Ratfolk (5e Race)

Author: Eiji-kun (talk) Date Created: 5-23-23 Status: Complete Editing: Clarity edits only please

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Ratfolk (Nezumi)

“	Humans are so wasteful, all this trash is treasure!	”
—Baalthur Coinsget, Fence in the Underway

When the dwarves first built their cities of stone and iron, and let the slag and waste slide down long tunnels, the rats where there. When the orcs set up camp and left the waste of battlegrounds in their wake, the rats where there. When the humans took over the world with their massive urban sprawl, below their streets the rats were there. While they were never rich enough, strong enough, or organized enough to become a force on their own, they rode the coattails of others by hiding in their wake in places the other races considered dirty, impure, and inferior. In this they grew strong of fortitude, and their numbers multiplied, and before the others knew it they were a force by sheer number alone. They are the ratfolk, or nezumi in their tongue.

Description

Ratfolk are small humanoid rodents with nimble hands, glossy dark eyes, and long hairless tails. Their front teeth grow constantly so they have compulsive habits to chew on anything and everything they get their hands on to file them down while also keeping them sharp. They tend to have pink skin covered in fur of white, black, or various earthtones. They stand between 3 and 4 ft tall but because they tend to hunch they tend to look even smaller.

Height & Weight
Species	Base Height	Height Mod	Base Weight	Weight Mod	Average
Ratfolk	3'0"	+2d8	30 lbs.	x (3d10) lbs.	3'11", 45 lbs

Ratfolk Psychology

Ratfolk are survivors, and as a result many consider them craven and untrustworthy as being unseen and willing to run are useful survival traits. This, combined with their hardy natures allowing them to survive in unpleasant places considered below living standards, and the need to live in such places often due to societal needs, give many the impression they are a pack of cowardly dirty rats. This is not true, as ratfolk enjoy being clean, are more than capable of bravery and loyalty, and are just as civilized as any other if given the chance. And from time to time a particularly charismatic ratfolk will appear to unite them, becoming the 'rat king' and the endless hoards of ratfolk are brought to bear for a single purpose. It is in those times that change is made.

Territories

Few ratfolk hold territory of their own. Traditionally they survived in packs by following other stronger groups as allies or as opportunists. From time to time, typically by the machinations of a rat king, they forge territories of their own. These lands are often obtained by conquest, and their political systems, cultures, and styles, vary as much as the number of ratfolk in the world.

Ratfolk Adventurers

With so many ratfolk in the world, their dense population often push new ratfolk out into the world in search of fame, fortune, and simply overpopulation.

Ratfolk Names

Ratfolk names tend to be short, simple, and/or harsh, while last names are descriptive. When one achieves great fame, it often grants a new last name with the former last name becoming a middle name to represent the transition.

Male Names: Aratt, Chant, Fabrigear, Hadar, Klesh

Female Names: Bak-Bak, Ekitch, Gara, Ikki, Lash

Family Names: Cackle, Manbiter, Roughhaus, Stabsneak, Treebounder

Azal Traits

Ratfolk

Creature Type. Humanoid

Ability Score Increase. Dexterity +2, Constitution +1

Age. 8-50

Alignment.

Size. Your size is Small.

Speed. Your base speed is 30 feet.  

Darkvision: 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. 

Biter. Your fanged maw is a natural weapon, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with it, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike. 

Disease and Poison Resilience. You have advantage on saving throws you make to avoid or end the diseased or poisoned condition on yourself. You also have resistance to poison damage 

Slip Underfoot. You can move through the space of any creature that is of a size larger than yours. 

Survivor. You have proficiency in the Survival skill.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Thieves' Cant

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