Yautja (Revised)
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Yautja[edit]
“It's an alien. By which I mean, it's not from this planet. Highly intelligent, highly resourceful, with reflexes you wouldn't believe.”
The Yautja (ya-OOT-ja); commonly known as Predators or Hunters in addition to the alternate name Hish-qu-Ten, or simply Hish; are a sapient, spacefaring species of extraterrestrial humanoids: a race of hunters that continuously seek the most exotic and dangerous prey. The Yautja originate from the predator homeworld of Yautja Prime.
Physical Description[edit]
Yautja are bipedal humanoids, physically distinguished from other humanoids by their greater height, arthropod-like mandibles, long, hair-like appendages on their heads that are set into their skulls, and their luminous phosphorous green blood. While generally uniform, each Yautja's physical appearance includes a number of subtle variations, akin to human genetic diversity. Similarly, while Yautja heights vary, they are typically over 7 feet tall, although some have been known to grow to 8 feet or even taller. Despite this, shorter individuals have been recorded. These individuals are unusual and their smaller height the subject of ridicule in Yautja society. The species' reptile-like skin can range in color from light to dark, be mottled or clear, and can appear dry or moist and clammy.
Their bodies are also highly resilient to damage, capable of recovering from multiple severe wounds and radiation doses which would be fatal to humanoids. They are far stronger than Humans and other humanoid-like races, being easily capable of out-matching a conditioned adult Orc male and shattering solid concrete, or tearing a Goliath's head and spine from the body with little effort, while some larger specimens have even been seen to tear creatures as large as Minotaur in half using only their bare hands. This strength extends to their lower bodies as well, as Yautja can jump up to three stories high, and are capable of falling up to ten times their height and landing safely on their feet. They are skilled climbers, and prefer moving at height through trees or across rooftops in pursuit of prey, typically jumping from one vantage point to the next.
Yautja have a carnivorous diet, capable of eating meat raw off almost any creature. Some have been noted to consume their own in extreme situations. They can last for up to three days without food, and gain all the sustenance they need through meat. And there are few creatures more terrifying than a hungry Yautja.
History[edit]
There is clear evidence that there have been mutually beneficial relations between the Yautja and the early humanoid civilizations of Faerûn such as the Netheril, the Imaskar, The Sarrukh Empire of Okoth, the Mezro, and the Maztican Empire. These ancient civilizations worshiped the Yautja as deities, as well as performed sacrifices so the Yautja could partake in their hunts of the Xenomorphs. It may also be said that the Yautja may have held considerable influence over some known civilizations, such as the Mezro and the Maztican Empire, from teaching humanity about architecture and giving them certain technologies. The Yautja would return to these worlds every century to consummate the bargain. Overtime relations between the other races and the Yautja deteriorated, with most written history of the Yautja being wiped out or lost over time.
Society[edit]
Yautja are clearly shown to be organized into groups; which are generally referred to as clans, although they appear to be ruled by a King. These clans seem to be somewhat familial, with clear hierarchical structure and leaders, and each seems to have distinct technology and customs, although the fundamental bases of their culture are still largely the same across the species. The many distinct Yautja clans are governed by the Council of Ancients. It's been shown that if a clan desires to have exclusive hunting rights to a planet, they must be petitioned. It is also shown that they seem to have exclusive use of atomic weaponry in Yautja society.
Yautja Names[edit]
Yautja birth names are virtually impossible to pronunciate in any language other than their own, so they tend to pick a name in relation to a feature of their's.
Yautja Traits[edit]
A race of hunters that continuously seek the most exotic and dangerous prey.
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength and Constitution score each increase by 2.
Age. Yautja mature at 200 years old and, while the upper limit for age is not known, some have been known to live for hundreds or even thousands of years, though they are considered old at around 900.
Alignment. The majority of Yautja strongly adhere to a strict code of honor, resulting in a strong lean towards lawfulness. Some, however, break this code and become "bad bloods", who are typically exiled and hunted.
Size. Yautja stand anywhere from 6' 8" to over 7 feet tall, with some exceptional individuals passing 8 feet, and can weigh anywhere from 400 to 500 pounds. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 40 feet. Your climbing speed is equal to your movement speed.
Yautja Resilience. Yautja have been hardened through centuries of hunting. Their hide is thick and tough but can still be pierced. You have resistance to bludgeoning and slashing damage
Natural Weapons. Your training and powerful build assures you are never unarmed. If you hit with your fists, you deal bludgeoning damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier.
Yautja Fortitude. You can last up to 48 hours before normally needing to eat or sleep, as well as having advantage on Constitution saving throws against exhaustion. Also, your hit point maximum increases by 1, and it increases by 1 every time you gain a level.
Hunters Leap. You can make a high or long jump as though they had a running start. The distance you jump may exceed your speed.
Infravision. The Yautja naturally see on the infra-red bandwidth of light. Allowing them to see infrared light, allowing them to note difference in heat and see in the dark similarly to Darkvision. Strong sources of heat such as fires and torches may blind you or cast significant shadows, just as intense light does with normal vision, causing infravision to not function well with such heat sources nearby.
