Platypus, Sapient (5e Race)

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Platypus

“	*GASP!* Perry the platypus! It was you all along?!	”
—Dr. Doofenschmirtz, CEO of Doofenschmirtz Evil, Inc.

Physical Description

From Phineas and Ferb

Platypi which are sapient appear like regular platypi. This is pure deception. Sapient platypi use a means of looking stupid and dull to lull people around them into a sense of false security. In truth, sapient platypi can stand on their hind legs. Most of their body is still like that of a platypus, complete with fur, a beaver-like tail, webbed feet, hind heel spurs, and a trademark duck bill. But when their true nature of sentience is revealed, they show incredible agility and intelligence, being able to use gadgets and practice martial arts. Usually, they hide the fact that they have prehensile hands. Their fur can be a number of hues of brown, and even a slight green. They even have the sense to appreciate things like fashion. This sense is not extremely developed yet, so they tend to just wear a single article of clothing, like one hat or a pair of shoes. But, to them, clothes are quite frivolous anyway.

History

Sapience among platypi is actually not new. It was simply skillfully kept a secret. Sapient platypi have existed among all populations of platypi since the beginning of their species. It is even said that, at some point, all platypi were sapient, or at least sentient. Today, the number of sapient members of their kind hide among the dullard and bestial ones. It is unclear if maybe some calamity wiped out their higher end of intelligence or they bred out. Either way, as humans rose to prominence, the sapient platypi watch warily at these destructive new creatures. Perhaps they bide their time for dominance.

Society

As their name suggests, sapient platypi are fiercely intelligent, with brains on par with that of a human. Their speech, however, is not fully developed. They communicate through a series of purrs. This noise is created by rapidly flapping their bills. Despite this impediment, they are fully functional in just about anything they can learn, much like humans. In the wild, sapient platypi keep a low profile, appearing as docile and untamed as possible to blend with normal platypi. Sapient platypi who venture into civilization often obscure themselves to keep their true natures hidden. They are known to do jobs that range from violence to even espionage, which is quite impressive.

Platypus Names

Because of their strange manner of speech, most sapient platypi do not have known names that can be translated. Instead, they usually come to respond to a name given to them by others.

Male: Perry, Edgar, Toby, Olaf, Pesky

Female: Brenda, Janice, Hillary, Clarisse

Platypus Traits

You're a semi-aquatic egg-laying mammal of action.
Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score increases by 2, and one other ability score of your choice increases by 1.
Age. Sapient platypi don't really outlive their non-sapient kind by much. Most reach 20 and die soon after of old age.
Alignment. Like humans, sapient platypi have a variety of temperaments and can take pretty much any alignment.
Size. Platypi do not really grow much larger than 2 feet. Your size is Tiny.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 25 feet, and you have a swimming speed of 25 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.
Hold Breath. You can hold your breath for up to 15 minutes at a time.
Tail. Your broad tail makes a surprisingly good weapon to smack someone with. It is a natural weapon that you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with it, you deal bludgeoning damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength or Dexterity modifier.
Poison Spur. You sport a little hidden weapon that can be a nasty surprise for attackers. As a bonus action, you make a special unarmed strike with your spur. If this attack hits, the target take 1 piercing damage and must make a Constitution saving throw with a DC equal to 8 + your Intelligence modifier + your proficiency bonus. On a failed save, they become poisoned until the end of their next turn. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, regaining all uses after you finish a long rest.
Common Animal. Your creature type is beast instead of humanoid. You are virtually indistinguishable from a normal platypus, so long as you don't stand on your hind legs, and have advantage on all ability checks to maintain this facade.
Languages. You can read and write Common and one other language of your choice. You only speak in aggravated purrs, which fulfill the verbal component for the purposes of spellcasting.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
1′ 3''	+2d10	3 lb.	× (1d4) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

Suggested Characteristics

When creating a platypus character, you can use the following table of traits, ideals, bonds, and flaws to help flesh out your character. Use these tables in addition to or in place of your background's characteristics.

Platypi have a lot to say and few words to convey their deep, and sometimes tortured, backstories that are just as good as a human's. Some of these translations may have been taken from actual normal platypi by accident.

d8	Personality Trait
1	RRRRRRRRR. (I actually hate worms. I prefer refinement in what I put in my body.)
2	RrrRRRrrrrr. (I like to act dumb around others so they underestimate me.)
3	Rrrrrrrrrrr. (I like to try and make friends with anyone I can.)
4	RRRrrrrRRrrR. (RRrrRRRrRRRRRRrrr.)
5	RrrrrrrrrRRRrrr. (I think quick on my feet and improvise a lot.)
6	RRrrrRRRrrRRRRR. (I do best when given orders.)
7	RRrrrRR. (I don't talk the talk, but I can walk the walk.)
8	Rrrrr Rrrrrr Rrrr. (Even us platypi need money, you know.)

d6	Ideal
1	RRRrrrrrrr... (I want to protect the wetlands where I grew up. That's why I'm on my way to amassing a fortune so I can buy the land and protect it from the money-grubbing hands that want to industrialize and defile nature.)
2	Rrrrrr! (I want a full belly every night!)
3	Rrrr Rrrrrr rrrr. (There are other people that need my help. So help them I shall.)
4	RRRRrrrr. (People grow up and move on to new adventures. I'm looking for that sort of a thrilling life.)
5	Rrr rrrr rrrr. (I just got bored of my paddle, honestly. I'm good with whatever, bruh.)
6	Rrrrr rrrh! (I want to become human!)

d6	Bond
1	RRRrrrrr RRRRRRRR. (RRRRR RRRRRR RRRRRR.)
2	Rrrrrrrr Rrrrrrrrrr... (I miss my paddle deeply. I lost them due to defilement of our homeland estuary by local polluters. It is now home to the dregs of wretched monsters born of the pollution. They threaten us to this day...)
3	Rrrr! Rrrr! (I want to see more of everything the world has to offer!)
4	Rrrrrrrrrrrrrr....... Rr. (I can't trust these people who don't look like me...)
5	RrrrRrr rrrr. RRrrrr. (Someone once saved me when I was still a puggle. That's why I want to pay it forward.)
6	Rhhrrrr RRrrrrr. (I have a scar on me from a fierce rival. I have yet to return the favor... with interest.)

d6	Flaw
1	RRRRRH! (I don't have any flaws! I AM PERFECT, YOU HEAR ME?!)
2	Rrrrrrhh... (I think about my belly waaaay too much.)
3	Rrr.... (I am too laid-back. I will laze around senselessly until someone yells at me to work.)
4	Rrrr. Rrrrhh.... (My mind is overtaken by rage stemming from my thirst for vengeance. It clouds my judgment often and will force me to even lash out against my closest of allies.)
5	Rrrhh. Rrrrrrrrr. (I have an intense dislike of people that prevents me from ever trusting anyone fully.)
6	Rrrrrrr rrrrr rrrr rrrr. (If I can do something, I automatically expect others to do it, imposing unfair expectations on them.)

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