Player Race: Koradi
[ ko-RAH-dee ]
The koradi race is a secretive and protective one defined by the natural environment. Though they rarely interact with outsiders, they live in clan-like communities that share in a mutual relationships with the lands they call home.
A firm grip embraces the curves of the bow she carved in her youth. It is well worn, but she knows it is reliable. As her feet weightlessly skim across tree bark, a foot knocks a loose branch, sending it tumbling down onto the carpeted floor. The hunters take notice and turn around to face her but before they can react, she is long gone.
Evolved Plantfolk
Though koradi aren't plants themselves, their attunement with nature has given them biological traits similar to those of the plants they deem sacred. Koradi skin often takes earthen tones that deepen as they age to help them blend into the local lands. Eye colors vary greatly but are generally hazel or green in tint with an almond-shaped iris. Their hair ranges from common human tones to vibrant greens and misty whites. Those who are born with less exotic skin tones generally find an easier time assimilating with human society, though even the fairest-skinned koradi will have a noticeable tint.
However, the most distinguishable feature of koradi lies in their more naturalistic elements. Koradi from the deep woods will have bark-like skin that resembles trees, while those from the swamp have amphibian-like skin. All koradi have various plant-like markings or growths over their bodies — sometimes symmetrical and sometimes not. These markings help the koradi blend in with the local lands and are used by outsiders to further differentiate them from one another. Koradi with the largest and most visible markings are held with the highest esteem among their community.
Clan and Community
Koradi are an extremely resourceful folk that often create the tools they need from materials found in their homeland. As they will almost never purposely harm a plant or tree, they instead gather these materials from tree limbs that have fallen due to a storm, or animals that perished due to natural causes. However, the bulk of their resource gathering comes from trading among their own clan and with neighboring koradi clans.
These resourceful folk tend to organize themselves into clans that support and protect each individual member. Any materials or wealth they obtain are usually shared among their clan, though koradi will still keep personal belongings of high importance to themselves. Koradi clans often revolve around one or two resources native to their homeland and will freely trade with other clans and the few creatures they trust, exchanging materials found in one region for those found in another.
Nature's Wardens
As creatures who thrive and live off of the land, koradi have an obligation to protect their homes from anyone who seeks to cause harm to them. Hunters who (often unknowingly) stumble into a koradi clan's territory must be extremely careful to avoid harming the environment so as to avoid being confronted by them. Harming a single koradi or sometimes even a single tree they hold sacred can cause the whole clan to turn against someone. On the other hand, koradi will guarantee safe passage through hazardous terrain to people who prove their alliance.
Koradi are not greedy beings and will rarely perform tasks in exchange for money. They instead prefer to barter using goods and services. Because they often have to share their lands with good-aligned fey, they tend to have an instinctual trust for fey and fey-like creatures— especially with dryads and other woodland protectors. Koradi will usually stay away from half-orcs and dwarves, and will keep a close eye on any humans they encounter. But a koradi will be quick to trust a gnome or an elf. Regardless of race however, a koradi holds a creature’s respect towards nature (or lack thereof) above all else. It is for this reason that the only humans that have ever gained the trust of a koradi clan have been druids or hermits.
Artful Hunters
Koradi are magical beings with a deep love for art, lore, and above all nature. Their equipment is expertly crafted from natural materials and is often expertly decorated with engravings and adornments. While many take up roles within their clan as dedicated farmers or healers, some will go on to train as silent trackers and warriors, perfecting their hunting and magical abilities in the process. Becoming a protector within your clan is viewed as a sign of great honor.
Though few ever leave their clan and the local lands, the ones who leave the comfort of the woods may do so as a result of their natural curiosity, a desire for a better life, or sometimes even exile. They tend to put their skills to use in the outside world as sages, rangers, soldiers, herbalists, witch doctors, and sometimes even adventurers.
Koradi Names
Koradi know each other primarily through their distinct markings and role within their clan. They usually only have a single name assigned to them by either their grandparents or the clan elder. Most koradi names are sylvan in nature and resemble those of elves, gnomes, and other fey. They lack a formal last name and instead use their clan name when required. Koradi clan names are more often than not based off of the materials and resources found within their territory.
