Ettin (5e Race)

Ettin

“

Two heads aren't always better than one...

”

Physical Description

By Miguel Regodón Harkness

Ettin are a race of two headed humanoids. Each of their heads has a distinct personality and both heads have their own separate names. This strange formation tends to make everyone stare at them. They have a very broad shoulder base to support their two necks. Some remark their feral features resemble that of an orcs, with protruding teeth and grayish skin. They have flaring nostrils and red eyes, which are said to glow when they are enraged. Their skin is marked with arcane tribal tattoos usually.

History

Ettin are an odd race with an odd gene. This gene makes it so that they have twice the amount of required organs and muscles, and a second head. The two heads share the same nervous system but not thoughts, which can often lead to them bickering like siblings. The excess of internal organs can make ettin appear bloated and taller. The two types of ettin differ mainly in legend, about how the first ettin came to be. Supposedly a man wished to become smarter. The wish was twisted to give him two heads. Horrified, he ran off to the wild, never to be seen again. This is supposedly the origin of the wild ettin. Psionic ettin boast larger heads and claim heritage from a psionic experiment gone wrong, which fused the experimenters with one another. Ettin were first sighted poking around mountains, where people mistekned them at first to be a race which always appeared in pairs. However, their true nature was soon revealed. People initially called them a race of "siamese twins."

Society

Ettin society isn't as developed as one would think, with two heads being better than one and all, due to the fact that they are rare to find, and constantly bickering with their other head. They ultimately end up perceived as a sort of uncouth brute or savage, prone to violence, clumsy, and utterly alien. Wild communities of ettin work around more tribal practices. They become highly destructive forces if left unchecked, and their own heads will often drive them into insanity if they do not learn to get along. Some ettin who have managed to tame their other half became distinguished scholars, leaving many to believe that ettin potential lies in the cooperation of the heads. Ettin strive for this golden standard, but the path they seek is not for all. Most fall onto the wayside and just remain there.

Ettin Names

Each of the ettin heads has its own name. Sometimes the heads are opposing genders. When making an ettin, you can pick two names and merge them together with an apostrophe, like Tal'Yora, for a singular address.

Male: Ruuk, Karg, Zog, Cho, Durg, Kaal, Thurg, Zal

Female: Tal, Nura, Lori, Yora, Vusha

Ettin Traits

A race of two-headed giants
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 2.
Age. Ettins tend to live for about 325 years.
Alignment. Due to their appearance and how the normal person might treat them with disdain, they tend to be on the chaotic side.
Size. Despite being a giant, the bulk of organs and muscle hampers your growth upward. 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.
Quadruple Sight. With two pairs of eyes, you see more, though sometimes more than you'd like. You are proficient in the Perception skill. You have disadvantage on saving throws involving eye contact (medusa's Petrifying Gaze, e.g.).
Giant's Hunger. Because of your two sets of innards, you need more nourishment to keep them both running. You require double the amount of food and drink for a creature your size.
Vigilance. When one of your heads is awake, the other can be asleep and vice versa.
Languages. You can read, write and speak in Common and Giant.
Subrace. Choose from the wild or psionic subraces.

Wild

Wild ettin are more feral, having longer teeth and usually more brutish manners. They do not care to get along with their other half, instead using their dissonant cacophony to fuel rage as strength.

Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 1.
Enhanced Destroyer. You have advantage on Strength checks made to break structures and other objects.
Muscle Headed. Your immense strength allows you to wield heavier weapons with ease. You are proficient with weapons that have the heavy property.
Powerful Build. You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.

Psionic

Psionic ettin have larger heads, though that doesn't mean they have to be any smarter about not arguing. However, their dual heads make them particularly useful for concentrating on more than one effect for spells.

Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score increases by 1.
Twin Brains. Two heads are better than one for the sake of maintaining separate concentrations. You have advantage on Constitution saving throws to maintain concentration when you are attacked.
Trajectory Sight. You have two heads, allowing you to better coordinate the moves with your increased perception. You know the guidance cantrip.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
7′ 4''	+1d12	500 lb.	× (3d10) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

---

Back to Main Page → 5e Homebrew → Races