Guvan
Dwelling in tight-knit colonies, the bat-like guvan are reclusive humanoids who are more alike to bats than they are to the other humanoid races. They are short and lithe similar to gnomes in stature, though often cadaverously skinny with bat-like heads and fur-covered bodies. However, unlike the other flying races they have only four limbs. As with more natural bats, their arms and fingers are stretched and elongated into wings. This prevents them from manipulating objects while flying, though whatever entity created the guvan granted them two additional digits. This allows them to carry smaller objects with three long, flexible fingers, and still fly.
While very dangerous when pushed to violence, guvan normally prefer to avoid conflict altogether unless the odds are stacked in their favor. Guvan are shy and normally uninterested in the goings on in the world outside their subterranean homes. Most guvan grow up in small familial communities called "colonies," while others are known to live in abandoned buildings, towers, and sewer systems of cities. Those raised in colonies rarely leave home unless there is dire need. Guvan raised in cities often find themselves involved with criminal elements that are happy to make use of the Guvan’s natural gifts. They love being underground and in the dark and are typically uncomfortable above ground and in the light as it makes them feel exposed, though guvan living as adventurers manage to find a way to adjust. They love collecting stones, gems, silver, gold, and any valuable shiny object.
5e Racial Stats
- Ability Score Racial Traits: A guvan increases their Dexterity score by 2, and one other ability score of your choice by 1.
- Type: Guvan are humanoids with the beastfolk subtype.
- Size: Guvan are small.
- Speed: Guvan have a base speed of 25ft.
- Languages: You can speak, read, and write Common and Sqree.
Bite (1) (Ex)
Your fangs are a natural melee weapon, which you can use to make unarmed strikes using either your Strength or Dexterity modifier. If you hit with them, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength or Dexterity modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.Blood Drain (2) (Ex)
As a bonus action against a grappled, restrained, or otherwise helpless foe, you can make a bite attack against the foe and feed off of its blood, dealing damage as normal to the creature, should you hit, you gain 1d4 + your Constitution modifier in temporary hit points.Echolocation (X) (Ex)
A guvan can perceive its surroundings without relying on sight, but instead on sound, out to a range of 40 feet, and you gain advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks made to perceive sounds. Should you ever gain the blind condition due to Sound Sensitivity, you lose this feature for as long as you are suffering from the Blind condition; in addition, if you ever suffer from the Deafened condition, you lose this feature for as long as you are deafened. While in an area completely devoid of sound, you are unable to use this feature, unless you are able to make your own noise loud enough to reverberate through the area, a screech similar in noise to a humans yell is adequate for this purpose.Flight (2) (Ex)
You have large wings built into your arms that, when fully extended outwards, give you a wingspan equal to twice your height. All armor and arm accessories must be tailored to accommodate your wings. You have a flying speed of 40 feet. In order to fly, you cannot be over-encumbered or wearing medium or heavy armor.Plagueborn (1) (Ex)
You have advantage on Constitution saving throws against Disease and the Poisoned condition.Skulk (1) (Ex)
A guvan gains proficiency in Perception and Stealth.Sonic Vulnerability (x) (Ex)
Whenever you would suffer Thunder damage, the Thunder damage that you would suffer is increased by 50 percent (rounding down).Sound Sensitivity (x) (Ex)
Guvans are especially sensitive to sound. If a guvan takes any thunder damage they must make a Constitution saving throw throw with a DC of 10, the DC of the effect that caused this damage, or the attack roll result that resulted in this damage, which ever is higher. Failure indicates the Guvan gains the Blind condition for 1d4 rounds. Failure by 10 or more results in permanent blindness that can only be restored through Greater Restoration, Regeneration or similar high level restorative spells.Swarming (2) (Ex)
You have advantage on attack rolls against a creature if at least one of your allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.Basic Information
Anatomy
While they are all simply humanoids with bat like features many people are fearful of what they see as a giant talking bat. They have short brown, black, or gray fur and leathery wings. Guvan are known to wrap their wings around themselves as they slumber bundled up in their winged embrace. They have luminescent eyes in shades of brown, amber, red, green, or yellow, as well as fangs. Guvan can be as varied in appearance as their smaller feral counterparts, some having large ears and snub features of vampire bats while others have elongated snouts and almost canine features of fruit bats, and so on.
Growth Rate & Stages
| Base | Intuitive | Self-Taught | Trained |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 years | +1d4 years (13 - 16 years) | +1d6 years (13 - 18 years) | +2d4 years (14 - 20 years) |
| Young | Middle Age | Old | Venerable | Maximum Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| under 4 years | 32 years | 46 years | 60 years | 60 + 2d8 years |
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Guvan names are near impossible to pronounce in the tongues of other peoples of the world, due to the high-pitched squeaking nature of the language. Guvan will often adopt names common within the society they're dealing with for convenience. Often combining two common words into one, such as Night Wing, or Moon Scar.
Common Etiquette Rules
Being a guvan may carry some quirks. You may be more comfortable sleeping while using the claws on your feet to hang upside down, rather than a bed. Many guvan like collecting shiny rocks and gems and may be drawn to them, even willing to pay high prices just to add to their collections. As guvan may be socially shy in communities outside their own, they may hide in the back of the tavern, or cover their faces when out in public as to not draw untoward attention to themselves. They also like to eat bugs and may absentmindedly pick a bug off the ground, or fly up to snatch it, and scarf it down before remembering most societies might consider it disgusting to do so.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Between their unsettling appearance, and scarcity, guvans are frequently met with superstitious horror, and persecution in their encounters with even the kindest of the other races. This has prompted guvans to keep their presence a secret, known only to the most trusted of allies.
While rural guvans frequently emulate their animal kin by making use of caves, Urban guvans frequently make deals with organizations known to value discretion. This could take the form of protecting a temple, guildhall, or library in exchange for use of the attic. However, it could equally mean renting an upper floor or roof space from a guild of thieves in exchange for periodic "favors".
Origin/Ancestry
Beastfolk
Average Physique
| Gender | Base Height | Height Modifier | Weight | Weight Modifier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 3' 4" | +2d4" (3’ 6" – 4’ 0") | 20lb. | +2d4*2lb. (24 – 36lb.) |
| Male | 3' 7" | +2d4" (3’ 9" – 4’ 3") | 30lb. | +2d4*2lb. (34 – 46lb.) |
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