Briar Skulk (5e Race)
Briar Skulk
| “ | That's the second cow this week. I'm telling you there IS something out there, and there's little chance that it's willing to be civil with us. | ” |
| —Farmer | ||
Physical Description
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| Art by Kekai Kotaki, from Guild Wars 2 |
Briar skulks are lean built canines covered by thick spiny quills that resemble the brambles of their native forests. Their fur is leafy in appearance, like foliage, and ranges in colors from moss green to darker browns in the fall. There are also brighter colors like red and orange fall leaves. They have milky blank eyes set atop their elongated snout with sharp teeth and powerful muscle. While quadrapedal in nature, they have the capacity to stand and wield weapons like a bear thanks to a specialized thumb-like bone on their front paws.
History
Briar skulks were thought to only be a myth until just recently. They were a whispered legend among natives about a kind of hound that protected forests from loggers. The stories tell of these beasts that could talk intelligently, that partied with the local forest denizens, and protected them from the encroaching outer world. Developments in the civilized world led to fire magic and weapons being readily available. The skulks could not fend off all the new attackers, who often came armed with this new technology. These noble beasts were pushed out of their territories and fled to lands beyond the reach of society. Now, in the deepest and darkest depths of only the most lethal forests, they dwell and scowl as ill feelings bred in their hearts. Still fierce warriors and skilled hunters, they have survived side by side with the other savage denizens of the night. One day, they will lay siege to civilization and liberate the forests of fear.
Society
These creatures live in closely knit tribes deep with in the darkest and most dangerous forests, and have become accustomed to the hardships inside. Male briar skulks are known to hunt in small packs and prowl the surrounding land for prey while the females tend to their young, should they have any. Despite this, the females are just as if not more fierce than the males in combat, and act as a secondary guard for their tribe while the males are out hunting. An alpha couple rule over a tribe and organize the hunts according to the needs of the group. Maturity is often pushed for in young ones, as the weak and feeble are only liabilities for the tribe. Briar skulks are able to use weapons, but when fighting one of their own, they find that disrespectful.
Briar Skulk Names
Briar skulk names are derived from Sylvan and commonly based upon unique or defined physical traits at birth.
Male: Mawgrimm, Austweiss, Iaolann, Ullya
Female: Illwyn, Fehyta, Orille, Swyfang
Briar Skulk Traits
Primal and lean canines with a thick coat of piercing quills.
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1.
Age. Briar Skulk's may live to be around 70 years old.
Alignment. For the most part, neutral paths are the most common for briar skulks.
Size. Heights can range from 5'4 to just under 6'4 standing up. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 35 feet.
Darkvision. 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.
Thorny Barrage. As a reaction to a creature attacking you, you may discharge your quills. Any creature within 15 feet of you must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save a creature takes 2d8 piercing damage or half damage to a success. You regain the use of this ability after a long rest. The DC for this saving throw equals 8 + your Constitution modifier + your proficiency bonus. The damage increases to 3d8 at 6th level, 4d8 at 11th level, and 5d8 at 16th level.
Natural Weapons. You can attack with unarmed strikes using your claws or fangs. You are proficient with your unarmed strikes, which deal 1d4 + your Dexterity modifier in piercing or slashing damage on a hit.
Hunter Sense. You are considered proficient in the Perception skill.
Languages. You can speak, read and write Common, and Sylvan.
Random Height and Weight
| Base Height | Height Modifier* | Base Weight | Weight Modifier** |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5′ 4″ | +1d12 | 120 lb. | × (1d4) lb. |
|
*Height = base height + height modifier | |||
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