Varmint (5e Race)

Varmint

Physical Description

Varmints are smallish, bipedal rat people. They typically range from 2 to 3 feet tall, with the tallest being 4 feet tall and the shortest being one. Varmints usually have thin, lean bodies and are very rarely fat. They all have buck teeth, the coats of fur that end at the hands, feet, and tail, and typically black eyes. However, there are some notable variations; some varmints may have coats with strange colors (pure white, spots of white, etc.), or their eyes may possess unnatural colors, or may even be capable of randomly changing colors.

Illustration by Alex Shatohin

History

Varmints were originally normal rats, but were forever changed when a strange crystal meteor crashed into the continent they inhabited. Varmints were originally wild rats, but became significantly more intelligent as a result of the meteors power. There intelligence typically lands them in occupations that work with intricate arcane or mechanical technology, or with other creatures of similar intelligence.

Society

Varmints live what seem to be very clustered lives. They almost exclusively live with others of their kind (whether family, friends, or otherwise), and typically to the point that several varmints, sometimes even several families of varmints, all live in the same place. These places, as a result, are oftentimes organized poorly and cluttered; this assumption, however, would be incorrect. Though piles of scrap seem to be placed haphazardly and an almost deadly amount of junk is omnipresent, those that created the piles have categorical knowledge of the items in the pile and their several uses. This, by no means, insists that varmints are filthy creatures, more that they understand the various uses for various things and like to make full use of such items.

Varmints are fiercely loyal to one another, and to those they consider close friends; however, colorful, and assumedly venomous, insults are commonly used by varmints, especially to those they are close with. They may be used as a form of affection, but the same insults are thrown against enemies and the anonymous, so this is unlikely. Perhaps they are both affectionate to those regarded as important, and are supposed to be damaging to those who aren’t.

Varmint Traits

Small-ish rat/mice people who are known for their proficiency with insults and their ability to work with technology
Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score increases by 2 and your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Age. Varmints reach full adulthood at 18 and typically don’t live older than 70.
Alignment. While varmints may bicker with their kindred and others, it is typically in good fun or not meant to bring serious harm. Varmints tend toward all alignments, but most don’t stray too far to the evil side.
Size. Varmints are typically very skinny in terms of musculature, or at the very least lean in musculature, and range between 2 to 3 feet tall, with the tallest varmints being 4 feet tall and the shortest being 1. Your size is Small.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet. However, if you have both hands free, you can run on all fours, boosting your movement speed to 40 feet. Additionally, you have a climbing speed of 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.
Pack Tactics. You have advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of your allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn't incapacitated.
Lithe. Due to your small size and lean physique, you can move through gaps that are as narrow as 4 inches wide without needing to squeeze, and up to 2 inches wide with squeezing. Additionally, you are proficient in the Stealth skill.
Venomous Insults. You know the vicious mockery cantrip. The psychic damage dealt by the spell increases to 1d6. Additionally, you may cast it as a reaction when a creature within range rolls a 1 on a d20. If this creature is an enemy, the creature takes an additional 1d6 psychic damage. If this creature is friendly, the creature takes no damage and makes their next d20 roll with advantage.
Awakened. Despite your intelligence and capability for speech, you are still, functionally, an animal. Your creature type is beast. Because of this, you are immune to spells that target humanoids (like crown of madness or dominate person), as you are not a humanoid, but you are susceptible to spells like dominate beast.
Genus Rattus. You have advantage on Perception checks that rely on smell and are also proficient in the Perception skill. Additionally, you are immune to non-magical disease, you have advantage on saving throws against poison, and you have resistance to poison damage.
Tinker-Toy. You have proficiency with tinker’s tools and you may add double your proficiency bonus to any History or Investigation checks you make that are related to magical, alchemical, or technological objects. Additionally, you know the prestidigitation cantrip. Each time you manifest a magical effect with it, the effect manifests as a physical object that corresponds to the magical effect. This object is mechanical and functions for 1d4 hours, after which it ceases function and breaks.
Meteor's Gift. You know the mending cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the identify spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a short or long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the shatter spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common. You are also capable of speaking with rats as if you had cast the spell speak with animals, although this works exclusively with rats.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
2′ 8''	+2d6	15 lb.	× (2d4) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

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