Hydras (3.5e Race)

Hydras

Personality

Hydras are an evil race. They are cold, calm, calculating, and cruel. They do not go out of their way to hurt others, but kill those who interfere with them. The only time they laugh is when someone who tried to kill them dies. Their societies are highly charged with subtle competition. Many hydras feel the need for conquest and domination. If so, they usually recruit armies to take control of entire countries. Occasionally a hydra will feel a desire to explore away from his or her community. These adventurers are rare, and usually undertake only adventures with a high gold potential. When they come home with lots of gold they gain power. When they come home without much gold, they are shunned. Assassination is an interesting profession to some hydras, and they take to it well. They make good rogues, as they are very limber.

Physical Description

Hydras usually stand 5'8", with males and females being the same height. They are light, weighing in at about 90 pounds. They have scales all over them, typically green, purple, or deep red. Their eyes are always somewhere between red and yellow, without ever quite being orange, and glow softly in the dark. Hydras have 5 scaly digits resembling humans, with curving claws up to 2 inches long in the place of nails. Protruding from their wrists are longer, thicker claws. Their ears are merely tiny holes on the sides of their heads, with a scaly flap that can close over them. Where human hair would be they have long, tightly packed ridges trailing down their backs. These change color depend upon the hydra’s mood. When dead, they turn black and fall off.

Relations

As a result of their constant conquests, no one likes hydras. When they must enter a city or meet with someone from another race, they wear bulky disguises. In particular, gnomes and dwarves hate hydras. If faced with such a conflict a hydra will flee, and return with sophisticated equipment or heavy backup from friends. He or she will then sit by and laugh.

Alignment

Invariably, hydras are Lawful Evil.

Lands

Hydras love swamps and bogs, and are pretty comfortable in forests. They take serious pains to avoid deserts, and love dark, wet environments. They also love the night.

Religion

Most hydras believe that the only “Supreme Being” is themselves. A few worship evil deities, but they find neutral and good gods laughable.

Language

Hydras speak Draconic and Common.

Names

Hydras have a complicated system of titles, and everyone has two names. One is their chosen name, chosen when they turn 13. These can be anything, but tend to be an animal that the hydra admires. Examples include Falcon, Lion, and Hawk. The second is their enemy name. When the hydra in question acquires an enemy who she feels is her most powerful opponent, they choose her name. The hydra captures the enemy, and asks them. If she cannot do this, her enemy name is Failure until she succeeds. Anyone who leaves home with the purpose of adventuring is considered outside the world of titles forever.

Racial Traits

• +2 Dexterity +2 Intelligence, +2 Charisma, −2 Constitution.
• Monstrous Humanoid (Reptilian)
• Medium size
• Natural armor +1
• Hydras base land speed is 30 feet.
• Darkvision to 60 feet in complete darkness.
• Skills: +2 to move silently, spot and hide checks.
• Two Natural weapons claws: each claw one attack damage is 1d4.
• Automatic Languages: Common, Draconic. Bonus Languages: Elven, Gnome, Sylvan, Aquan, Undercommon.
• Favored Class: Rogue.
• Level Adjustment: +1.

Vital Statistics

Table: Hydra Random Starting Ages

Adulthood	Simple	Moderate	Complex
13 years	+1d6	+1d10	+2d10

Table: Hydra Aging Effects

Middle Age1	Old2	Venerable3	Maximum Age
45 years	80 years	125 years	+3d20 years
At middle age, −1 to Str, Dex, and Con; +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha. At old age, −2 to Str, Dex, and Con; +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha. At venerable age, −3 to Str, Dex, and Con; +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha.

Table: Hydra Random Height and Weight

Gender	Base Height	Height Modifier	Base Weight	Weight Modifier
Male	5' 4"	+2d6	80 lb.	× (2d6) lb.
Female	5' 4"	+2d6	80 lb.	× (2d6) lb.

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