Moonfolk
Version 1.2
By Morgan's Brews (Tumblr)
Said to be born from clouds bathed in the most pure moonlight, the rabbit-like moonfolk sport a very unique cycle of life and death. Their keen senses, rabbit like reflexes, and inherent magical ability lead them to many different walks of life. But in the end, a moonfolk's life will always lead them back to the gentle embrace of the moon, where a new life will begin again.
The Cycle of Life
When one moonfolk dies, their lifeless body starts to decay into a cloudy, wispy substance over the course of a day. These clouds float away and are lost in the sky. Eventually, under certain lunar phases and angles, the clouds will fall from the sky and reform under the moonlight, creating one to several moonfolk infants.
The lunar phase a moonfolk is born under affects a lot about their physical appearance and abilities. Moonfolk born under the full moon are stronger, taller, and tougher than their kin. These individuals have more animalistic features, and are adept in physical combat. Moonfolk born under the half moon are lithe, and fast on their feet. They are lighter than the average moonfolk, sporting great agility and reflexes, leading many to become hunters or scouts. Finally, moonfolk born under the new moon are somewhat rare, since the new moon doesn't shed much light. However, when one is born, they have an exceptional talent for magic, far and beyond that of a normal moonfolk.
Moonfolk Culture
Since much of the moonfolk life cycle relies on the movement of the moon, some moonfolk choose to study astrology, becoming diviners and fortune tellers. These moonfolk are very respected, predicting lunar movements and births of new moonfolk. Since moonfolk usually can not conventionally have children, a moonfolk astrologist will designate a newborn to a family. Many moonfolk also look into adopting orphans of other races in order to start a family.
Racial Traits
All moonfolk have the following traits:
Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by 2.
Age. Moonfolk mature at the same rate as humans but can live up to about 200 years.
Alignment. Moonfolk do not lean towards any particular alignment.
Size. Depending on what phase they were born under, moonfolk can vary from about 5 feet tall to well over 6 feet. Regardless, your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Celestial.
Darkvision. With your keen eyes, you can see even in darkness. 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.
Acute Hearing. Moonfolk's exceptional hearing allows them to be extremely aware of their surroundings. You gain proficiency in the Perception skill.
Lunar Spellcasting. You know the thaumaturgy cantrip. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for it.
Subraces. There are three main subraces of moonfolk, depending on what phase of the moon they were born under: full phase, half phase, and new phase.
Full Phase
Full phase moonfolk are naturally fit and large in stature, making them intimidating foes on the battlefield.
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 1.
Powerful Build. You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.
Intimidating Presence. You gain proficiency in the Intimidation skill. In addition, you have advantage on saving throws against being frightened.
Lunge. Your athletic build allows you to attack with a burst of speed. As a bonus action, you can extend the range of all melee weapon attacks you make this turn by 5 feet. Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you move 0 feet on one of your turns.
Half Phase
Half phase moonfolk are thin and quick, making them extremely evasive, dexterous, and agile.
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Swift. Your base walking speed increases to 35 feet.
Nimble Escape. Your evasive movements make you difficult to pin down. You can move 5 feet as a reaction when an enemy ends its turn within 5 feet of you. This movement doesn't provoke opportunity attacks.
Natural Talent. Half phase moonfolk are naturally deft and nimble. Whenever you make a Dexterity check, you can roll a d4 and add the number rolled to the check's total. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum 1), and regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.
New Phase
New phase moonfolk are the most physically unimpressive of the moonfolk, but have superior arcane and perceptive talent.
Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score increases by 1.
Lunar Mastery. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the detect magic spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the moonbeam spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Wary Senses. Your keen senses alert you to danger, allowing you to act faster in dangerous situations. You may choose to calculate your Initiative bonus with Wisdom instead of Dexterity.
Empath. You can attempt to sense someone's emotional state. As an action, you may touch another creature, and they must make a Charisma saving throw, with the DC equal to 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Wisdom modifier. On a failure, you get an understanding of the creature's general emotional state and feelings. Even on a success, the creature will be unaware that you attempted this.
Credits
Viera Archer and White Mage from Final Fantasy Tactics A2 by Ryoma Ito
Tamiyo, Moon Sage by Lius Lasahido
Please leave any comments or critique for me at morgansbrews.tumblr.com. Thank you!
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