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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Gothmog" data-source="post: 1723832" data-attributes="member: 317">Hey JD,First, I like the idea of Bred races- thats very different and original.  I've actually been eyeing the kroots for a while now too, trying to figure out how I'd use them in a fantasy game, and your ideas are pretty cool.  I have a few observations based on their anatomy and what they remind me of.  I'll post them as additions/substitutions to BFG's posted stats (which are cool ideas too).- I'd up the base landspeed to 40 ft.  Kroots remind me mostly of large predatory ground birds, like the ostrich or the prehistoric axebeak.- Going with the pred ground bird idea, I'd remove the low light vision, and add a +5 racial bonus to Jump, and maybe give them the Run feat.  If you've ever seen large ground birds, the things are fast (if not graceful), and have powerful legs for running and leaping.- As you suggested, the quills would probably be used in mating displays, interpersonal communication, and for defense.  Since they are on the back of the head and shoulders, I'm not sure about the bonus to grapple attempts, since they would rarely come into play there.  Maybe if someone tried to grapple the kroot from behind, he'd risk an attack from the quills at the kroot's BAB (no Str or Dex mods), which does 1d4 damage, plus breaks quills off in the wound doing an additional 1 hp per round until removed.  Also, I could see the kroot fanning out its quills as a warning/intimidation display along with a hiss or screech, possibly giving them a +2 racial bonus to Intimidate checks.- LA +1 sounds about right.As far as society, if they do take after predatory birds, they are probably nomadic or semi-nomadic, roaming their territory in search of food.  I wouldn't imagine they would have a large/developed social structure, and would likely skirmish with other kroots in neighboring hunting areas for territory and hunting grounds.  Kroot males might engage in ritualized combat for leadership or breeding rights, and would have a very strict pecking order.  Since sexual dimorphism isn't as pronounced in kroot and the females are just as large and strong as the males, they likely also take part in the hunt, with the young tagging along behind to watch kroot hunting tactics.  The Hunt itself might be a religious ritual for them, presided over by the leader and a shaman, and a portion of the kill might be dedicated to the god/spirits.  Kroot look like they have an unusal nose and upper head region- perhaps there are numerous air passages or sinuses in there that let them make warbling or eerie calls during the hunt to coordinate their tactics, with litte danger of prey realizing what is going on.  Perhaps kroot also demarkate their hunting domains with grisly totems of past kills, stretched up on trees or primitive scaffolding.  I wouldn't imagine they get along too well with other species, seeing them as food, and they might be puzzled by things like heavy armor or other "civilized" trappings.</blockquote>

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