Castoran (5e Race)
Castoran
Warm and curious creatures, the castorans find even the simplest of things fascinating. This fascination in things can lead a castoran away from the comforts of its river-side home, to venture into the vast world beyond. Many races consider the castorans to be naïve and easily-fooled, referring to them with derogatory names such as "buck-teeth" and "flat-tails", but they will always prove their diversity with their surprising strength, colorful imagination and master craftsmanship.
Physical Description
The castorans are most easily described as humanoid beavers, bearing the same large front teeth and strong, flat tails as those of their beaver cousins. They are naturally strong creatures, clearly visible in their arms and back, and are often hired by other races to act as bouncers or bodyguards. Their head is positioned slightly low on their body, and their neck is buried under their shoulder muscles and fur, making them appear to be crouched forward at all times. While their hands appear normal, yet clawed, their feet are webbed, enhancing their swimming. Lastly, their tails hang just above ground level. They appear to be flat and feeble, but they can be swung at great strength.
History
Castorans are native to the world and are said to have evolved from an ancient species of Beaver that were constantly hunted by men. Due to their disadvantage in being only critters, castorans are not plenty to this day. Originally preferring the comforts and safety of their own homes, castorans were once rarely seen, only sighted if one dared to come out of hiding. In the last few thousand years, however, they have grown more comfortable around the other races, and despite their ancient struggle, they have come to accept humans as friends as well.
Society
Due to their beaver ancestry, castorans are profound woodcarvers and carpenters. Castoran settlements, known as lodges, are most often built by rivers and are entirely made of wood carved from the trees in the area. Like beavers, the most infamous and remarkable of Castoran architecture are their dams, which they often build across heavy flowing rivers to control and divert the flowing of water into their lodge. They do not use tools to carve their wood but instead use their large front teeth to chip away piece-by-piece until they have their desired shape. If a lot of chopping is required, however, castorans often resolve to use saws or axes.
Castorans are a generous species and love to play host to guests, especially to members of other races. A dinner party at a castoran’s home is considered a splendid evening, known to offer plenty of food, intriguing entertainment, and enthralling conversation. Some find this ambition to be a downfall, however, as castorans can get easily wound up by the lack of quality at another individual’s event and may even take over if it is enabled. It is always assured, however, that if you have a castoran by your side, you need not worry about running low on rations.
Castoran Names
Castorans are given names at birth, and often pass names down from older to younger generations. Some castoran families even invent their own names for their children. Their family names are kept throughout life, opting to use double-barreled family names when married to represent their birth family and in-law family.
Male: Ronell, Habier, Boan, Trevor, Jann, Moe, Gustus, Fabien, Lommy, Edgur, Garlend, Rickel, Bolbur, Harris, Alvin, Peter, Wesley, Fidius
Female: Patsy, Tarline, Roslyn, Harley, Jasmin, Kaylin, Daneille, Idris, Wanda, Mysley, Ella, Lorna, Kathelin
Family Names: Heisenberg, Rastley, Ottercop, Harvendown, Dale, Damson, Pettingrew, Warren, Coastley, Fryer
Castoran Traits
Master craftsmen of wood and profound house guests, these beaver-like humanoids share similar traits to their critter cousins.
Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 2, and your Strength score increases by 1.
Age. A castoran reaches adulthood at the age of 18 and lives to be around 90 years old.
Alignment. Most castorans are Chaotic Good, looking to help whenever they personally believe something is wrong. They can get caught up in the adrenaline when things are exciting and sometimes cause more harm than good, but they are quick to correct whatever fault they have caused.
Size. Castoran stand between 4 and 5 feet tall and average at about 150 pounds. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 25 feet. Your speed when swimming is 30 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.
Keen Senses. You have proficiency in the Perception skill.
Natural Swimmer. Accustomed to life by the river-side, you have a swimming speed of 30 feet and can hold your breath for twice as long.
Tail Weapon. As an action, you can swing your tail at an enemy within 5 feet of you. Make a melee attack roll against the target, if successful, the target takes 1d4 + your Strength modifier in bludgeoning damage and must make a Strength saving throw equal to 8 + your Strength modifier + your proficiency bonus. If they fail they are knocked prone. Targets whose size is bigger than Large automatically pass the save and Large size creatures have advantage on the save, while Small and smaller creatures have disadvantage.
Wood Master. You have proficiency with the Carpenter’s tools and Woodcarver’s tools.
Languages. You can read, write, and speak Common and the language of whichever race’s town or city your home river runs into. For example, if your river runs into a Dwarven town nearby, you will have picked up the Dwarven language, or if your river runs through an Elven city in the forest, you will have picked up the Elven language.
Random Height and Weight
| Base Height | Height Modifier* | Base Weight | Weight Modifier** |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4′ 5″ | +2d4 | 130 lb. | × (1d4 x 2d4) lb. |
|
*Height = base height + height modifier | |||
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