Boggard

Two green-skinned figures sit, comfortably balanced on the roots of a big tree. As they laugh, the twinkling lights of fireflies dance around them, changing colors and patterns, sharing their expression.
On a busy street corner, a sodden figure approaches, dark moist moist and dripping. FLashing a grin too wide for their green faces, they offer you a mystery meat snack from a basket on their head. A nimble creature bends over to sniff at a moss, it's ears twitching, always watchful. It doesn't notice the fireflies dancing in, zipping around, and changing color. Suddenly, three figures burst out from the marsh, spears at the ready - the beast never stood a chance.

Basic Information

Biological Traits

Boggards are tall, lanky creatures who have adapted masterfully to living in swamplands and mangroves.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Boggards subside on a mostly vegetarian diet derived from the surrounding bog flora since hunting is a rather difficult and often fruitless affair.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Unable to abide by - or care about - the intricate law systems that tend to come with civilization, most boggards are happy staying where they are; in the swamp, with their family.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

The Soddenweald

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

A boggard has two names: one in common, and a tornim - a complex pattern of firefly-flights in their soggin language, the common name is the one generally used, and will usually have some version of it they use in soggin, a tornim is earned when a boggard masters the soggin language, using intricate moving patterns of illusory fireflies, knowing a boggards tornim is a great privilege, and is only given as a sign of familial trust, tornims are otherwise reserved for official gatherings, cultural rituals, or when your mum really really means it this time.

Example Boggard Names

Glib, Hergh, Gels, Toor, Gols, Ulsu, Holl, Sue, Burgug, Murk, I Tar, Sloop, Mug, Ressel, Wulp, Glurf, Tor, Ulper, Hoog, Olp, Supper, Lars, Hein, Puuk, Heggar, Ruuh, Neef, Sul, Oper, Clush, Ess, Yolk, Innee, Aag, Herk, Leen, Eek, Murkle, Hoof, Vool, Wren, Yeet, Zeem

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Boggin.

History

Boggards have been around since before humans empires spread over the world, and they're still here now that they've gone.

Common Myths and Legends

Giant monster turtles with stony shells lay in wait between the trees thick roots, invisible in the murky swamp, ready to snap at anything above at the slightest disturbance. Boggards both respect and fear these giant turtles, believing them to be descendants of a nature spirit called Tor, who they worship like a God.

Lifespan

80 years

Average Height

6'0"

Average Weight

175 lbs.

Average Physique

Tall and lanky.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Gummy perpetually moist skin which ranges in pigment from almost-human-"pink" to dark olive

Boggard

Ability Score Increase Your Wisdom (WIS) score is increased by 2 and your Dexterity (DEX) score is increased by 1.

Size Medium

Speed Your base walking speed is 30 ft or 6 squares.

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Boggard characters have several special traits gained from generations of living in swamps:

Swamp Dweller

Being wet for long periods of time does not cause you any discomfort. You have a swimming speed equal to your walking speed. In swamplands, difficult terrain does not cause you to move slower.

Slippery

Your skeleton is flexible, and your skin produces mucus that keeps it moist and slippery at all times. If you can fit your head through a hole, the rest of your body can follow.
You can attempt to escape from a grapple as a bonus action. In addition, you have Advantage on dexterity saving throws.

Fireflies

Boggards use their innate magic to produce illusory fireflies, required to communicate in their Boggin language.
As a Boggard becomes more experienced with this custom, they learn to manifest increasingly complex patterns. As you gain levels, you learn to use your fireflies trait to produce the effect of various spells, as shown in the Fireflies Spell Table. Spells cast using fireflies require no material components or spell slots, and the Spell Save DC for spells cast this way is 8 + your Proficiency Bonus + your Charisma (CHA) Modifier. You must complete a Long Rest before you can use this feature again, except to cast Dancing Lights.

Languages. You speak Common, and know Boggin: a visual language communicated through illusory fireflies.

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CHARACTER LEVEL	FIREFLY SPELL TYPE	RULES ORIGIN
1	Dancing Lights	Player's Handbook
2	Faerie Fire	Player's Handbook
5	Hypnotic Pattern	Player's Handbook