Tonka (5e Race)

Tonka

“

This was the way it was when I was born. And the world I grew up in. Secluded. Afraid. It was the way my parents lived, but I did not want it. The way it was told, but I did not believe it. The way it was showed, but I did not see it. The way it was taught, but I did not accept it.

”

Physical Description

Tonkas are small and agile creatures covered in fur with perky ears and a long fluffy tail. They much resemble a human feline. Because of their size they lack physical strength. But they tend to be very talented with magic and are very agile. Some tribes have experienced hunters, using the bow or knives as their weapons, they often use magic to enhance their skills. They are few in numbers as human races tend to target them a lot because of their connection with the void. They hide in small groups dotted across the land. And use magic to hide them from the public eye.

History

Little is known about tonkas. So little in fact that many human races believe them to be extinct a long time ago. They tell children stories about tonkas. They roam only at night and if you find one they will grant you one wish. This is all wrong! Let me tell you the real story about my kin.

Our recorded history begins around the year 80. We were not considered as an actual society. As we are so small we lack physical strength and so we were unable to fend off big groups of attackers. So we only lived together in small groups. Away from “kingdoms” and “empires”. This all changed around the year 90. This is around the time the first of my kin stepped foot inside the void. His name was Drenrin, a young explorer fascinated by magic. Within the void he found power. A lot of power. And with it he created the first tonka city that made a big impact on the world: Heldrith. Almost all of the tribes gathered to construct this massive city. Drenrin taught us about the void, the power it holds… And the responsibility that comes with it. Wielding the power of the void our kin became strong magic wielding faction. None could challenge our summoner battalions. Fierce mages capable of summoning up entire armies out of thin air. Even with the knowledge we already had we always wanted more. To explore the possibilities of magic. Many of the major races started to take an interest in our kin and we always welcomed them with open arms into our beautiful city. But our happiness did not last.

It was the last day of the year 134. A day we remember well. As the city was celebrating new year's eve. Unaware of the pain yet to come. We got betrayed. As the bells tolled to announce the new year everyone's joy got turned into fear in one split second. The main tower of our city, the tower in which we research magic and also Drenrin’s residence, exploded. A humongous explosion that shook the very ground. And the bell that sounded the new year got swapped for a sound of an impending attack. Our city was under siege. the humans and their commanders at our door. Our summoners got into position on the walls and tried to fend off the attack. But it was in vain. the humans had already infiltrated our city. They attacked everyone they could get their hands on. The civilians ran home into hiding. The hostile men set houses aflame. And plundered the city. The cause of the tower’s explosion was Drenrin. As it turns out a group of human soldiers had already stormed the tower. Drenin blew himself and the tower up. To keep the humans from stealing our knowledge. The human general plundered the city. And after finding our research destroyed he took many of my kin prisoners. To be used as slaves. The summoners got a collar around their necks, to keep them from using magical powers. And without magical powers they were defenseless. The talented mages got taken away by the general. And the ones that did not have magical talents got sold off to slave traders. Tonka’s were then used as pets, toys and servants living under the human's cruel rule. Eventually, all enslaved tonkas died out. And only those that escaped the tragedy survived, hiding, afraid what the humans might do if they found them. They went back to the old ways of living, in small tribes scattered across the land.

Society

Eventually, my kind grew used to this way of living. Setting up magical barriers around their camps. Often held up by the tribe elder. They made themselves disappear. Living secluded, and resuming their research into the void. Their magical powers took a blow after losing most of their research. But they managed. Rediscovering lost arts and living in peace. Their existence went from known to all, to many, too few. Eventually, they thought the tonkas to be extinct. And they became legends and later, myths. An old civilization that died out long ago.

Names

Tonka take after the Sylvan name tradition, despite not necessarily knowing the language themselves.

Male: Doildh, Finnegan, Tearlach

Female: Ailde, Eohana, Muireachan

Tonka Traits

Cute kitten people talented with magic
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2 and your Intelligence score increases by 1.
Age. The Tonka recognise one another as adults when one has walked the void on his/her own, the most Tonka do so around the age of 18, and tend to live 300+ years due to their connection with the void
Alignment. In their own tribes they are seen as Lawful Good, but when one leaves his/her tribe it becomes a different story, when a tonka leaves his/her tribe his/her alignment changes according to the interactions between the specific group and the tonka in question.
Size. Tonka are not very tall nor wide. Your size is Small
Speed. You have a base walking speed of 25 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.
Knowledge Is Power. Tonkas are born to know everything, and they seek knowledge until they die. You are proficient in the History skill.
Profitable Size. Tonkas are small and agile, which make them perfect for scouting and assassinations. You do not expend extra movement when squeezing, you do not have disadvantage in Dexterity saving throws.
Void Training. Due to the training in the void, you have advantage in saving throws against two of the following conditions when it would be casted upon you by magic: blinded, charmed, deafened, and frightened.
Languages. You can read, write and speak in Common and one additional language of your choice.

Random Height and Weight

Table: Tonka Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier	Base Weight	Weight Modifier
5′ 0″	+2d6	11 lb.	× (1) lb.

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