Male Names: Aldon, Alser, Bilmorn, Calwin, Darfin, Eldron, Errick, Hagas, Klaern, Salen, Tanion, Valrick, Wirenth, Wrelin, Zaos
Female Names: Alimer, Arryn, Ava, Ellarian, Erryn, Gaylia, Itariae, Lhuna, Naumys, Nuovis, Radelia, Sylmae, Teryani, Thalia, Yhendorn, Zentha
Clan Names: Alderwood, Amaranthe, Artemisia, Ashtree, Balsame, Calypto, Clove, Fennel, Helmlocke, Lily, Oaknut, Roselia, Spruce, Willow
Koradi Traits
Koradi are clever creatures who must also be hardy enough to survive in the wilderness. Your koradi character has the following traits in common with other koradi.
Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by 2.
Age. Koradi age slightly slower than humans and reach maturity at 20 years of age. The oldest koradi can live up to 150 years.
Alignment. Koradi are incredibly respectful of their ancestors and rarely attack without reason, lending them towards a more lawful alignment. Evil-aligned Koradi are few and far between, as the interests of most koradi lie in the preservation of their homes and society.
Size. Koradi are about the same size and build as humans. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Natural Camouflage. You have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks when trying to hide in dense foliage such as in swamps and forests, and you can take the Hide action while only lightly obscured by foliage. You lose these benefits if you don medium or heavy armor.
Verdant Being. You know the druidcraft cantrip and can cast it at will. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for it.
Folk Remedies. You are proficient with herbalism kits.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and one language known by the people your clan trades with, most often Elvish, Gnomish, or Sylvan.
Subrace. Koradi from different climates tend to develop slightly different characteristics. The most common koradi come from either forested areas and are known as wildhearts, or from swampy regions and are known as mosshearts.
Variant Koradi
You can select the following trait in place of the koradi's verdant being trait.
Salutary of Nature. You can cast the goodberry spell once using this trait without requiring material components, but must finish a long rest before you can do so again. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for it.
Koradi Subraces
Wildheart
As a wildheart koradi, you come from a heavily-forested region such as those found deep within the Feywild. You long for the untamed wilds— those places untouched by civilization, and your biology shows it.
Wildhearts tend to have dark green or brown skin characterized by visible patches of rough, bark-like texture. Your skin is thicker than most other creatures', resembling the bark on the trees from your homeland. As a wildheart, you have the following traits.
***Ability Score Increase.***Your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Thick Hide. Your skin has adapted to protect you without the need for cumbersome armor. You gain a +1 bonus to your AC while you aren't wearing medium or heavy armor.
Tree Climbers. You have a climbing speed of 30 feet.
Mossheart
As a mossheart koradi, you are used to the damp soil and bogs of dense swamps. You are extremely well-versed in navigating the rivers of the region and have adapted to a life surrounded by dangerous plants and creatures.
Mossheart skin tends to be slightly lighter than that of wildhearts, often with an olive or turquoise hue to it. Your skin is soft to the touch and shimmers slightly in the light as if it were perpetually damp. As a mossheart, you have the following traits.
Ability Score Increase. The mossheart race is particularly resilient. Your Constitution score increases by 1.
Poison Resilience. The deadly toxins common in your homeland have forced you to evolve a natural resistance against them. You have advantage on saving throws against poison, and gain resistance to poison damage.
Born Swimmers. You have a swimming speed of 30 feet and can hold your breath for up to 15 minutes.
Deepgrown
The rarest of the koradi race can be found deep inside caves or the Underdark, known as the deepgrown. Despite being surrounded by notoriously evil creatures, deepgrown koradi rarely have evil motivations. However, they are far more likely to attack in retaliation. These koradi especially rely upon their reclusive habits for self preservation and protection.
Your biology has shifted slightly to resemble the fungi of the Underdark. Your skin tone ranges between shades of gray and purple and features prominent red or white spotting. As a deepgrown koradi, you have the following traits.
