Ratatosk

The Ratatosk are enigmatic, celestial creatures that dwell within the boundless boughs and spiraling roots of Sylthauren, the World Tree of Aigusyl. Bearing resemblance to squirrels with elongated tails of radiant light and fur threaded with flecks of shimmering stardust, they are far more than mere messengers—they are the World Tree’s nerves, a living communication network that runs along the sacred paths of the cosmos.

Each Ratatosk is born of bark, starstuff, and echoes—sprouting into existence from knotwood hollows when Sylthauren deems communication necessary. Despite their small stature, they radiate divine energy and move with impossible speed through the planes, climbing strands of metaphysical energy as if they were branches. They speak in riddles, chirps, and trills that only the most attuned spiritfarers, druids, and celestial scholars can understand. Their message is rarely direct—a vision, a riddle, a whisper across leaves.

Ratatosk are playful but dutiful, embodying both the curiosity of lesser woodland spirits and the solemnity of the divine. Some travel the great world-bridging roots to deliver secrets between the higher planes. Others dart through the dreams of sleeping gods or deliver metaphysical warnings to mortals chosen by the tree. They are known to stir strange dreams or leave acorns carved with otherworldly sigils, which bloom into omens or prophetic visions.

Each Ratatosk remembers everything it has ever heard or seen across its travels, and yet never reveals more than it is meant to. Their knowledge of planar balance, lost gods, and primordial truths is unmatched, yet they keep it wrapped in whimsy. It is said that to truly understand a Ratatosk’s message is to glimpse the Weave's design—and perhaps, your place in it.

Though they do not form a hierarchy, certain elder Ratatosk have grown into grander, glider-like forms, their tails trailing constellations and their eyes shimmering like moonpools. These are sometimes mistaken for minor spirits or even tiny archons, and are given reverence by sylvan beings, celestial archivists, and spiritfarers alike.

Above all, the Ratatosk are loyal to Virelyndra, the Warden of the Rootbound Crown, serving her will as instinctively as branches follow the sun. No realm is too far, no secret too deep, and no message too perilous for a Ratatosk. And should you meet one mid-scamper or find its glyph-marked nut upon your pillow, know this:

The Tree remembers, and the stars have begun to stir.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Celestial

Geographic Distribution

• Sylthauren, The World Tree of Aigusyl

BoET

Ratatosk

CELESTIAL

Ratatosk Traits

Size: Varies

Speed: 25ft, and a climbing speed of 10ft

As a Ratatosk, you have these special traits.

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.

Grounded Celestial

You are descended from celestials, but you are strongly attuned to the mortal world. Though you are a humanoid, you are still susceptible to effects that target celestials.

Sharp Tusks

Your sharp tusks are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal 1 piercing damage plus 1d4 psychic damage.

Telepathic

You can speak telepathically to any creature you can see, provided the creature is within a number of feet of you equal to 10 times your level. You don’t need to share a language with the creature for it to understand your telepathic utterances, but the creature must be able to understand at least one language.

Ekorre (Clever Tusk)

Size

Ekorre ratatosks are around 1-1/2 feet tall and weigh between 20 and 50 pounds. Your size is Tiny.

Blessing of The World Tree

You are attuned to the World Tree and can tap into its power. You know the message and vicious mockery cantrips. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the mirror image spell with this trait. Once you cast a non-cantrip spell with this trait, you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Diminutive Weapons

You can wield weapons with the light or finesse properties normally. You have disadvantage on attack rolls with other weapons, unable to use them effectively due to your Tiny size, and they are treated as two-handed weapons. You can’t use heavy weapons at all. A weapon specifically designed for ratatosks (or for other Tiny creatures at the GM’s discretion) are treated normally.

Tradvakt (Tree Protector)

Size

A typical tradvakt stands between 2 and 3 feet tall, weighing from 60 to 100 pounds. Some massive ratatosk warlords reach a towering 3-1/2 feet. Your size is Small.

War Chatter

Your constant chittering distracts your opponents. As a bonus action, a non-ratatosk creature within 30 feet that can hear you must succeed on a Charisma saving throw or have disadvantage on its attack rolls until the start of your next turn. The DC of the save equals 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Constitution bonus. Once you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.