Mimic

_{Homebrew race for D&D 5th edition by Dick Jarvis; Revisions by Leah}

Mimics are the results of the Reformation Order’s most successful experiments. Unfortunately this is not a high bar. While they have lost most of the monstrous appetites of their ancient kin, this aspect seems to have been replaced by pure mischief.

Mimics use natural pigments in order to utilize their shape changing abilities effectively. An unintended side effect of the reformation process increased the Mimic’s pigment production, kicking it into overdrive. The reformed mimics are able to produce large quantities of this pigment, and can use it to ‘paint’ any surface they come into contact with.

The Mimic’s metabolism is incredibly slow. While this allows them to wait patiently for long stretches of time between meals, it also means they come across as somewhat tired and lackadaisical in their humanoid forms.

The Mimic’s ability to shapeshift into objects is exactly as effective as their more monstrous counterparts. When they change their outward appearance to look like wood, stone, steel or other basic materials, they are unrecognizable as anything other than those materials. They can adopt the shape and form of most basic objects.

Unlike their ancient kin, however, they can also use their shape shifting ability to take on a humanoid form. They have one preferred humanoid form that they can form into almost perfectly, the form that the Reformation Order created for them.

While they can use their shapeshifting abilities to transform into other humanoid creatures, these transformations are less than perfect. Their attempts at forming into a humanoid figure other than their own often look like a child’s drawing; very clearly wrong, and in no way convincing.

Mimics do not usually name themselves, often ‘going with the flow’ and adopting the names others apply to them. This results in most Mimics simply being referred to as ‘The Mimic’, although many are also named after pieces of furniture.

Mimic Names: The Mimic, The Chair, The Luggage, The Chest, The Bed, The Wardrobe

Mimics all share the following Traits.

Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 1, your Constitution score increases by 1, and your Charisma score increases by 2.

Age. A Mimic reaches adulthood at the age of 100 and can live for several thousand years.

Alignment.

• 🔵 Mimics are patient, cautious, and have a natural guile inherited from their monstrous ancestors.
• ⚫ Mimics are often selfish, interested in acquiring power.
• 🔴 Mimics are mischievous and take actions depending on whether or not they might find it entertaining.

Size. In their humanoid form, Mimics can range from 4 to 7 feet tall. Your size is medium.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Darkvision. 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.

Monstrosity. You are a monstrosity as opposed to a humanoid.

Acid Resistance. You are resistant to acid damage.

Pigment. You produce an inky fluid from your skin in any colour you choose. You can use this ability to paint any surface you touch.

Shapechanger. The mimic can use its action to Polymorph into a Medium-sized object or back into its humanoid form. Any Equipment you are wearing or carrying isn’t transformed, and is instantly doffed when transforming into an object.

If the object of your transformation is a container, the equipment can be stored inside, and is re-equipped when transforming back into a humanoid. Otherwise, the doffed equipment is dropped in an adjacent space, and must be re-equipped normally.

While in Object Form, your statistics are the same, with the following exceptions:

• Your speed reduces to 15 feet
• You can’t make weapon attacks (except for your Bite attack) or cast spells.
• You have advantage on checks made to grapple a creature.
• You are indistinguishable from an ordinary object while motionless.
• You do not need to eat, sleep, or breathe while motionless.

You can also use this ability to transform into a different creature. The transformation is laughably imperfect and crude, and does not require any sort of check to determine that the transformation isn’t genuine.

Adhesive (Object Form Only). Mimics produce a sticky adhesive. While in object form, when a Large or smaller creature willingly touches you, it becomes adhered to you. While adhered to you, the creature is considered grappled. It can use it’s action to try and break the grapple with a contested Athletics check.

Bite (Object Form Only). Your fanged maw is a natural weapon, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with it, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d8 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike. You have advantage to bite creatures you are currently adhered to.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common.