Ability Score Increase. Deepgrown rely upon their intellect to avoid predators. Your Intelligence score increases by 1.
Toxic Touch. Your skin can secrete a mild toxin that is harmful to most creatures. As a bonus action, you can force a creature grappling you, grappled by you, or otherwise in prolonged contact with you to make a Constitution saving throw (save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Constitution modifier). On a failed save, the target becomes poisoned until the end of its next turn. You must then finish a short or long rest before you can use this trait again.
Darkvision. Having spent your life in constant darkness, your eyes have adapted to allow you to see in low-light conditions. 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.
Winterborn
A special subrace of koradi known as the winterborn exists in the tundras and evergreen forests of the world. Unlike koradi from the swamps and woods who create permanent dwellings for themselves, winterborn rarely stay in one place for an extended period of time. The harsh cold and strong winds of such regions make farming extremely difficult, so winterborn instead migrate alongside the local animals.
Winterborn koradi have pine green or dusty brown skin tones with dark striations resembling pine needles. They often decorate their thick, dread-like hair to resemble the native coniferous forests. As a winterborn koradi, you have the following traits.
Ability Score Increase. Winterborn are naturally athletic. Your Strength score increases by 1.
Arctic Acclimation. You have resistance to cold damage and are naturally adapted to cold climates, as described in chapter 5 of the Dungeon Master's Guide.
Nomadic Physiology. Your body has evolved to allow you to travel across vast swaths of frozen terrain. You can travel twice as long as other creatures without risking exhaustion, and difficult terrain made of ice or snow doesn't cost you extra movement.
Feats for Koradi
The following two feats are available to all koradi, in addition to the standard options.
Koradi Warrior Training
Prerequisite: Koradi
You have undergone training in the weapons and tactics employed by your clan's warriors. You gain the following benefits.
- Increase your Dexterity score by 1, to a maximum of 20.
- You gain proficiency with blowguns, scimitars, and shortbows.
- You know traditional methods of concealing and obscuring the source of attacks made using koradi weapons. When you make a ranged attack from concealment using a blowgun, longbow, or shortbow that would reveal your location, you can make a Dexterity (Stealth) check contested by the target's Wisdom (Perception) check. On your success your position is not revealed. You automatically fail this check if you have already made another attack against the target since the start of your turn.
Voice of the Wild
Prerequisite: Koradi
You have made a name for yourself among your clan due to your innate ability to communicate with wild creatures. You gain the following benefits.
- You gain proficiency in the Animal Handling skill. If you’re already proficient in it, your proficiency bonus is doubled for any check you make with that skill.
- Beasts and plant creatures are able to understand your speech as if you shared a language with them. Though you do not necessarily understand them in return, creatures that lack a language can usually express simple ideas through their body language. A creature's ability to comprehend your messages and respond accordingly is limited by its intelligence and what it knows in life.
About the Race
Balance
This race is nearly guaranteed to be balanced in most scenarios, though they will naturally gain a massive advantage in forested environments. Using Detect Balance's guidelines, this race scores around 25-26 for each of the four subraces. This is right in the middle of the recommended 24-27 range for custom races.
Afterword
The koradi race was originally inspired by dryads and can be thought of as being thematically related to them the same way tieflings are to devils or aasimar to celestials. They are intended to be a somewhat rare species primarily because they remain hidden in their lands. While they can be just about any class, they work best as druids, rangers, and monks.
Their clan-like societal structure and resourcesfulness was inspired by Native American traditions as well as prehistoric hunter-gatherer societies. If you wish to include their society in your game, feel free to use those as inspiration for the koradi culture. While I've included a total of four subraces, mossheart and wildheart are the two core subraces for koradi. Any other subraces besides these two should be very rare.
I very much hope you enjoy this race and include it in your game. I hold the koradi race close to my heart and have put plenty of thought and love into them. If you use them please let me know, I'd love to hear about it!
Thanks for reading, enjoy!
Credits
Art Credit
Erlan Arya — Druid (Artwork)
MAKS-23 — Fantasy Landscape (Artwork)
Version 2.26
