Pseudo-Manticore

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

“Rats? I can handle rats. Gulls? I can handle gulls. But Manticores? Don’t get me started.”

_{—The Harland Morning Show, Cold Open}

Cursed with many aspects of their ancient kin, and relegated to the fringes of society, Pseudo-Manticores are often regarded as common pests. While this reputation is not entirely unearned, it is a role in society for which they have been unfairly cast.

In ancient times, Manticores terrorized mankind. The Wizards of the Southern Well attempted to tame them through magical experiments. They sought to calm the vicious man-eaters and transform them into upstanding citizens. The results of these ancient experiments are the modern Pseudo-Manticores.

Many Pseudo Manticores despise society, seeing the niche they’ve been forced into as a cruel joke. Some long to regain their monstrous nature, some seek revenge on any who study magic, and others accept their fate and simply try to survive in a hostile world.

The most obvious trait Pseudo-Manticores retained from their ancestors is their hunger. They require more food than creatures many times their size, and will go to desperate lengths to get it. Most are not above stealing or rummaging through bins, and their ability to make a meal of anything contributes to their unfair reputation as pests.

Pseudo-Manticores have no set naming conventions, often adopting names from other cultures. Some Pseudo Manticores who believe in reclaiming their monstrous forms also add intimidating titles to their names.

Names: Casper the Vile, Ogden, Samantha the Terrible, Rasputin, Magnum the Vicious

Pseudo-Manticores all share the following Traits.

Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 2.

Age. A Pseudo-Manticore reaches adulthood at the age of 15 and on average live for 60 years.

Alignment.

• ⚫ Pseudo-Manticores are often self-obsessed and power hungry, following in the steps of their monstrous precursors.
• 🔴 Pseudo-Manticores are often impulsive, emotional and violent.

Size. Pseudo-Manticores rarely grow taller than 3 feet, and weigh about 60 pounds. Your size is Small.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

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

Monstrous Appetite. Your daily rations must consist of 2 pounds of food, as opposed to 1.

Iron Gut. You can consume spoiled food and seawater without negative repercussions, and cannot contract diseases from consuming food. You have advantage on saving throws against poison from food sources, and you have resistance against poison damage from food sources.

Voracious Flight. Pseudo-Manticores have the power of flight at a cost. When you activate this ability, you gain a flying speed of 30 feet. To use this speed, you can’t be wearing medium or heavy armor. This ability lasts for a number of hours equal to the number of (2 pound) rations you consume beyond your daily requirement, up to a maximum of 3 hours. You cannot use this ability again until you finish a short or long rest.

Tail Spike. Your spike tail is a natural weapon which you can use to make ranged attacks. If you hit with it, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d4 + your Dexterity modifier. Your tail spike has a range of 30/120 feet. You can use this ability four times per day, and your tail spikes grow back after you finish a long rest.

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