Diopsid (5e Race)

Diopsid

Not a race for those afraid of insects.

Physical Description

A diopsid carrying a large sword and a shield

Diopsids are creatures from the Underdark that resemble a large humanoid beetle. They are typically over six feet tall with six limbs. They use their strong back limbs as legs to walk upright. Their front limbs are highly developed and are used as arms to carry objects and attack, with their weaker middle limbs acting as additional support for their "arms" when holding anything heavy or bulky. A diopsid's eyes consist of two immobile stalks on the sides of their head, ending with a large, multifaceted red eye on each. Their beetle-like bodies makes it impossible for diopsids to wear conventional armor, however they make up for this with their tough exoskeletons. Diopsids also have small wings on their backs. While these are too small to allow flight, they do allow a diopsid to float down to the ground when falling.

History

Very little is known of the history of the diopsids, especially since they have no form of written communication to record any historical events. They are known to be survivors, able to endure the wild and dangerous lands of the Underdark. Their settlements tend to be stone towers built into the sides of caverns. Over time, the corridors and rooms of a settlement can stretch up to reach a cavern's roof.

Society

Diopsids live deep below the earth in large caverns, carving out their settlements into the walls and floors of their lands. While they have a love of metal weapons and objects, diopsids lack any means of creating these items. Due to this, they tend to work as laborers, scouts and mercenaries for other races. Diopsids tend to get along well with other races, seeing them as potential employers for their mercenary skills. Diopsids are known as being dependable and will work for almost anyone who will meet their asking price. They can be quite opportunistic too when it comes to metal weapons and tools. They are seen as tough and strong by other races of the Underdark.

Diopsids have their own simple set of beliefs that people from the surface sometimes find amusing. Diopsids worship the goddess Diophia, their patron guardian and creator. They do have an unusual theory about the surface world. Diopsids see the world above as a terrible place filled with monsters, danger and peril. The ground slopes high into the sky to inconceivable heights, the earth is eternally battered by endless deluges of water and the air slashes at anything that dares travel up there. Any diopsid who ventures to the surface is seen to be a brave and mighty hero.

The native language of the diopsids consists of flashes of light which they create from glands in their own bodies. The code created by the speed, length and intensity of the flashes then forms words. Diopsids have no system of writing, however when needed they can speak Common and Undercommon to communicate with other races.

Diopsid Names

Diopsids do not have names that can be spoken in Common, as their native language involves patterns of flashes of light. When in the presence of other species, they tend to use nicknames given to them by other people although diopsids do not remain attached to their nicknames can care little for them.

Diopsid Traits

Tall beetle-like creatures from the Underdark.
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 2 and your Strength score increases by 1.
Age. Diopsids tend to reach adulthood by 15 and live for 70-80 years.
Alignment. Diopsids are typically neutral.
Size. Diopsids tend to be quite tall, standing over 6 feet high. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 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.
Natural Armor. Your AC is 13 + your Dexterity modifier. A shield's benefits apply as normal while you use your natural armor.
Insect Body. Diopsids have a beetle-like body, multiple arms and a bulky form, making them unable to wear armor. They can still use shields.
Extra Arms. Diopsids have four arms that they can use in pairs, their lower arms provided extra support to their upper arms. Due to this extra support, diopsids can wield large weapons easier than their two armed counterparts. You can ignore the Two-Handed property on any weapon. The lower arms can hold and manipulate small objects but cannot hold weapons or shields on their own. They do not get the two-weapon fighting benefit of the Dual Wielder feat.
Diopsid Wings. Diopsids have a short pair of wings. They are not strong enough to give the ability to fly but can create a soft landing when falling. Your falling speed is 60 feet per round and you take no falling damage. This ability is stopped if you are knocked prone, have your speed reduced to 0, or are otherwise deprived of the ability to move.
Bioluminescence. Diopsids can shed light from itself, just like a firefly. You can choose to shed bright light from your body in a 10-foot radius and dim light for an additional 10 feet with no action necessary. You can douse this light with with no action necessary too.
Languages. You can speak Common and Undercommon but you do not know how to read or write any languages.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
5′ 8''	+2d8	180 lb.	× (2d6) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

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