Deku Scrub

Within the verdant embrace of the forest realm dwell the enigmatic Deku Scrubs, plant-like beings often misunderstood as chaotic and malicious spirits. However, beneath their brash and mischievous facade lies a surprising entrepreneurial spirit. Many Deku, drawn to the allure of new horizons, leave their homelands in search of business opportunities beyond the confines of the forest.
With their leafy exterior and glowing amber eyes, the Deku Scrubs possess an innate connection to the woodland. Their roots trace back to ancient times, where they harmonized with the rhythms of nature, thriving amidst the canopy's splendor. While some Deku Scrubs may dabble in pranks or play tricks, it is their remarkable capacity for commerce and trade that sets them apart. Their entrepreneurial spirit has led them to establish connections with various peoples, forging alliances and business partnerships that span far beyond the borders of their forest realms.
Known Settlements: Deku prefer to live deep in forests. They have homes in forests and swamps all across the land, but they usually live alone or in small family units. In Woodfall, Dekubaba is remarkable for being an actual functioning Deku Scrub monarchy with subjects and soldiers that has been around for hundreds of years.

Thematic Archetypes

The Swarmsong - Artificer
Armed with their Pipes, the Swarmsong plays a hypnotic tune to bind small beasts to their cause and to fight on their behalf.
Way of Mercy - Monk
Owing to their plantlike bodies, Deku Scrubs can tap into their primal powers to both Heal and Harm with only their hands - provided they have any.
Fey Wander Conclave - Ranger
Although not fey creatures, Deku Scrubs spend so much time in areas rich in Fey magic that they can safely travel these areas without fear.

Deku Scrub Features

Age. Deku are short lived creatures that reach maturity at five years old and don’t usually live longer than twenty five years.
Size. Deku are between 3 and 4 feet tall and weigh around 40 pounds. Your size is Small.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet and you have a burrowing speed of 10 feet,
Low Light Vision. You can see in dim light within 30 feet of you as if it were normal light, and 10 feet in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Deku Shot. Your snout is perfectly shaped to rapidly expel Deku Nuts or other similarly sized objects as a projectile. This natural weapon functions like a sling with which you are proficient. Your Deku Shot has a range of 30/120 feet and does damage equal to 1d4 + your Dexterity modifier on a hit. Your cheeks contain seed sacs that can contain up to six pieces of ammunition for your Deku Shot.
Plant Camouflage. As a bonus action, you can Hide in soft ground and be disguised as a bush. As long as you do not leave that space, you can remain hidden in this spot even while taking actions. To spot your location, a creature must be within five feet of you or make a Perception check against your Dexterity (Stealth) check.
Water Skip. You have the ability to skip along liquid surfaces, effectively allowing you to walk on water. If you end your turn on the surface of the water, you sink into the water.
Flower Fall: As long as one hand is free, you can use a reaction to slow your descent using spinning helicopter flowers that sprout from your hands, slowing your descent to 10 feet per round and granting you a gliding speed equal to your walking speed.

Lifespan
About 25 years
Average Height
Between 3' and 4' tall
Colouring and Markings
Deku are covered in bark-like skin that can vary in shade by region. Their eyes glow in dim amber and the top of their head is decorated by a leaves. Some Deku grow flowers in their head flora, which they carefully maintain for appearance. Most Deku grow a thick bush of leaves on their head to make for a better disguise when hiding.
Geographic Distribution
Deku are most at home in forested areas where they can hide among the shrubbery. Business Scrubs will settle in other areas to do business, but only after a Deku Flower has been planted, which can be used to quickly escape if met with aggression.