Firenewt
THE ADVENTURING PARTY OF FIVE CLIMBED INTO the natural hot spring. Their current job had brought them to the area to deal with some manner of lizards. But regardless of the reason, the group saw the ideal opportunity to relax and enjoy the warm water.
However, the five of them realized their mistake when the now sluggish and unarmored adventurers were surrounded by the local armed angry firenewts who's territory they've entered.
Of Questionable Origins
The exact origins or firenewts are unknown. A common theory is that they're an offshoot of Lizardfolk who adapted to their new habitats, the result of some magical tampering, or even possibly former invaders from the plane of fire, itself.
Regardless of the truth however, what is known that they are now inextricably linked to both flame and water.
Servants of Flame
Needing heat to maintain their metabolism, incubate their young, and cook their hunts, it's no surprise that fire is an integral part of firenewt society.
This has lead many firenewts to worship the wicked lord of the elemental plane of fire as a patron deity, and taking to fire's more destructive aspects by provoking hostilities to all around.
The otherwise insular nature of firenewts has unfortunately lead all of them being painted with the same brush.
Slaves to Heat
A firenewt's metabolism demands that they remain in warm humid regions, or begin to hibernate. This typically constrains them to natural springs in regions of high geothermal activity.
But some of them do wander out from their usual hotspots. These more adventurous firenewts tend to bring alchemical solutions to their heat dependency with them, and plan around the regular cycles of cold that the night brings.
Variant Firenewt: Fireblooded
For balance reasons, a PC firenewt does not have as an extreme dependence on heat and aversion to cold as the lore describes. With the DM's consent, you may replace the Damage Resistance trait with the following:
Fireblooded. You are Immune to fire damage, but are vulnerable to cold damage.
Height and Weight
| Race | Base Height | Height Modifier | Base Weight | Weight Modifier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firenewt | 5'4" | +2d4 | 170 lbs. | x1 lbs. |
Firenewt Personality
Firenewts have an obsession with heat, so much so that it drives many unique mannerism, some of which can be shown in the Firenewt Quirks table.
Firenewt Quirks
| d8 | Quirk |
|---|---|
| 1 | You will happily lie in warm sunny spots for hours. |
| 2 | Your speech begins slurring if it hasn't been warm for at least a week. |
| 3 | You are fascinated by the crackling of fire. |
| 4 | You refuse to get out from under your blanket in the morning. |
| 5 | Your skin gets dry and itchy if you haven't bathed in a couple of days. |
| 6 | Your favorite party member is the one holding the torch. |
| 7 | In cold weather, you insist on hugging the warmbloods for warmth. |
| 8 | When it rains, you insist on rolling in the puddles. |
Racial Traits
The following traits are shared among all firenewts.
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1.
Age. Firenewts mature quickly, reaching maturity at about 4 years of age. They do tragically live just as briefly, the oldest reaching about 40.
Alignment. Firenewts are a tight knit insular
Size. Firenewts are anywhere from 5 to 6 feet tall, and weigh around 170 lbs. Your size is Medium.
Speed. You have a base walking speed of 30 feet, and a swim speed of 30 feet.
Amphibious. You can breathe air and water.
Damage Resistance. You have Resistance to fire damage.
Fire Spit. As an action, you spit fire at a creature within 10 feet of you. The creature must make a Dexterity saving throw. The DC for this saving throw equals 8 + your Constitution modifier + your Proficiency Bonus. A creature takes 2d8 damage on a failed save, and half as much damage on a successful one. The damage increases to 3d8 at 5th level, 4d8 at 11th level, and 5d8 at 17th level.
After you use your fire spit, you can't use it again until you complete a short or long rest.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Draconic or Ignan.
Credits
Designed by d'Artagnan on DMs Guild, /u/dArtagnanDnD on reddit, or dArtagnanDnD on patreon and dArtagnanDnD on Twitter.
- Made with "GM Binder".
- Made with reference and for use with Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition, created by Wizards of the Coast.