Roachkin (5e Race)

Roachkin

Nothing short of a nuclear blast can kill this vermin!

Physical Description

Roachkin are humanoid cockroach-people. They have large compound eyes and two long antennae protruding from their heads. Their limbs are long and gangly with the arms and legs leading to five-clawed hands and feet. A tough carapace protects their back and wings while a waxy substance coats their skin. They are not known for their good looks to say the least.

Roach Man, Dwarf Fortress Wiki, https://dwarffortresswiki.org/index.php/File:Roach_man.png

History

Roachkin have infested the earth since the days of the primordials. Ancestors of the currently living are said to have seen the births and deaths of Gods. Being highly adaptable, their communities have found homes in nearly every corner of the earth. In early times they were a nomadic race, frequently traveling amongst food sources, but in the recent age they have settled down and tend to spend most of their life in the same place. Having seen nearly every major historical event, the written texts of ancient Roachkin would be an invaluable resource had the Roachkin ancients not written primarily about what sort of feces tastes best.

Society

Roachkin societies tend towards living where there's plenty of food, and they will eat just about anything. The staple jobs of any Roachkin community are farming, ranching, foraging, and hunting. They place a high value on resourcefulness and adaptability. This allows them to form communities in nearly any climate and in any setting from the wilderness to the big cities. They are a generally amicable race, prefering to live alongside other races and benefit from their resources. They are especially amenable to humans and changelings, finding them equally adaptable, and dwarves for their natural resourcefulness.

Roachkin Names

Roachkin, having once used Primordial as their main form of communication, tend to have male names that evoke the sound and feel of the earth and female names that evoke the sound and feel of the wind.

Male: Uuhrk, Grgruo, Tkigg, Grafg, Kruut, Qwek, Kkagk, Trigt, Kgif

Female: Aiewa, Fwau, Houa, Zhaea, Oizwu, Ehwa, Iiali, Xala, Fuira

Roachkin Traits

A disgusting race of cockroach people who have been around since the beginning of life itself.
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 2 and your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Age. Despite being difficult to kill, roachkin have a surprisingly short lifespan. Maturity is reached by age 2 and the typical lifespan is 30-50 years.
Alignment. Roachkin are highly social and amicable leading towards a preference for Good or Neutral, however, they are prone to living by their whims leaning towards Chaotic.
Size. Roachkin are just a bit shorter than the average halfling. Your size is Small.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 25 feet.
Carapace. A natural carapace protects you from harm. When you aren't wearing armor, your AC is equal to 13 + your Constitution modifier. You can use a shield and still gain this benefit.
Skitter. As a bonus action, you can Dash, Disengage, or Dodge. Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you move 0 feet on one of your turns.
Tenacious. When you are reduced to 0 hit points but not killed outright, you can drop to 1 hit point instead. You can't use this feature again until you finish a long rest.
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.
Roach Wings. The stronger you get, the better the wings. At 5th level you gain 30 feet of flying speed. You cannot use this speed while wearing medium or heavy armor.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Primordial.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
2′ 1''	+1d4"	25lbs lb.	× 1 lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

Suggested Characteristics

When creating a Roachkin 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.

d8	Personality Trait
1	My hobbies include long walks on the beach and rolling around in the muck.
2	Unlike the uncultured swine of my home, I only partake of the finest foods and drinks.
3	I seek to become the greatest hunter my village has ever seen.
4	I wish to taste everything the world has to offer, no matter how disgusting or inedible.
5	I like to pretend I don't speak common to frustrate people.
6	I'm the type of person who always carries a health kit. You just never know when you'll need one, or ten.
7	My "sociability" frequently gets me into trouble.
8	I don't understand why other people won't give eating trash a chance.

d6	Ideal
1	Protection. I must serve the weak and downtrodden. (Good)
2	Culture. I wish to experience all the world has to offer (Neutral)
3	Ruin. We were here before the other races and I intend to be here after them (Evil)
4	Order. Things need to make sense. A place for everything and everything in it's place (Lawful)
5	Society. A thriving community needs order but a little spice now and then never hurt anyone (Neutral)
6	Freedom. I follow my heart no matter the strange places it takes me. (Chaotic)

d6	Bond
1	I was separated from my village at a young age and I'll do anything to find them.
2	When my lover passed away I promised to see the world for them.
3	I have friends in every corner of the world.
4	I'm loyal only to those who have earned it.
5	I fall in love with anyone who can cook.
6	This trinket is all I have left of my parents.

d6	Flaw
1	I eat anything and everything until I'm ready to collapse.
2	My odor leaves a lot to be desired.
3	I purposely throw myself into danger to feel more alive.
4	Why pay when you can just take and run?
5	I can't talk to (women/men) without fainting.
6	I make up obviously false stories about places I've never been.

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