New D&D race

[Comrade Tortoise]

Scute

Personality: Scutes tend to be contented in allowing nature to take it’s course. This is not to be confused with a doctrine of non-interference, but rather one of resignation. What comes will come, and their actions will play a part in it for good, or fo ill. This outlook gives them a tendency toward neutrality more than any other alignment, though, some intervals would like to prefer one result over the other and thus, their alignment can vary as widely as their color.

Physical description: The top of a Scute’s shell typically reaches 2 and a half to three feet off the ground when they are on all fours, and their heads reach roughly five to five and a half feet off the ground when they are standing upright. They weigh between 400 and 500 lbs depending on size.

What a Scute essentially is, is an abnormally large super-intelligent freshwater turtle Their coloration varies by a large margin depending on their clan and location of birth. Some groups are black with red and yellow strips, some are green with yellow red and black markings, and some have a red and black shell, and white skin with black spots.

The Scute is normally a quadruped, however, they are capable of rearing up on their hind legs in order to manipulate objects, walk on their hind limbs, and reach high places.


-2 dex +2 con
While they have phenomenal endurance, Scute’s have a tendency to be a bit ungainly due and their webbed hands and feet prevent them from easily manipulating small objects

Base movement 20 ft Swim 40 ft

Natural Armor Bonus +6

-2 climb checks
-8 to jump checks.

Weapon restrictions: A Scute, due to the way their body is structured, can never gain proficiency in the following weapons; Longbow, light crossbow, any long hafted polearm.

When on all fours: cannot make attacks of opportunity against foes it is not facing.


Natural attacks: 2 claws 1d4 bite 1d6+2

Breath Holding: Can hold breath for a number of hours equal to 1+ constitution modifier.

Withdraw: The Scute has a hinged plastron which is capable of fold up to practically seal off the creature’s body from harm if it withdraws. As a full round action on it’s initiative the Scute can withdraw into it’s shell and gain DR 15/- 75% fortification but can take no other action while withdrawn and must hold its breath while withdrawn. Also, on a successful reflex save the Scute can avoid all damage from a spell or attack which allows a save for half damage.

While withdrawn, the Scute cannot see or hear the outside.

Level Adjustment: +1

Favored class Druid.


Open to suggestions

[frigidmagi]

Seems well thought out, a very tough but slooow race.

[Narsil]

's cute enough to me... (yes, bad pun, I know.)

I'm afraid that the not-too-fast but tougher than nails type races don't really suit me, unfortunately. I prefer something which isn't going to get hit, rather than something that can survive the hit.

[Cynical Cat]

The natural armour bonus is too high. +4 would be better.