Rodensa
A species of large rodent-like creatures who appeared in Rockport mysteriously and were terrorizing the small children in the town. They were eventually domesticated and trained, but since then have become sentient and very interested in organization.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Rodensa are large (2-3 feet long) rats that look fairly unremarkable until they start to tell you to alphabetize your bookshelves. They are capable of walking upright for short distances, but rarely do so.
Genetics and Reproduction
Rodensa give birth to live young in litters of 2-4. Gestation takes 4 months
Growth Rate & Stages
Rodensa's live an average of 25 years, so they mature relatively rapidly. When born, their eyes and ears are closed, but they are capable of climbing up on their parent's back and clinging to their fur. This is the parents' primary method of transporting their children.
Both parents share equally in raising the babies.
Ecology and Habitats
These creatures thrived in the urban environment of Rockport, but no one knows where they originally came from. When asked, the Rodensa will flatly refuse to talk about it.
Dietary Needs and Habits
In Rockport, rodensa can live quite well in alleyways, feeding on random rubbish. Since becoming sentient, they are eligible for rations, but have refused them, preferring to eat scraps, even if that may unsettle anyone who sees them doing this.
Nevertheless, they've been a big help in keeping the streets clean.
They also like to collect random items. Almost like dragons, each rodensa has particular criteria that they look for in collectibles (i.e. shiny things, cotton things, cute things).
Additional Information
Social Structure
Rodensa live in family units until the babies are old enough to find their own mate and start their own families. They mate for life.
Domestication
The people of Rockport attempted to domesticate the rodensa and, technically, they succeeded. However, the rodensa moved past domestication and straight to sentience.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
As soon as rodensa were demonstrably sentient, the Rockport City Government outlawed owning them as pets or beasts of burden and no longer classified harm done to rodensa as animal abuse. They were given full rights and privileges as citizens.
However, not everyone agrees with this decision and there may be some people who didn't give up their pet rodensas. Giving rodensa the ability to vote is also currently controversial in certain circles.
Facial characteristics
Narrow, pointy nose with long whiskers. Eye color changes from black to white over time as the rodensa ages.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
We know that sentient Rodensa exist only in Rockport, but animalistic versions also exist in the Seven Hells, bred as food for Grun It is unknown whether they can be found in other planes as well.
Average Intelligence
Fairly intelligent, though their real talent is for organization. They have Marie-Kondo'd more than one messy closet.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Rodensa have above-average senses of smell and hearing, plus their whiskers allow them to avoid obstacles in the dark. Their eyesight is very poor and so they have to wear glasses if they want to read anything.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
The rodensa are very new to giving each other names. They used to identify each other purely by smell and they still do to some respect. However, they've noticed that people are more comfortable interacting with them if they have names.
Rodensa, therefore, pick their own names when they are old enough to interact with the world outside of their immediate family. They might change their names a few times in their lives until they settle on one they like. Their names tend to be common words and they don't have last names. For example, a rodensa might name themselves "Teapot" until they learn the word "Cobblestone" and then change their name to that.
Major Organizations
Rodensa aren't really organized in any real sense. In fact, they're not quite sure how people can stand to be around so many other people in such close quarters all the time.
Beauty Ideals
Large front teeth are considered a mark of beauty. Also, a well-organized warren is an absolute must if you ever want to find a mate.
Gender Ideals
Male and female rodensa are nearly indistinguishable to anyone except other rodensa. There aren't really gender roles.
Courtship Ideals
Rodensa who are courting each other will spend time together away from their family units, then visit each others' warrens. When they decide to be bonded mates, they will find and set up a new warren of their own.
Average Technological Level
They learn rapidly and have mastered most tools, but haven't invented anything themselves.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
They don't have a native language, though two rodensa can convey plenty to each other using nothing but body language and heavy side-eye
Common Dress Code
Many rodensa wear little ties because they like them and see it as a sign of sophistication.
Lifespan
25 years
Conservation Status
Very rare, only about 50 in the city of Rockport. They are more plentiful in the Celestial Realm.
Average Height
1-2 feet
Average Length
2-3 feet
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Rodensa fur can be gray, brown, black, or white.
Geographic Distribution
Rodensa CR: 1/4
Small beast, lawful neutral
Armor Class: 14
Hit Points: 7 (2d6)
Speed:
30 ft
STR
7 -2
DEX
15 +2
CON
11 +0
INT
14 +2
WIS
12 +1
CHA
10 +0
Skills: Keen Smell
The rodensa has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Pack Tactics
The rodensa has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the rat's allies is within 5 ft. of the creature and the ally isn't incapacitated.
Nimbleness
The rodensa can move through the space of any creature size medium or larger.
Organized
The rodensa can choose one creature it can see within 30 feet and advise it on the most efficient way to organize its items. As a result, the creature may use a non-weapon item as a reaction.
Senses: darkvision 60 ft; passive perception 10
Languages: common
Challenge Rating: 1/4
Actions
Bite Melee Weapon Attack:+4, Reach 5 ft., one target Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage
Suggested Environments
City alleyways or unused parts of the sewer system. In the wild, they live in swamp forests and are scavengers.
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