Spriggan
Forest Spirits given shape
A race that was supposedly born of forest spirits, legend says they were given bodies by the god Leia due to an agreement he had made with their Elder Mother to give her a corporeal form. Their forms appear as if they were made out of plant-like flesh, and more often than not they are covered in plants and plant-like features. Many see the Spriggans as a supernatural race, and many give a wide berth to them and their territories out of respect and sometimes fear.
Basic Information
Anatomy
With such unique biology, Spriggans are an anomaly amongster other sentient races because any and all substances within their body are truly unique to Spriggans and Spriggans only. Their features can be compared to plants and the various parts on plants- but they do not share anything past texture and appearance.
When it comes to their skin layer- Spriggan skin is rough and tough, yet flexible. Spriggan flesh underneath their skin can range from reds, to dark magentas, to yellows, to greens, and it is springy and spongy. Their organs are similar, but will more often be golden or green in color due to their bodily fluids often being this color. Their blood is honey-like in color and opacity, and is as thick as sap- causing some cultures to call Spriggans honey-bloods. Meanwhile their sturdy yet pliant bones are often a tan to golden brown material resembling heartwood.
Sprigans look humanoid aside from the nearly barky or vine-like texture of their skin and they can have a vast range of body types and sizes. Their faces are very human-like, and their eyes come in any color and are catlike with black sclera. The hair of Sprigganlooks like they are made out of leaves, moss, or succulents, and they can also have flowers, fronds, or other plant-like growths growing out their hair as well as on other areas of their body. Additionally, they can have horn or antler-like growths on their head made out of the same material of their skin and bones.
Additionally, Spriggans can add plants to their body from contact- an ability they often use to spread plantlife. Unlike when mushrooms, moss, and lichen, these plants never become one with the Spriggan. While they do gain some benefit from their union, Spriggans mostly use their ability to either decorate themselves or to spread plant life around.
Genetics and Reproduction
Spriggans are able to create more Spriggans with propagation with cuttings from their own body. They may attach a piece of themselves into a plant or into another consenting Spriggan, and then they care for and grow the new Spriggan. If a Spriggan opts to grow a newborn Spriggan from another's cuttings, they adjust their form to gestate the cutting into a new born similar to mammalian species. In either case, one or both of the parents provides a constant source of kana to form a new spirit to the cutting to form a new life. This period of growth ranges from 7 to 12 months on average.
Should a Spriggan wish to have a child with a member of another race, they have two options. The first is to give around half a litre of the Spriggan's blood to the potential mother, which then acts in the place of sperm for fertilization while giving the future child the plantlike features as they grow in the womb. This pregnancy has the same gestation period as the race of the mother.
The other option is for a Spriggan to alter their forms to have compatible anatomy with the race they wish to have a child with. They then are fertilized by the member of the other race, and begin a pregnancy in the same exact process a Spriggan would experience when having a child with another Spriggan. The only difference is that the pregnancy lasts for as long as a member of the other parent's race would go through. They also may lay a plantlike egg if they have a child with a non-mammalian race.
Growth Rate & Stages
Spriggan grow from childhood to adolescence in about 8 years, and reach adulthood specifically at 15 years old. Children are small, much like humans and other similar faces, but they gain the intelligence of an adolescent in only 3 1/2 years after birth. With their adolescence, they are more gangly, and many individuals begin collecting plant growth on their body.
Well after adulthood, and a few hundred to a few thousand years after their lifespan- many Spriggans begin intentionally altering their looks to reflect their age. Additionally, mosses, lichens, mushrooms, and vines begin to grow more frequently on their bodies, even unintentionally for individuals. This becomes a natural symbosis between the plant of fungus, which in turn alters the moss, lichen, and/or mushrooms to be almost one with the Spriggan’s body.
Spriggan are capable of altering their appearance to change how they look, anytime they please during any whim they may have. This shapeshifting is limited to staying close to their humanoid forms, however, so they cannot make themselves look exactly like an animal like most shapeshifters. They also can not emulate the form of centaurids and similar biped races.