Mimicry. You can mimic voices you have heard. A creature that hears the voices you make can tell they are imitations with a successful Wisdom (Insight) check opposed by your Charisma (Deception) check.
Hunter. You are proficient in the Stealth skill and have advantage on Wisdom (Survival) checks to track creatures. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check you make that uses either of the proficiencies.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Yautja and one other language of your choice.
Random Height and Weight[edit]
| Base Height |
Height Modifier* |
Base Weight |
Weight Modifier** |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6′ 8'' | +2d10 | 350 lb. | × (2d6) lb. |
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*Height = base height + height modifier | |||
Yautja[edit]
Yautja society is broadly defined by two features: the Hunt and their tightly binding code of honor. The Hunt refers to the ritualistic hunting of any lifeform that they consider 'worthy'. This typically involves dangerous creatures and even intelligent lifeforms on occasion. This practice appears to be the ultimate foundation of their society and serves to establish an individual's role and status among other Yautjas, such that experiencing defeat during a hunt will often cause them to commit honorable suicide rather than return. The code of honor that guides their society also determines how a hunt takes place. This code of honor dictates what makes an adversary worthy and thus serves to increase the honor of an individual or clan, and thereby their social standing.
Of course, not all Yautja observe or respect this code and are summarily deemed "bad bloods". These Yautjas are typically exiled from their society and often hunted by others.
The precursors to the Yautja were the Hish-qu-Ten (or simply 'Hish'), ancient ancestors of the species who were present several millennia ago on Yautja Prime. Yautja Prime is the home planet of the Yautja, although its true name is unknown. The planet has at least two major biomes: a dry, hot, desert environment with rivers of flowing lava and a humid, wet jungle biome. The Hish supposedly did not differ too far cosmetically from the Yautja, though they were shorter, and far more primitive and intellectually underdeveloped. At some point, the Hish were subject to a planetary-scale invasion from the advanced insectoid race known as the Amengi. The Amengi decimated the Hish, and subsequently subjugated them to a slave race under their global rule for centuries to come. The Hish were treated atrociously by their rulers, with the Amengi using them for slave labor, food, experiments, and a means of entertainment (specifically for hunts or fighting competitions).
However, militarily soft from years of luxury, the Amengi were suddenly overthrown and slaughtered in a brutal and bloody slave-uprising, orchestrated by Kaail, an unusually large and intelligent Hish who remains a legendary figure in Yautja lore. Despite their advanced technology, the Amengi were thoroughly overwhelmed by Kaail and his rebels, and those not slaughtered outright, were themselves enslaved. The Hish would go on to seize the Amengi's technology for themselves, adopting it into their own culture and eventually creating an unusual blend of both advanced science and primeval savagery. Possibly inspired by the Amengi's sporting hunts, the Hish would seemingly integrate hunting into their ways - this venator-culture would eventually define the Hish/Yautja way of life and would continue for generations. Eventually, the Hish people would become the Yautja.
Yautja move to new regions to hunt and gain knowledge from all kinds of civilizations, and perhaps help some wandering explorers by accident along the way. If you use this background you must follow certain ideals:
• You must never attack an injured or diseased creature if they are unarmed and haven't attacked you.
• You must never kill a creature if it would doom another creature's life. Pregnant or parental creatures fall under this.
• To take the trophy of another Yautja, living or dead, is a great insult. Failing to abide by this rule will result in abandonment by the clan, left with no weapons or gear.
• The murder of another Yautja is the worst crime. Exceptions to this are in cases of self-defense, landing an accidental killing blow in a wrestling match, or dealing with Bad Bloods.
• If a creature challenges you to one on one combat, you must show yourself to them, even the odds and mustn't use any of your tech during the battle (unless they cheat or are assisted).
• When hunting for food, slay only the weak. This is to purify the species' line.
• When coming across wounded game by another hunter, and it is dying without sport, show honor to another's kill.
• Those who defeat you in a fair hunt, or who are the victors of a deadlier duel who show you mercy are to be treated as equal. You must either kill them, yourself and them, or bestow a reward.
• When you kill or hunt a creature all alone following these ideals, you will be worthy to collect a trophy of your hunt, like a skull or a spine.
Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from Stealth, Survival or Nature, Perception
Tool Proficiencies: Poisoner's Kit, Herbalism Kit
Equipment: An herbalism kit, a trophy from a monster you've killed (horn, claw fragment, etc.), 5 days of rations, and a ceremonial dagger
- Ceremonial Dagger. This is a weapon used by Yautja as a tool to take trophies from fallen enemies. It does 1d6 damage, but as a bonus action you may take a portion of a creature and turn it into a trophy. Depending on what creature you took this trophy from, you have advantage on intimidation or persuasion checks on that type of creature.
Languages: You know two additional common languages of your choice, preferably those spoken by the creatures you deal with the most. This could vary depending on the age of your Yautja, as older and more experienced Yautja may be better skilled in speaking languages other than their own.
