D&D General on chitin, tentacles and wisdom.

[Mind of tempest]

in the halfling thread, it became apparent that we lack a real wisdom focused race and apparently all the new fantasy race these days are all tentacles and chitin so as an experiment I am going to try and hammer out the basics for one.
given we do not know that races stats will be going forward I am reluctant to stat them just yet but I have to parts for this cultures and look which are to other to important parts of a d&d race so I will start there.

aesthetics that I can find for chitin
destiny hive is a good starting point

mass effect collectors are good for more chitin creepiness and I am going for good guys but honestly somewhat unnerving.

other

on tentacles here is what I have

really other

On cultures, I kinda want four know ones.
one that lives in the under dark and is not just an evil slaver, might make them good as that place badly need variety.

probably a nature one for the druid and ranger but ideally not just another bland in harmony with nature thing as that has been done to death it will need some real bite might have them work with nature spirits as well.

going for ki and psionics as that tends to get looked over and have chill people who are focused on ageing enlightenment but I got to not make them a stereotype and give them some depth so they work well.

and the evil one will need to look for something unique here as evil slaver has been done to death, might mix conquistadors, religious fanaticism, extermination and body horror for something evil, might give them gun but not going for the demonic rote as that is overdone and besides evil paladins who are not just darkness and evil might be refreshing to fight.

so what do you guys think?

 

[Mind of tempest]

no takers? on one got any sage advice for me? am I that bad at ideas?

 

[Thunder Brother]

DnD is sorely missing an insectiod PC option. Besides the obvious choice of Thri-kreens, An ant-like race would be a nice option. You could divide the race into various subraces based on caste; strong workers, agile warriors, magically skilled queens.

I think the only real issue with an playable insect race is that you would lose some of the alien-ness that naturally comes with intelligent insects. Making them humans but with an exoskeleton and mandibles isn't compelling.

 

[Kobold Avenger]

You could bring back the Expanded Psionics Handbook PC Race, the Dromites.

They're best described as looking like Insectoid Halflings.

 

[Steampunkette]

 

[Mind of tempest]

DnD is sorely missing an insectiod PC option. Besides the obvious choice of Thri-kreens, An ant-like race would be a nice option. You could divide the race into various subraces based on caste; strong workers, agile warriors, magically skilled queens.

I think the only real issue with an playable insect race is that you would lose some of the alien-ness that naturally comes with intelligent insects. Making them humans but with an exoskeleton and mandibles isn't compelling.

Planescape had one I believe.

You could bring back the Expanded Psionics Handbook PC Race, the Dromites.

They're best described as looking like Insectoid Halflings.

I know of them and I find them lacking firstly the lack of tentacles which I am trying to hunt something to use right now as tentacle alien does not work as a search word.
plus they have both feelers and a nose that seems odd and clutter the design and it makes them look too human for what I am going for and the removal of the nose as shown by princess Aurash and her later self king oryx instantly makes the face less familiar.
also, they are just another hive species and that is dull with bug people and I hate cast systems as they never do anything interesting with it.

also, they are only really good if you like psionics which I do but having something else to bulk up their abilities so that even people who care nothing for psionics would have a reason to play them would help.

anyone done anything really interesting with good undead yet?

 

[Tonguez]

Grindylow?

 

[DammitVictor]

It's not D&D (though it originated in a D&D setting) but in my space opera setting I've got a race of octopus-headed psychic aliens who are... pretty much the strongest representation of both Chaos and Good in the setting and the Galactic Council. They're also the species least pearl-clutching and sphincter-clenching terrified of humanity, largely because they're neurologically ill-suited to experiencing that kind of fear.

Their Credo:

• Each Thing and Each Being that exists is a Tool in Self's Design: the Enlightened Self maintains its Tools Harmoniously.
• The Self is also a Tool in Each Being's Design: the Harmonious Self fulfills its Functions Efficiently.
• The Self knows its own Design and its own Function best: the Efficient Self endeavors Autonomously.
• Each Being also knows its own Design and its own Function best: the Autonomous Self seeks Autonomy for All.

Been told a few times this is creepier than if they were Evil.

 

[Mind of tempest]

Grindylow?
View attachment 138642

was not going for leg tentacles but I thank you for tying.

It's not D&D (though it originated in a D&D setting) but in my space opera setting I've got a race of octopus-headed psychic aliens who are... pretty much the strongest representation of both Chaos and Good in the setting and the Galactic Council. They're also the species least pearl-clutching and sphincter-clenching terrified of humanity, largely because they're neurologically ill-suited to experiencing that kind of fear.

Their Credo:

• Each Thing and Each Being that exists is a Tool in Self's Design: the Enlightened Self maintains its Tools Harmoniously.
• The Self is also a Tool in Each Being's Design: the Harmonious Self fulfills its Functions Efficiently.
• The Self knows its own Design and its own Function best: the Efficient Self endeavors Autonomously.
• Each Being also knows its own Design and its own Function best: the Autonomous Self seeks Autonomy for All.

Been told a few times this is creepier than if they were Evil.

I will consider it.

 

[Steampunkette]

The Gnorri of the C'thulhu Mythos 5e Campaign setting. A playable race of aquatic semi-humanoids that can grow up to 4 arms, have variable internal anatomy, and grow breathing tentacle "Beards" as gills while underwater.

Often depicted as having 3 arms which is how they typically live. Two "Weaker" arms and one Strong arm that they use in their day to day life. They sometimes only have two, or even one. The more arms they have, the weaker each arm is. The less arms the stronger.

Not exactly tentacles... but they're pretty Aquatic and Alien.

Alternatively, how about the Atsaad?

Coming from Auroboros, Chris Metzen's new setting (Former World of Warcraft lead) they'll also be fully statted for 5e D&D. Though the setting they're from is pretty gonzo in design so they -may- be underpowered to offset the power increases the setting offers. Can't be sure 'til it releases.