It is a somewhat slow process to change their looks, compared to shapeshifting, but even the largest changes take five minutes at most. They are even able to use this ability to temporarily change to grow enormously for several minutes- and they often use this ability to protect their territory.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Spriggans can subsist off of plant matter, fungi, and meat, and will sometimes even eat insects. They are omnivores in a strong sense of the word, and have very strong stomachs that can handle many foods, including weaker poisons. There seems to be a favoritism towards eating plants and animals with higher kana content, which is speculated to make up for their frequent usage of kana as well as being magical beings.
Biological Cycle
Some individuals of spriggans are affected by the seasons and will shed leaves and change colors based on the seasons. Many members will also become sluggish in cold environments, and thus winter results in many spriggan becoming more inert in their activity.
Additional Information
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Spriggan are found as far as any plants reach due to their attraction to nature and plantlife. They only avoid the most extreme regions- such as the coldest tundras- of the planet as it is a bigger struggle for them to survive in those regions.
Civilization and Culture
Culture and Cultural Heritage
Spriggans seem to only congregate to relax and prance together before heading back to their homes. They have no settlements, and while some find places they claim as their home and territory, they tend to be wanderers. Their free spirit, naivety compared to other races, and lack of morals make many of them seem almost childlike. But they are perfectly aware of violence, and will make use of it to protect themselves, their homes, favorite spots, or any person or creature they care about. Spriggans can often be spiteful, as well, if you harm something that grows or lives in their territory- often making the aggressor miserable until they feel that the punishment is enough.
Scientific Name
Phytophasma anthromorpha
Lifespan
Nearly immortal
Average Height
5'3" (160.02 cm)
Related Myths
Spriggan
Ability Score Increase +2 Wis, +1 Con
Size Medium
Speed 30 ft.
Darkvision
With supernatural vision, you can see in the darkest of forests. 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.Transplant
Spriggan have been said to take plants and replant entire forests that have damaged, while others seem to take in plants as if they were pets or companions. You are able to fuse a single cutting or piece of living plantlife to grow on your body. This plant grows on your body as if it was the ground, it regrows over a Long Rest, and it can be removed to be planted elsewhere at any time. Depending on the plant, it can be used for different effects, once per day. (See the table below.)| Plant Type | Effect | Range | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carnivorous | As an action on your turn, you may take a growth from the carnivorous plant on your body and release it onto the ground to grow in a spot within 10 feet of your current position. This plant will then deal Attacks of Opportunity on any enemies that walk by it. If it succeeds, the plant deals 1d6 = Your Wisdom modifier in Necrotic damage. | 10 feet | Venus Fly Traps, Pitcher Plants, Sundews |
| Edible | With edible fruits growing on your body, you are able to harvest them to feed yourself and your companions. The amount of food provided is enough for three rations. | — | Apple Trees, Blueberries, Tomatoes |
| Medicinal | The plants that grow on your body may be used to varying degrees of medicinal aid. You gain advantage on Medicine checks if you use the plant you are growing on your body. | — | Elderberries, Ginseng, Common Nettle, Ginger |
| Poisonous | You are growing a toxic plant on your body that would harm most creaturs. You are able to grind up leaves, berries, etc. from the plant and coat it on a single weapon or up to 3 ammunition, or use it to poison food or drink. This effect functions as a Basic Poison on a weapon, and as Assassin's Blood in food or drink. | — | Holly, Hemlock, Wolfsbane, Foxgloves |
| Thorny | As a bonus action on your turn, your body can mimic the spines on the plant that inhabits it. These spines are then fired out in a 10 ft. radius around you, dealing 1d4 + Your Proficiency bonus in piercing damage. | 10 foot radius | Cacti, Rose Bushes, Hawthorn Trees |
| Vine-like | As an attack on your turn, you are able to use the vines on your body to perform a grapple attack on an enemy within a 15 foot radius. | 15 foot radius | Ivy, Wisteria, Grapevines, Trumpet Vines |
Nature's Kin
As a Spriggan, you are a nature spirit given corporeal form; so you know the workings and intricacies of nature by heart. You have proficiency in two of the following: Animal Handling, Medicine, Nature, or Survival. Additionally, you are able to commune with plant life to gleam information from them using a Nature skill check.
Plantskin
A Spriggan's skin is hardier than other races, and yet it does not hold up well against flame. You have +1 AC, but you have a weakness to Fire damage.Languages. Common, Ancient, and one additional language of your choice.
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