HK Pill Bug by

# Pill Bug

<div style="font-variant: small-caps; font-size:110%">My legs shaking, my breath was short and with the sun </div> <i> as the only thing to guide me, I came to terms with the fact that I was terribly lost. The road blended into the dirt a long time ago, and the way points that were supposed to lead the way had failed me. I remember that in those moments I reminisced in hopes of promises of a new life and the wealth that would come with it, only to faint. <br>
You can probably imagine my surprise when I woke up from that slumber to a family of Roly-Poly’s! They had set up a small tent to shade me and placed a wet rag on me to cool my heated shell. I came to find out that I was indeed on the right path, but most bugs like myself misjudge the distance. They said they were lucky to find me and I couldn’t agree more, otherwise I would have surely perished! After I was fully rested, I then joined their family for the rest of the journey. They gave me great tips for long travels along with stories about the places they’ve been. A conversation that reminded me of the thought of if any roly-poly would take a moment to write down the stories of their travels it would be a best seller! Bugs hardly go outside their kingdom let alone travel to the end of the world and back again! Maybe once I am settled and lived a while in Metal Brook I could do some traveling… but only if I have a roly-poly to guide me, of course!</i>

<div align=right>-From the Journal of Bramble</div>

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Every land and kingdom seems to have a different name for this bug; Pill Bug, Roly-Poly's, Slaters, Potato Bugs, Doodle Bugs are just a few of the names. In Hallownest, sometimes when rolled up they are mistaken for Baulders.

### Rolling a long
No one knows exactly where these bugs originated. Pill Bugs are nomadic in nature, traveling in groups around one or between multiple kingdoms. Traveling nomadic groups make money by mainly selling plants, artifacts, or other interesting items they come across while traveling, while other Pill Bugs take their skills as nomadic travelers and put them to use being guides to other bugs, be it guiding them between places within kingdoms or between multiple. <br>
It is rare to find a Pill Bug staying in one area for a long period of time. The ones that do are usually in a specific trade. Though they may be technically in one place, they always seem to be moving, putting in all their effort trying to either improve their skill or their business.

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### Culture
Most Pill Bugs live in nomadic groups that are formed by multiple families living together, with the elders in the families being the leaders. Nomadic groups can be as small as two families living together to as big as ten or more families. Each family works together to help raise the next generation along with teaching the necessary skills on how to survive and navigate the world around them. They are also very straight forward bugs. If a Pill Bug comes across a problem or they get into one themselves, they go with the easiest solution possible to either get out or resolve the problem. 
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Pill Bugs are seen as chaotic by other bugs, but this is because they always seem to be moving. It confuses other bugs because it may seem like each member of the group is doing a completely separate thing, but it all comes together to get a product ready to sell. This does not help by the way Pill Bugs organize their belongings. Where other bugs see their stuff in a disorganized mess around their camp or home, their belongings are actually placed meticulously to best suit their needs and so Pill Bugs rarely lose track of their stuff.

### Common Ancestor 
While some scholars have tried piecing together family roots and records to find where the race originated, scholars that have braved going to the ruined Kingdom of Hallownest and returned believe they have found a common ancestor to the Pill Bug. The Baulder, a species that lives in the Howling Cliffs, has some traits in common with Pill Bugs. Pill Bugs similar to Young Baulders are able to roll around, while having very strong shells like the adult Baulders have. <br>
This has led scholars to theorize that the Pill Bug are the evolved descendants of the Baulder species. They believe that a group of Baulders separated themselves from the ones living within the cliffs to live in the expanse that is beyond the Howling Cliffs. The Baulders then migrated to another, for now unknown, place where they adapted and evolved into the intelligent race they are today. Scholars that have studied this theory also theorized because of so many fossils that make up Hallownest, they believed that it was once a part of an ancient sea and the reason for some of the Baulders migrating was to follow the receding water.

### Appearance
Pill Bugs have uniquely armored shells that allow them to roll up into balls to protect themselves from attacks. They can also then choose to propel themselves forward for either movement or attacking. Able not only to hid their face and arms, but also backpacks or items they are wearing. Their shells can come in a grayish blue, black, or brown.

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### Pill Bug Traits

**Ability Score Increase.** Your Constitution is increased by 2 and your Strength is increased by 1.

**Alignment.** Pill Bugs lean more toward Chaotic.

**Size.** You are considered Medium. Pill Bugs stand between 4 to 4 1/2ft tall.

**Speed.** Your walking speed is 25 feet.

**Languages.** You can speak, read and write common and beetle.

**Rolled Up.** You can roll into your hardened shell to retreat from battle as an action. While in your shell, you cannot make attacks (other than a Rolling Attack detailed below) or cast spells, you gain a bonus to your AC equal to your Constitution modifier (minimum 1), and gain a bonus to your walking speed equal to 5 times your proficiency bonus. Additionally, creatures have disadvantage on opportunity attacks against you. You come out of your shell by using a bonus action or when you become unconscious.

**Natural Protection.** You cannot wear regular armor due to your large size and strange physique. Your shell does provide you with natural armor, however. Your AC is equal to 13 + your Constitution modifier A shield’s benefits apply as normal while you use this natural armor.

**Rolling Attack.** This attack can only be used while you are in your shell. As an action, you can move up to 10 feet in a straight line towards your target. The target must succeed on a Strength saving throw equal to 8 + your your proficiency bonus + your Strength modifier or be knocked prone. On a failed save, it takes 1d6 bludgeoning damage, and half as much on a success.  The damage increases to 2d6 at 6th level, 3d6 at 11th level, and 4d6 at 16th level.

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##### Game Credit
This Race was inspired by the game Hollow Knight by Team Cherry. A labor of love made solely for entertainment purposes and not-for-profit. No copyright infringement is intended. 
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Background Art made by: [Sol-lar-bink](https://sol-lar-bink.tumblr.com/ "Sol-lar-bink")
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Character Art made by: [Ursik](https://twitter.com/U_rsik "Ursik")
 
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