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Humanoid Bat, race-building for tabletop rpg
Skelefish
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So for an upcoming tabletop session (5E) we're generating a new race (3 sub-races for story concerns). I don't have a decent mock-up yet outside of basic shapes or I'd upload it. Looking for any things you think I'm missing/needing/etc to mesh these. For obvious game-breaking reasons we're not generating any new stats, but will just tweak slightly pre-existing powers, abilities, etc
Gist: Party consists of primarily humans and half-orcs in a shadowrun-esque setting. On one incursion for supplies, etc they stumble across a large spider-webbed canyon in a dense jungle inhabited by humanoid bats. High, narrow walls provide twilight-like light save all but the middle of the day. While observing they note three distinct varieties.
Type 1: NameTBD (Ref: Brohg, Dark Sun; DC animated Doomsday)
The largest of the species, similar to a full-blood orc or goliath in stature. Their wings retracted into 2 pair of usable arms, the upper pair are beefier while the inner pair are slightly smaller and elongated. Many appear to be performing manual labor or security, but a few also seem to be in charge of various things. They possess sparse hair, though dark coarse clusters surround the head and dorsal area (earth tones) and patchy forearms on gray-pale skin. Brands and scars seem to be primary decorations or honor-worthy throughout them, plus some brightly colored tattoos are spotted. Bipedal, usually ambidextrous.
Type 2: NameTBD (Ref: Man-Bat, Batman; wyvern)
Most predominant in population. The standard medium humanoid variant, their winged forearms are highly versatile as many seem to perform complex tasks, tinkering, or skills (crafting). Ornamentation of intricate patterns and bright colors frequent the wings and hands (i.e. henna). Similar hair disbursement as Type1, but soft, short hairs covers the remainder of their body. Bipedal.
Type 3: NameTBD (Ref: Lexington, Gargoyles)
Smallest in stature. They seem to perform a versatile hodgepodge of everything imaginable from merchant, artisan, sage, scientist, tinkerer, military, etc. Arguably the most nimble of the trio, would stand near to a tall dwarf if both were erect and not slouched. Easily alternates between 2- and 4-legged walking. Wings are connected but seem to have the ability to constrict near the body and be almost hidden if desired. Almost totally bald save facial/head/wrists.
Additional information:
Heads, faces, and personality differ greatly ranging from humanoid (akin to tieflings or half-races) to feral (i.e. lycanthropes and shifters). Head features are almost always recognizable to that of a bat, though vary greatly within each's sub-species (can use any Earth-bound bat for reference in any subspecies).
Culture primarily established around industry and science, many technical-looking devices, metal 'nets' line buildings and tunnels. In lore, they had a highly advanced society and almost destroyed themselves along with their surroundings. Many strive to correct this injustice by recycling or reclaiming as much as possible. Architecture blends into cliff-side (RE: Anasazi, Mesa Verde) along with long expanses of tunnels (lined with cages along upper half to permit traffic).
Have mastered [subterranean] hydroponics, but still eat meat on special occasions.
Motivations:
Recycling technologies, expanding or rejuvenating the species they almost destroyed. Without getting all hipster/hippie-troped, everything they generate is "clean" or "green" compared to similar counterparts (leading research in alternate energies, etc). Obviously there are some that don't hold tightly to these notions, but this is 2nd-3rd generation they've held on to these so few and far between.
This will be many firsts for me: cyber-punk campaign, home-brewed race inclusion, etc. Willing to take whatever advice or suggestions you've got. Working on sketching something out this week/month. Names, unless someone has amazing suggestions will be based on actual bat-related terms or names.
Gist: Party consists of primarily humans and half-orcs in a shadowrun-esque setting. On one incursion for supplies, etc they stumble across a large spider-webbed canyon in a dense jungle inhabited by humanoid bats. High, narrow walls provide twilight-like light save all but the middle of the day. While observing they note three distinct varieties.
Type 1: NameTBD (Ref: Brohg, Dark Sun; DC animated Doomsday)
The largest of the species, similar to a full-blood orc or goliath in stature. Their wings retracted into 2 pair of usable arms, the upper pair are beefier while the inner pair are slightly smaller and elongated. Many appear to be performing manual labor or security, but a few also seem to be in charge of various things. They possess sparse hair, though dark coarse clusters surround the head and dorsal area (earth tones) and patchy forearms on gray-pale skin. Brands and scars seem to be primary decorations or honor-worthy throughout them, plus some brightly colored tattoos are spotted. Bipedal, usually ambidextrous.
Type 2: NameTBD (Ref: Man-Bat, Batman; wyvern)
Most predominant in population. The standard medium humanoid variant, their winged forearms are highly versatile as many seem to perform complex tasks, tinkering, or skills (crafting). Ornamentation of intricate patterns and bright colors frequent the wings and hands (i.e. henna). Similar hair disbursement as Type1, but soft, short hairs covers the remainder of their body. Bipedal.
Type 3: NameTBD (Ref: Lexington, Gargoyles)
Smallest in stature. They seem to perform a versatile hodgepodge of everything imaginable from merchant, artisan, sage, scientist, tinkerer, military, etc. Arguably the most nimble of the trio, would stand near to a tall dwarf if both were erect and not slouched. Easily alternates between 2- and 4-legged walking. Wings are connected but seem to have the ability to constrict near the body and be almost hidden if desired. Almost totally bald save facial/head/wrists.
Additional information:
Heads, faces, and personality differ greatly ranging from humanoid (akin to tieflings or half-races) to feral (i.e. lycanthropes and shifters). Head features are almost always recognizable to that of a bat, though vary greatly within each's sub-species (can use any Earth-bound bat for reference in any subspecies).
Culture primarily established around industry and science, many technical-looking devices, metal 'nets' line buildings and tunnels. In lore, they had a highly advanced society and almost destroyed themselves along with their surroundings. Many strive to correct this injustice by recycling or reclaiming as much as possible. Architecture blends into cliff-side (RE: Anasazi, Mesa Verde) along with long expanses of tunnels (lined with cages along upper half to permit traffic).
Have mastered [subterranean] hydroponics, but still eat meat on special occasions.
Motivations:
Recycling technologies, expanding or rejuvenating the species they almost destroyed. Without getting all hipster/hippie-troped, everything they generate is "clean" or "green" compared to similar counterparts (leading research in alternate energies, etc). Obviously there are some that don't hold tightly to these notions, but this is 2nd-3rd generation they've held on to these so few and far between.
This will be many firsts for me: cyber-punk campaign, home-brewed race inclusion, etc. Willing to take whatever advice or suggestions you've got. Working on sketching something out this week/month. Names, unless someone has amazing suggestions will be based on actual bat-related terms or names.
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