Wumpus (5e Race)

Wumpus

“	Look at this thing, we can probably just rob it and be don- HAMMER!	”
—Some unfortunate bandit.

Physical Description

By Matthias Halfmann

Wumpuses are small pig-like creatures, with some ursine qualities to boot. With a large head that wears a big and stubby snout, wide flap ears, and small eyes, to the floating tail that follows them wherever, passing by their fat little bellies and stumpy legs, they are easily a rather endearing sight to see in dark dim caves. Their forelegs are capable of holding and using objects despite their nubby appearance, thanks to a hidden thumb. While they mostly walk on four legs, they can just as easily walk upright. Their body is generally slightly squarish rather than rotund and round, despite their portly weight. They move with surprising agility, able to duck and weave out of sight. They have no fur, save a layer of super short hairs, and the pigment is sometimes able to change, and gleams like a sheer raiment when in moonlight.

History

Wumpuses are beasts which live around the Feywilds, usually found in cave complexes. Their recorded origin is a crossbreeding between a wumpaluf and grolipus, which only occurs on nights of the harvest moon. They were thought to be an extinct creature due to their rarity, but they are in fact very secretive and shy. Outside the Feywilds, they are ever more elusive to find. After their initial exposure, there came to be a market for wumpuses, as people either found them to be rare game, or adorable pets. They have thus mainly retreated from the Material Realm, save a few who remain among friends. Rare sightings of them are now rarely in the wild, but among adventuring groups, where they find comfort in numbers. Their elusiveness is believed to be a major contributing factor in their survival as a species.

Society

Wumpuses are rarely seen or heard. They dwell in dark cave complexes, away from predators. These caverns are known to have many pitfalls, as well as monstrous bats. It is a wonder how wumpuses themselves survive, given how cuddly and defenseless they look. People generally speculate that their ability to hide from danger allows the traps to just take care of hunters for them. They live in small familial groups in these caves, usually never leaving, save at night when they may venture out to nearby woodlands to graze. Otherwise, they live off lichens that grow in the caves. These caves often yield ores that they are good at finding. Some purport they trade this commodity secretly.

Personality

Wumpuses are very shy creatures. They can be quick to withdraw from new or unusual and unfamiliar beings, and are very reluctant to try new things or go to unfamiliar places. With companionship, this is made easier. Most wumpuses will grow up being friends with their own, but those who bond with outsiders develop some more daring. Keep in mind, it is still not very much. Wumpuses have a reputation for flaking at the first sight of danger, or being utter cowards. They therefore like playing games of hide and seek, as well as staying safely far away from the front lines. Some are rumored to develop the courage to fight for those whom they have trust in. they do not always talk, but always find a way to have themselves understood.

Wumpus Names

Wumpuses' names can be confusing to some, as most of them are variations of their race's name.

Male: Wumpus, Numpus, Lumpus, Rumpus

Female: Wumpus, Bumpus, Gumpus, Thumpus

Wumpus Traits

Small magical pig-like creatures.
Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma increases by 2, and your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Age. The wumpus has a very long lifespan, that ranges over hundreds of years. Some believe them to be timeless, forever remaining cute and baby smooth.
Alignment. Wumpuses are a race that is almost completely good, being driven by the desire to help those around them and many of them encourage others to follow the rules as they do. Sometimes their cowardice drives them towards neutrality.
Size. The wumpus is a small creature, ranging around 3 feet and 4 feet tall. Your size is Small.
Speed. You have a base walking 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.
Nitro. Wumpuses can roll at high speeds on their bellies, as a way of travelling and eluding captors. When you move on your turn in combat, you can drop onto your belly and double your speed. While you do this, you are considered prone.
Fey Ancestry. You have advantage in saving throws against being charmed, and magic cannot put you to sleep.
Mining Race. Wumpuses are proficient miners, as they are often seen with pickaxes or shovels. Whenever you make an Intelligence (Investigation) check related to finding mining veins of ore, you are considered proficient in the Investigation skill and add double your Proficiency Bonus to the check, instead of your normal Proficiency Bonus.
Magical Communication. Wumpuses can breach any barrier of language or understanding through not only their cuteness, but also a knack for magical messaging powers. At first level, the wumpus can use the message cantrip without material components.
Languages. You can speak, write and read Common and one other language of your choice.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
3′ 0''	+1d12	135 lb.	× (1d6) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

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