature and fertility deities and trickster gods, who can beat the odds despite their physical weakness or other disadvantages.

Language

Most Lapids speak a simple form of Sylvan as their native language, and Common is commonly known as well, both being their starting languages. They are also able to select Elven, Feline, Gnoll, Gnome, Halfling, Orc, Squeak Speak and Wolfen as bonus languages.

Names

Lapids are divided into a variety of different tribes, each named after a place, though this is not necessarily the place where the tribe in question originated or where it lives now. The tribal name acts as a surname, though it is often omitted, as Lapids are not as hung up on parentage as some races, though they often draw their best friends from among their siblings. Forenames tend to be simple, often a descriptor of a personality or physical trait, or simply something that the parents thought would be neat at the time, usually involving plants. Common male names include Bold, Dash, and Redthorn, while common female names include Dreamer, Moonflower, and Softwood. Plant-based first names, such as Blackberry, Dandelion, and Hazel are often used for both sexes interchangeably. Tribal names include Greenfields, Talltree, and Wideplain.

Adventurers

Young Lapids often find that they feel stifled with the common, boring life in the warren, and so it is not at all uncommon for them to roam for a time. Since Lapids like being with friends, joining parties is the most natural thing in the world for a Lapid. Lapids make excellent scouts and rangers with their incredible bursts of speed. Their brash confidence and connection to magic often leads them to become bards or, when their innate magical talent surfaces, sorcerers. They do not usually have the discipline or innate intelligence needed to be wizards.

Racial Traits

• +2 Dexterity, +2 Charisma, -2 Strength, -2 Intelligence
• Monstrous Humanoid
• Small: +1 size bonus to AC, +4 size bonus to Hide checks, and -4 size penalty to Grapple
• Lapid base land speed is 20 feet
• Low-light vision
• +2 to Jump and Listen checks
• Light Build: Lapids are unable to wear Heavy armor.
• Burrow Dweller: Thanks to their large, sensitive ears coupled with experience with the extensive underground burrows of Lapid warrens, Lapids get the Blind Fight Feat for free as a bonus starting Feat.
• Expeditious Retreat: 1/day— Caster level is 1.
• Automatic Languages: Common, Sylvan. Bonus Languages: Elven, Feline, Gnoll, Gnome, Halfling, Orc, Squeak Speak, Wolfen.
• Favored Class: Bard or Scout.
• Level Adjustment: 0

Lapid Subrace: Hare

The Hare subrace of the Lapids is almost identical to normal Lapids, except that Hare Lapids are taller and much stronger of build, though they sacrifice some agility to obtain these traits. Hare Lapids are also noted for being quite brave and stalwart as warriors. Hare Lapids are an offshoot of the race that interbreeds freely with normal Lapids.

Racial Traits

• +2 Charisma, -2 Intelligence
• Monstrous Humanoid
• Medium-size
• Hare Lapid base land speed is 30 feet
• Low-light vision
• +2 to Jump and Listen checks
• Burrow Dweller: Thanks to their large, sensitive ears coupled with experience with the extensive underground burrows of Lapid warrens, Hare Lapids get the Blind Fight Feat for free as a bonus starting Feat
• Expeditious Retreat: 1/day— Caster level is 1.
• Automatic Languages: Common, Sylvan. Bonus Languages: Elven, Feline, Gnoll, Gnome, Halfling, Orc, Squeak Speak, Wolfen.
• Favored Class: Ranger or Scout.
• Level Adjustment: 0

Lapid Subrace: Jackalope

Jackalopes are the legendary ideal of every Lapid, able to outwit larger, more dangerous adversaries and then escape unscathed. They look like normal Lapids in every respect, except that both males and females of the subrace have a pair of functional antlers protruding from their heads, right behind their large rabbit’s ears. Also, thanks to a strange modification of the vocal chords, Jackalopes are able to mimic just about any sound which they have heard before, including voices. These Lapid relatives are noted for being incorrigible tricksters, though most of them are Chaotic Good, and they are adept in the use of hit-and-run tactics as well as being master storytellers and con artists. A mostly Chaotic Neutral variety of Jackalope exists, with a single spiral horn protruding from its forehead instead of a pair of antlers. This creature is called an al’miraj, but all their abilities and statistics are the same.

Racial Traits

• +4 Dexterity, +2 Charisma, -2 Strength
• Monstrous Humanoid
• Small: 1 size bonus to AC, +4 size bonus to Hide checks, and -4 size penalty to Grapple checks
• Jackalope base land speed is 20 feet
• Low-light vision
• +2 to Bluff, Jump and Listen checks
• Mimickry: Jackalopes are able to mimic the voices of others on a successful Bluff check, opposed by Sense Motive
• Natural Weapon: Antlers (1d4 piercing damage), x2 when used in a charge
• Burrow Dweller: Thanks to their large, sensitive ears coupled with experience with the extensive underground burrows of Lapid warrens, Lapids get the Blind Fight Feat for free as a bonus starting Feat.
• Expeditious Retreat: 1/day— Caster level is 1.
• Automatic Languages: Common, Sylvan. Bonus Languages: Elven, Feline, Gnoll, Gnome, Halfling, Orc, Squeak Speak, Wolfen.
• Favored Class: Bard or Scout.
• Level Adjustment: +1

Vital Statistics

Table: Random Starting Ages

Adulthood	Simple	Moderate	Complex
years	+	+	+

Table: Aging Effects

Middle Age^1	Old^2	Venerable^3	Maximum Age
years	years	years	+ years
At middle age, −1 to Str, Dex, and Con; +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha. At old age, −2 to Str, Dex, and Con; +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha. At venerable age, −3 to Str, Dex, and Con; +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha.

Table: Random Height and Weight

Gender	Base Height	Height Modifier	Base Weight	Weight Modifier
Male	' "	+	lb.	× () lb.
Female	' "	+	lb.	× () lb.

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