Taninim (5e Race)

Taninim

“

They are both the worse masseuses and the worst to massage.

”

Physical Description

By Shaun Lindow

Taninim are tough-skinned humanoids. Their primary feature is hairless skin that is tough and thick, with a feel very similar to leather. Their bodies appear with what look like seams, as though they were made of stitched, tanned hides. They have the usual humanoid arrangement of body parts and limbs. Usually, they have three fingers and toes. Some taninim have one eye while others have two. The leathery build of their body accentuates muscles usually, though there are some which are notably more blob-shaped and bloated. As they age, their bodies are known to molt off these thick skins, which can be used to make items.

History

It is written in some history that there were attempts to make leather golems once upon a time. However, they were not as effective as hoped. They were not as strong as stone or metal golems, and they were more costly than rope and chain golems. An idea popped into some manufacturer's heads to create instead a draught that would afford normal civilians some protection. This potion turned the skin as thick as light armor. Unfortunately, a rash of side effects resulted in the first town where this draught was sold becoming utterly deserted, as the people who ingested the potion experienced memory loss and bouts of madness.

The taninim are believed to be the descendants of these people who went missing. Their first emergence into the world stage was around 50 years after the townsfolk fled.

Society

Taninim are notably social. They have small encampments within wealds and woody areas, where they live off the land as hunter-gatherers. Their lifestyles are notably ascetic, drawing similarities with that of druids and naturist shamans. While they do have hunters and guards, their individual camps also do a fair amount of crafting. What is unique about their craft is that it uses the discarded molts of their skin in various ways. They are great leatherworkers, as to be expected, and produce high-quality leather crafts beyond just armor. Because their skins come out fully tanned and better than mass-produced leathers, boots and satchels made with their skin are priced handsomely. Taninim have developed a small merchant culture to utilize their commodities and supplement their hunter-gathering. Others strike out of their camps to take on work in cities, becoming laborers and mercenaries.

Taninim Names

Names for taninim come in two parts. The first is usually known as an address, but this consists of more than "Mr." and "Ms." Addresses can extend to adjectives. The second part of their name is usually a typical name from their Common-origin tongue. Having lived in the wild, their language has tinges of druidic and other nature tongues. These names lack gender differentiation.

Address: Leafy, Sholdy, Messers, Balding

Name: Utube, Harib, Naobab, Tako

Taninim Traits

Leather-skin people
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2 and your Constitution score increases by 1.
Age. Usually, taninim live to be around 100 years. The first 30 years of their lives constitute their "golden youth." As they get older after 30, they get stiffer and slower.
Alignment. Minding their own business, taninim do tend towards neutrality.
Size. Taninim vary widely in height and build, from barely 5 feet to well over 6 feet tall. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Leatherskin. While unarmored, your Armor Class is equal to 12 + your Dexterity modifier. You can use a shield and still gain this benefit.
Leather Crafter. You are proficient with leatherworker tools.
Shed Skin. As part of a long rest, you can shed off your skin and produce 5 lbs. of fine leather worth 10gp. If you use this leather to make products, the product's base value is increased by 10 gp. You cannot use this trait again until you have waited at least 1 week for your next skin to shed.
Nature Dweller. You are proficient with the Nature skill.
Thick Skin. Your tough exterior also acts as a good insulator. You have resistance to cold damage.
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**
4′ 11''	+2d8	150 lb.	× (1d8) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

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