Forest Golem, Variant (5e Race)

Forest Golem

Forest golems are diverse in their appearance, though all are characterized by the presence of trees, shrubbery, and stone across the surface of their bodies to varying degrees. Forest golems, on average, stand a considerable average of 13 feet (4 meters) tall, though have been known to be nearly 16 feet tall at their largest and only a bit over 10 feet at their smallest. Forest golems are known for their ability to shrink from their natural form to a smaller size which is less daunting to smaller races, a form which they are able to maintain for tremendous lengths of time.

Forest golems have just as broad a variety of statures as they do sizes, with some bulky and broad-shouldered while others are far more slender and even thin largely depending on the growth of the flora that lives on their bodies. As forest golems grow elderly and pass on, they are reborn anew with their old memories shattered to give way for a new life.

Forest Golems are named the 'protectors of nature' by historians, and are amicable creatures of peace.

History

The forest golems are a mysterious race, none are known to have knowledge of the precise origins of the Forest Golems, what purpose these Golems were created with or even whether they were created artificially or by natural workings of the world. Even the Forest Golems themselves know little of their ancestries, typically referring to such things with indifference.

The Forest Golems' elusive tendencies have prevented them from being broadly documented, and due to this fact, as well as their indifference towards any knowledge of their past, the history of the Forest Golems is shrouded in mystery.

Society

Forest golems tend to live alone or in small, tight-knit groups (at most these 'tribes' of forest golems are known to be comparable to the smallest human families of three). There have only been roughly one hundred recorded forest golem encounters throughout the land to date. In general people of the land tend to look at these creatures as venerable, ancient beings from a lost time and treat them with curiosity and wonder. Many forest golems are neutral in state and often greatly enjoy themselves hibernating and watch over the world's progress, but some have been recorded to adventure to outskirts looking for treasure and excitement.

Forest Golem Names

Forest golems are gender neutral and their names tend to be greatly inclusive of nature, with some examples being: Thunderock, Splintertree, Smoothstone, or Pinegranite. Whether these names are given to them or chosen of their own will is not well known.

Forest Golem Traits

Design Note: This race uses the Large Player Characters and Oversized variant rules.

A race of stone and earth constructs, in which many plants take root.
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 1, and your Constitution score increases by 2.
Age. Every time a forest golem dies it is reborn as a new construct. They live up to 1,000 years before they are reborn.
Alignment. Most forest golems are true neutral, though many favor a good alignment. Almost all are lawful
Size. Forest golems stand between 11 and 15 feet tall. Your size is Large. When shrunken they stand between 5 and 8 feet tall. While shrunken as per your Shrink trait, your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 20 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.
Elder Knowledge. Due to your attunement to nature and longevity, you gain proficiency in the History and Nature skills.
Golemic Nature. Your creature type is construct and plant. You do not need to eat or breath, however, you require twice as much water as other characters.
Golemic Stature. Due to your unusual frame, you cannot wear armor, and it is difficult to wear things like rings or necklaces. If you wish to attune to a magical item you cannot wear, you can instead place in on your skin, and continue with the attunement. The item will meld and become one with your skin and be unrecoverable until you unnattune.
Natures Camouflage. While standing still, you have the ability to blend in with the boulders, trees and plants of the forest. You can attempt to hide even when you are only lightly obscured by foliage, heavy rain, falling snow, mist, and other natural phenomena.
Oaken Strength. While your size category is Medium due to your Shrink trait, you count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.
Shrink. Over the course of an hour, you can alter your composition to shrink to half your size, your size becoming Medium. You can return to your normal size the same way.
Protector of Nature. While unarmored your Armor Class is equal to 14 + your Constitution modifier. A shield's benefits apply as normal while you use your natural armor.
Friend of Nature (Speak with Small Beasts). Due to your attunement with nature, you can speak with small beasts. Through sounds and gestures, you can communicate simple ideas with Small or smaller beasts.
Languages. You can understand Common, and Primordial

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
10′ 2''	+4d12	1000 lb.	× (2d8) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

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