The Vorpal Tribble
2010-04-15, 09:07 PM
I've created a number of races that I never could figure out a type for. They were not humanoid at all, even enough to be monstrous yet were completely natural and not aberrations, nor were magical.
So here is my solution.
Note: As they are in no way humanoid they are not furries, so don't get hot and heavy here.
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Mortal Type
The mortal is a being that has gained sentience as humanoids, but possess absolutely no ties or relations with them. They may have animalistic bodies, multiple legs, or no head, but they are intelligent and just as natural as any other creature, simply having grown along alternate evolutionary lines. Just as man may be an advanced ape, so is a mortal an advancement of their primitive equivalent. As such, like man, they are vaguely similar to an animalist ancestor, but they are different and highly more evolved.
The type is not inherently supernatural such as magical beasts, nor aberrant of origin. Mortal types normally range between tiny and large. They have developed societies of their own, as well as languages, though the latter may be anything from common speech to the rubbing of legs together or the production of complex scents.
All mortal creatures have a subtype that distinguishes them
Mortals with 1 Hit Die exchange the features of their mortal hit die for the class features of a PC or NPC class. Mortals of this sort are presented as 1st-level warriors, which means that they have average combat ability and poor saving throws.
Mortals with more than 1 Hit Die are the only mortals who make use of the features of the mortal type.
Features: A mortal has the following features (unless otherwise noted in a creature's entry).
- 8-sided Hit Dice, or by character class.
- Base attack bonus equal to 3/4th total Hit Dice (as cleric).
- Good Reflex saves (usually; a mortal’s good save varies).
- Skill points equal to (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) per Hit Die, with quadruple skill points for the first Hit Die, or by character class.
Traits: A mortal possesses the following traits (unless otherwise noted in a creature’s entry).
- Low-light vision.
- Proficient with all simple weapons. Each type of mortal may have additional weapons that they consider simple. Most mortals have some kind of natural weapon.
- Proficient with whatever type of armor (light, medium, or heavy) it is described as wearing, or by character class. If a mortal does not have a class and wears armor, it is proficient with that type of armor and all lighter types. Mortals not indicated as wearing armor are not proficient with armor. Mortals are not proficient with shields if they are proficient with any form of armor, but must also have it mentioned.
- Mortals breathe, eat, and sleep.
Additional Subtypes
Arthropodian
These creatures are usually possessed of an exoskeleton, though may also possess an internal. They tend to have more than 4 limbs, segmented or multiple eyes and antennae, feelers or both.
Annelidan
These creatures are usually limbless and eyeless, and elongated, with great flexibility. They tend to breathe through their skins instead of lungs and many possess the ability to burrow.
Traits
- Blindsense 30 ft.
Avian
These creatures are usually feathered and possessed of a beak and wings, though the latter may be non-functional. These are the closest to humanoid a Mortal normally comes to, having all the standard parts, and bipedal besides.
Ichthyian
These creatures possess scales and fins and normally have gills for breathing in water. Many though have lungs as well, living an amphibious lifestyle, though all ichthyians can swim and have the aquatic subtype as well.
Mammalian
These creatures may possess fur, plates, or thickened skin, some even blubberous and aquatic, but most are warm blooded and give live birth. Mammalian could possibly be further changed to Ursine, Canine, Felinoid, Bovine or similar, but for the purpose of this subtype covers all non man-like mammals. Ape-like mammals are always Humanoids, not Mortals.
Mollusca
These creatures tend to be slow and soft bodied, secreting ooze to keep themselves moisturized. Many grow shells or construct one for their use.
Reptilian
As standard.
So here is my solution.
Note: As they are in no way humanoid they are not furries, so don't get hot and heavy here.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Mortal Type
The mortal is a being that has gained sentience as humanoids, but possess absolutely no ties or relations with them. They may have animalistic bodies, multiple legs, or no head, but they are intelligent and just as natural as any other creature, simply having grown along alternate evolutionary lines. Just as man may be an advanced ape, so is a mortal an advancement of their primitive equivalent. As such, like man, they are vaguely similar to an animalist ancestor, but they are different and highly more evolved.
The type is not inherently supernatural such as magical beasts, nor aberrant of origin. Mortal types normally range between tiny and large. They have developed societies of their own, as well as languages, though the latter may be anything from common speech to the rubbing of legs together or the production of complex scents.
All mortal creatures have a subtype that distinguishes them
Mortals with 1 Hit Die exchange the features of their mortal hit die for the class features of a PC or NPC class. Mortals of this sort are presented as 1st-level warriors, which means that they have average combat ability and poor saving throws.
Mortals with more than 1 Hit Die are the only mortals who make use of the features of the mortal type.
Features: A mortal has the following features (unless otherwise noted in a creature's entry).
- 8-sided Hit Dice, or by character class.
- Base attack bonus equal to 3/4th total Hit Dice (as cleric).
- Good Reflex saves (usually; a mortal’s good save varies).
- Skill points equal to (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) per Hit Die, with quadruple skill points for the first Hit Die, or by character class.
Traits: A mortal possesses the following traits (unless otherwise noted in a creature’s entry).
- Low-light vision.
- Proficient with all simple weapons. Each type of mortal may have additional weapons that they consider simple. Most mortals have some kind of natural weapon.
- Proficient with whatever type of armor (light, medium, or heavy) it is described as wearing, or by character class. If a mortal does not have a class and wears armor, it is proficient with that type of armor and all lighter types. Mortals not indicated as wearing armor are not proficient with armor. Mortals are not proficient with shields if they are proficient with any form of armor, but must also have it mentioned.
- Mortals breathe, eat, and sleep.
Additional Subtypes
Arthropodian
These creatures are usually possessed of an exoskeleton, though may also possess an internal. They tend to have more than 4 limbs, segmented or multiple eyes and antennae, feelers or both.
Annelidan
These creatures are usually limbless and eyeless, and elongated, with great flexibility. They tend to breathe through their skins instead of lungs and many possess the ability to burrow.
Traits
- Blindsense 30 ft.
Avian
These creatures are usually feathered and possessed of a beak and wings, though the latter may be non-functional. These are the closest to humanoid a Mortal normally comes to, having all the standard parts, and bipedal besides.
Ichthyian
These creatures possess scales and fins and normally have gills for breathing in water. Many though have lungs as well, living an amphibious lifestyle, though all ichthyians can swim and have the aquatic subtype as well.
Mammalian
These creatures may possess fur, plates, or thickened skin, some even blubberous and aquatic, but most are warm blooded and give live birth. Mammalian could possibly be further changed to Ursine, Canine, Felinoid, Bovine or similar, but for the purpose of this subtype covers all non man-like mammals. Ape-like mammals are always Humanoids, not Mortals.
Mollusca
These creatures tend to be slow and soft bodied, secreting ooze to keep themselves moisturized. Many grow shells or construct one for their use.
Reptilian
As standard.