Daku (Da-Coo)

Daku
Deep within the shadows of the forest live the small and furtive Daku. They are often considered prey by the other creatures of the forest, particularly drakes, which are a natural predator of the small forest dwellers. Though many wrongfully consider the Daku closer to beast than man, they are in fact a clever and cunning people that have adapted for survival in an environment that happily devours the unwary. Small and hairy, with smudged faces and dark, wet noses, the Daku are known to some as Dog-Men, a somewhat disparaging nickname earned due to their extremely keen sense of smell.
Skittish Survivors The Daku survive by being wary, almost to the point of paranoia. This state of constant alertness may keep them alive, but it has also led them to become flighty and slow to trust. They are quick on their feet and even quicker to flee from danger. Natural selection has honed their senses, allowing them to avoid threats that might see the small creatures as prey. When pushed into a corner, however, these diminutive folk will fight for their survival with surprising fierceness.
The Nose Knows The most keen sense of the Daku is their extremely acute sense of smell. This helps them become aware of dangers before it is too late, allows them to avoid the territory of the more dangerous beasts of the wilds, and also helps in their search for food. Equally important, the Daku are able to detect the pheromones emitted by many creatures including the Daku themselves, which is important for their mating rituals and social interactions between themselves and other creatures.
Dwellers of the Forest Living among the trees, these small people have adapted quite well to their environment. Strong nails on their hands and feet help them climb to avoid predators, and their keen noses help them sniff out safe fruits and berries, insects, and mushrooms to eat. Though they are not hunters in general, it is not unknown for Daku in the wild to scavenge the kills of other creatures. While this makes them seem more beastly, the Daku are in fact intelligent creatures with complex social elements that often go unnoticed by those who encounter them.
Captive Curiousities The creatures known as Dog-Men are often captured, bought, and sold as slaves and curiosities among human societies. Many nobles are happy to have a Dog-Man as a hunting companion instead of a hound, and constables and guards will often procure them to sniff out and track down criminals. They are considered lesser than humans by some, but their natural cunning and survival instincts allow them to adapt to human society and their place within it should they find themselves in such a situation. There are some organizations dedicated to helping the plight of captured Daku, particularly the Songbirds, who actively work against slavery in all its forms.
Daku Names There is little distinction between male and females when it comes to names, and they are almost always only one syllable long, unless they are taken as slaves and given new ones. Daku use their keen sense of smell to know the nature of their own kind. Names. Jut, Bott, Ikk, Rud, Gepp, Toff, Nute, Dirrt, Huft, Chok, Natt, Opp.
Daku Traits

• Favoured Classes. Ranger and Rogue
• Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity increases by 2, and your Wisdom increases by 1.
• Age. Daku reach maturity in their early teens and generally live to be around 50 to 60 years old.
• Alignment. Daku generally tend towards good or neutral alignments.
• Size. Most Daku grow to be around 4 feet tall. Your size is small.
• Speed. Your base speed is 25 feet, and you have a climbing speed of 25 ft.
• Languages. You speak Daku, a language made of strange sounds and grunts as well as pheromones. You have some ability to speak and understand Tradetongue.
• Senses. You have Darkvision of 60 feet.
• Keen Nose. You have advantage on Perception checks relying on smell.
• Subtle Observance. You have advantage on Insight checks against humanoids.
• Quick Feet. Creatures have disadvantage on opportunity attacks against you.
• Innately Wary. You can add your proficiency bonus to your Initiative rolls.