Porcumen (5e Race)

Porcumen

“	From the hot desert sands to the evergreen forests, you'll find us in these places. Wherever you'll find us, pray that our quills are not aimed at you.	”
—Chief Catori, Chieftain of the Earth Spikes Clan

Porcumen are a nomadic race of porcupine-like people that simply have come to spread to many places all over the world. Thanks to their quills, they are known to be deadly even without weapons as their quills can be shot from their heads as fast as an arrow.

Physical Description

A Porcumen tribesman (credit goes to anhellica)

Porcumen are medium, hairy creatures, their head very much akin to their original porcupine ancestors, with their eyes, ears, and nose similar to the porcupine itself, with their entire body covered in fur, their fur/skin color ranging from a variety of brown and black, depending on the area or environment that they were found in.

Their most well known characteristic are their quills, which is found at the top of their heads and can reach as low as their waist for some people, but most Porcumen would have their quills stop growing at their lower half of their back. Unlike the original porcupine, Porcumen are known to shoot their quills with deadly force, with some Porcumen warriors even being able to shoot their quills as far as an arrow. These quills can grow very fast, a Porcumen's quills being known to fully grow after an hour or so.

They are bipedal, with their body being very similar to a humans, the only great differences being their head, quills, and the fur that entirely covers their body.

History

While although numerous and can be found in many areas all over the world, not much is known about the people's origin, with the Porcumen themselves not knowing much of their origins.

Many theories and speculations were made, but one theory that many outsiders and Porcumen accept is made by a human professor by the name of Dr. Richard Perkins. His theory states that the first Porcumen were not of natural origin, but were instead made by magic. This is backed up by many discoveries found in old ruins and archaeological sights that have come to house Porcumen skeletons dating back to at least 1000 years, with these ruins and sights known to be either places of learning or the domicile of a once powerful wizard.

Regardless, most individual Porcumen don't take too much stock in the history of the species as a whole, but instead focus on the history of their tribes, with most tribes having a history spanning to at least 50 years, with the oldest known Porcumen tribe having a tribal history of what could be approximated to be at least 500 years.

Society

Their society is entirely tribal, based on both compassion and survival. Many Porcumen tribes are known to help many lost travelers found in the forests and deserts and are known to either point them to the right direction or shelter them for the day or so. With that said, they are also known to be great survivalists, often being able to acclimate quickly to the environment they've settled in.

Most Porcumen live in a tribe that have come to settle down in a land they find suitable to their needs, but there is a good number that have come to live in the cities or still live in the few nomadic Porcumen tribes still roaming around today. Population in the Porcumen tribes are small, with most tribes numbering in the 100's, with the biggest tribe having numbers around 400-600. While they are compassionate to outsiders, those who want to join a Porcumen tribe proper would have to undergo a rigorous test in order to prove they're fit for the tribe. These tests can differ from tribe to tribe, with some as easy as a sitdown with local chieftain while others are a test of combat and survival skills.

Each tribe has their own elected leader known as the 'chieftain' and territory the chieftain commands, with most of the tribes' folk being farmers or merchants. In regards to other Porcumen tribes, most relations are usually friendly or cordial, seldomly a Porcumen tribe actually going to war against other Porcumen tribes. Other species tribes though can vary, some being quite friendly with each other while others can be heated rivals or enemies.

The family units within Porcumen tribes are as stable as they could be, but it is not rare to find the occasional polyamory families in the tribe. Weddings are quite simple and common, with the ceremony just being the groom/s and bride/s exchanging a specially decorated quill that came from their own bodies among a crowd of witnesses, which is usually close relatives and friends.

Porcumen Names

They typically have tribal names born from their unique tribal culture, but some do have names that are inspired by the environment they live in.

Male: Alo, Calian, Kai, Mato, Kato, Kanan, Nuka , Heinmot, Tecumseh, Tatanka, Achak, Ahote, Ahmik, Tse, Uzumati, Wapi, Yahto, Yas, Yakla.

Female: Aiyani, Aponi, Enola, Etania, Elu, Halona, Istas, Kasa, Kateri, Winona, Tayen, Tivona, Tiva, Sayola, Fala, Kabecka, Esadowa.

Porcumen Traits

A race of porcupine-like tribal people
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1.
Age. Porcumen are considered mature at 10 years old and most live up to 70 years.
Alignment. Most Porcumen can be found to be neutral or good.
Size. Your size can range from 5 to 6 feet tall while weighing around 100-200 pounds. 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.
Beastial Origins. Your creature type is both humanoid and beast.
Quills. Your body is covered in handy quills that serve a variety of purposes:
•You are able to shoot off quills from your head as part of your attack action, dealing piercing damage equal to 1d6 + your dex modifier. These quills are considered a ranged weapon and have a range of 50/150.
• Anytime an enemy misses a melee attack on you, they take 1d6 piercing damage as a result of your spiky defenses.
• You also have the ability to release your quills on those who surround you. All creatures within 5 feet of you are forced to make a Dexterity saving throw against a DC of 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Constitution modifier. On a failed save, the creature takes 2d6 piercing damage. This discharges all your quills and leaves you vulnerable. The damage increases to 3d6 at 6th level, 4d6 at 11th level, and 5d6 at 16th level. After using this ability, you cannot benefit from any of the effects of your quills until you finish a short or long rest.
Survivalist. You are proficient in the Survival skill.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language of your choice.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
5′ 2''	+1d10	100 lbs lb.	× (1d4) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

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