Submortimer
2015-07-15, 06:18 AM
The Matryoshka
"I've got no strings
To hold me down
To make me fret, or make me frown
I had strings
But now I'm free
There are no strings on me!"
- Pinocchio, Pinocchio
As a race, the Matryoshka are an oddity. While they are somewhat sparse, they are still numerous enough to count as a full race and not just isolated oddities. While it may be that there are dedicated creators of Matryoshka, as there are with the Warforged, a not insignificant number have come to life on they're own.
Physically, Matryoshka are quite small, often slightly shorter than halflings. Their physical features vary greatly from type to type, but they are almost always humanoid in shape. Despite being made of somewhat flimsy materials (wood, porcelain, straw, etc.), sentience seems grant them an odd heartiness. As well, due to their non-living nature, they never hunger or tire, and are very adept at being innocuous. Most find some form of work or profession in entertainment, but many find fantastic success as spies and assassins.
Traits
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 2.
Age. As constructs, Matryoshka do not age, and are mature as soon as they become sentient.
Alignment. Matryoshka, as varied as they are, run the gamut of alignments: Raggedy are generally good, Bisque tend towards evil, and Gepettin are usually in between.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 25 feet.
Size. Matryoshka are small creatures, usually barely breaking 3 ft. In height.
Living Construct. Matryoshka are constructs. As such, they do not need to eat, breathe, or sleep. Though they may not consume food, they may benefit from consumable magic items (potions, etc.). Additionally, you gain resistance to Poison damage.
Innocuous. Matryoshka are generally indistinguishable from non-living dolls of the same type. Because of that, they have learned to be very stealthy when required. A Matryoshka gains proficiency in Stealth, and has Advantage when attempting to hide amongst dolls, toys, or other similar objects.
Darkvision. Matryoshka have superior vision in dim light and darkness. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it was bright light, and darkness as if it was dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Languages.Matryoshka can read and write common as well as one other language based on their creator's race (your choice)
Subraces
Gepettin
Gepettin are physically similar to marionettes, made mostly out of wood, with painted faces and carved clothing. Due to their construction, their limbs are quite flexible, and they are known to be fantastic dancers.
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Clipped Strings. You gain the ability to manipulate your old strings, allowing you to use them to climb, attack, and restrain.
- You gain a Climb speed equal to your walking speed.
- While weilding a light melee weapon, you may add 5 feet to your reach with that weapon.
- You may grapple creatures up to two sizes larger than you.
Raggedy
Raggedy Matryoshka are usually a larger form of stuffy doll. Also commonly referred to as Plushies, Raggedy are any form of stuffed or soft doll. Though they often look humanoid, they may also look like animals, monsters, or any other form of anthropomorphic creature.
Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 1.
Adorable. Raggedy, before coming to life, were designed to be appealing to children. As such, they gain proficiency in Persuasion, and gain advantage on any such rolls with children and/or people that love cute things.
Stuffed with Fluff. Raggedy are filled with a lightweight, soft material. As such, raggedy have resistance to non-magical bludgeoning damage, and are immune to falling damage. Unfortunately, they are highly Vulnerable to fire damage.
Bisque
Bisque Matryoshka are a form of Porcelain doll, crafted with exacting specification and often luxurious clothing materials. Though they are designed to look as realistic as possible, they are often thought to be the most terrifying of Matryoshka, due to their lifeless visage. Though their faces are often very fragile, their construction is generally much more hardy than their brethren
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 1.
Terrifying. Your lifeless eyes and face tend to instill fear in people, often without even trying. You gain proficiency in imtimidation, and gain advantage on any such rolls where you are attempting to scare someone.
China Doll. Anyone who makes an insight check to determine your true emotions does so at disadvantage.
Child's Play. Bisque know that their small size and natural stealth lead to being very efficient stalkers. A bisque deals an additional 1d6 damage when attacking a creature who they have advantage against with a light or finesse weapon. They do not need advantage if neither you nor the creature has an ally adjacent to it.
