Runeterra: Yordle (5e Race)
Yordle
I'm no hero, I'm just a yordle with a hammer.
--Poppy
![]() |
---|
Tristana - The Yordle Gunner |
History
Yordles are possibly the oldest sentient race in Runeterra still existing. They evolved from fae creatures several thousands of years ago. The earliest Yordles are reported to have existed in nomadic tribes in what is now the Frelijord. Due to thier small stature, the primitive Yordles were constantly being consumed by larger predators and harnessed innate magic to protect themselves. Due to the innate eldritch arts they discovered, Yordles quickly became more advanced and smarter. Today, the vast majority of the Yordle society dwells in the southeastern part of Valoran, behind the safety of the Sablestone Mountain range. They eventually settled themselves within the Ruddynip Valley known as the Yordle Land, where modern day Bandle City is located. Their knowledge of magic, the sciences and arts made them an integral part of Valoran society and are present in its Politics.
Undersized and Underestimated
Yordles rarely grow over a meter in height, most averaging 0.8 meters. Their skin texture ranges from comepletely smooth to being very lightly covered in fur to being signifigantly furry. Due to longtime exposure to innate magics, Yordle skin color ranges a much wilder spectrum than other races. Most male Yordles grow fur in colors of orange and tan while female Yordles remain smooth-skinned or with a very light coat of blue or white fur. Some Yordles with little to no fur (often females) are sometimes called "Meglings". Yordles generally have inferior vision in the normal spectrum of light than humans. They nevertheless have much better hearing and are able to see into the infrared spectrum of light, whereas humans cannot. Furthermore, they are commonly characterized by their dependence on language, as well as their creation and utilization of complex tools.
Fae Longevity
Yordles have exceptionally longer lifespans than most humans, this partially due to their innate magic and Fae ancestry. The average life of a Yordle is 500 years, but they appear youthful for most of that life. Many Yordle elders remember the terrible Rune Wars and other events that happened centuries ago. The Yordle race have innate magic within them which helps them achieve extraordinary things usually impossible for someone of their stature. Also, they require far more social interaction with their own kind than humans do. They generally are a peaceful and amicable race, often marked with streaks of joviality and light prankishness; their moral compass is most often pointed toward goodness and benevolence. Their desire for social interaction drives them toward this ethos, as the mental health of a yordle is very much dependent on the positive company he or she keeps. This does not mean, however, that they are incapable of cruelty and evil. In fact, a yordle who is kept in isolation for too long – especially from contact with other yordles – runs the risk of becoming withdrawn and sullen. Some who already are centered more toward malevolence will become exceedingly so in due course. These yordles will often twist their desire for social interaction into a desire to seek out others to inflict pain and suffering upon them, but such examples are very rare.
Yordle Names
Among Yordles, surnames don't exist. Any yordle with what seems to be a last name is actually just a unique Yordle that has a title/nickname bestowed upon them for a trait or habit.
Male: Aelhand, Brundon, Carrus, Ferrin, Greemus, Halbert, Jacoby, Leland, Marko, Pelias, Raurus, Talliannid, Xavier, Zeke.
Female: Brandy, Catarine, Eala, Galli, Helena, Kellie, Kittie, Margo, Quiver, Sabrina, Terri.
Yordle Traits
Jovial, fierce critters who can surprise the most unsurprised.
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Wisdom increases by 1.
Age. Yordles fully mature at 40, but overall, do not die from age alone.
Alignment. Yordles often tend towards good alignments but some extremely evil yordles exit. Yordles are rarely neutral.
Size. Most Yordles are less than a meter tall and weigh 60 pounds on average. Your size is Small.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Innate Magic. You know the cantrips friends and guidance. You require no material components to cast any of these spells.
Keen Senses. You have proficiency in the Perception skill.
Fey Ancestry. Yordles have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can't put Yordles to sleep.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Yordle. Yordle is a very efficient language and many phrases in Common are replaced by single words in Yordle.
Random Height and Weight
Base Height | Height Modifier | Base Weight | Weight Modifier |
---|---|---|---|
2′ 2″ | +1d12 | 40 lb. | × (1d4) lb. |
Suggested Characteristics
When creating a Yordle character, you can use the following table of traits, ideals, bonds and flaws to help flesh out your character. Use these tables in addition to or in place of your background's characteristics.
d4 | Personality Trait |
---|---|
1 | I don't like being treated like a child, and get angry when I am. |
2 | Whenever I meet someone taller than me, which is everyone, I stare impolitely. |
3 | I find humor in a lot of things, most often the things I make. |
4 | Despite my ferocity, nobody takes me seriously, making me more fierce. |
d4 | Ideal |
---|---|
1 | Kindness One should always be gentle and understanding. (good) |
2 | Joviality Flash a smile, crack a joke, make a friend, that's what matters. (neutral) |
3 | Family Blood runs thicker than water, and among us Yordles, it runs for years. (any) |
4 | Adventure Wanderlust must be sated, curiosity must be fed. (chaotic) |
d4 | Bond |
---|---|
1 | I'm determined to break the mold, I will be the greatest Yordle in Runeterra. |
2 | Evil folks destroyed my easy livelihood, I'll take it back, thank you. |
3 | Why do I adventure? For the thrill, of course! I need no other reason to do so. |
4 | I want to be the greatest techmaturgist ever, and for that, I'll need to find magical artifacts. |
d4 | Flaw |
---|---|
1 | I tend to alienate people by never shutting up. |
2 | My wanderlust gets me to wander in the wrong places. |
3 | Despite my innocent outward appearance, I house vile thoughts. |
4 | When it comes to important situations, I'm pretty clueless. |
Back to Main Page → 5e Homebrew → Races