Update: Formatted.
"I've got no strings
To hold me down
To make me fret, or make me frown
I had strings
But now I'm free
There are no strings on me!"
- Pinocchio, Pinocchio
As a race, the Matryoshka are an oddity. While they are somewhat sparse, they are still numerous enough to count as a full race and not just isolated oddities. While it may be that there are dedicated creators of Matryoshka, as there are with the Warforged, a not insignificant number have come to life on they're own.
Physically, Matryoshka are quite small, often slightly shorter than halflings. Their physical features vary greatly from type to type, but they are almost always humanoid in shape. Despite being made of somewhat flimsy materials (wood, porcelain, straw, etc.), sentience seems grant them an odd heartiness. As well, due to their non-living nature, they never hunger or tire, and are very adept at being innocuous. Most find some form of work or profession in entertainment, but many find fantastic success as spies and assassins.
Traits
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 2.
Age. As constructs, Matryoshka do not age, and are mature as soon as they become sentient.
Alignment. Matryoshka, as varied as they are, run the gamut of alignments: Raggedy are generally good, Bisque tend towards evil, and Gepettin are usually in between.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 25 feet.
Size. Matryoshka are small creatures, usually barely breaking 3 ft. In height.
Living Construct. Matryoshka are constructs. As such, they do not need to eat, breathe, or sleep. Though they may not consume food, they may benefit from consumable magic items (potions, etc.). Additionally, you gain resistance to Poison damage.
Innocuous. Matryoshka are generally indistinguishable from non-living dolls of the same type. Because of that, they have learned to be very stealthy when required. A Matryoshka gains proficiency in Stealth, and has Advantage when attempting to hide amongst dolls, toys, or other similar objects.
Darkvision. Matryoshka have superior vision in dim light and darkness. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it was bright light, and darkness as if it was dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Languages.Matryoshka can read and write common as well as one other language based on their creator's race (your choice)
Subraces
Gepettin
Gepettin are physically similar to marionettes, made mostly out of wood, with painted faces and carved clothing. Due to their construction, their limbs are quite flexible, and they are known to be fantastic dancers.
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Clipped Strings. You gain the ability to manipulate your old strings, allowing you to use them to climb, attack, and restrain.
- You gain a Climb speed equal to your walking speed.
- While weilding a light melee weapon, you may add 5 feet to your reach with that weapon.
- You may grapple creatures up to two sizes larger than you.
Raggedy
Raggedy Matryoshka are usually a larger form of stuffy doll. Also commonly referred to as Plushies, Raggedy are any form of stuffed or soft doll. Though they often look humanoid, they may also look like animals, monsters, or any other form of anthropomorphic creature.
Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 1.
Adorable. Raggedy, before coming to life, were designed to be appealing to children. As such, they gain proficiency in Persuasion, and gain advantage on any such rolls with children and/or people that love cute things.
Stuffed with Fluff. Raggedy are filled with a lightweight, soft material. As such, raggedy have resistance to non-magical bludgeoning damage, and are immune to falling damage. Unfortunately, they are highly Vulnerable to fire damage.
Bisque
Bisque Matryoshka are a form of Porcelain doll, crafted with exacting specification and often luxurious clothing materials. Though they are designed to look as realistic as possible, they are often thought to be the most terrifying of Matryoshka, due to their lifeless visage. Though their faces are often very fragile, their construction is generally much more hardy than their brethren
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 1.
Terrifying. Your lifeless eyes and face tend to instill fear in people, often without even trying. You gain proficiency in imtimidation, and gain advantage on any such rolls where you are attempting to scare someone.
China Doll. Anyone who makes an insight check to determine your true emotions does so at disadvantage.
Child's Play. Bisque know that their small size and natural stealth lead to being very efficient stalkers. A bisque deals an additional 1d6 damage when attacking a creature who they have advantage against with a light or finesse weapon. They do not need advantage if neither you nor the creature has an ally adjacent to it.
Update: Formatted.