Kalash'Khar

Insectoid Humanoids of Granheim: The Khash'kar The Khash'kar are a race of insectoid humanoids native to the harsh deserts of Granheim. Known for their hive-like tribal societies and highly structured social orders, each Khash'kar is born into a specific role that defines their contribution to the tribe. Their telepathic ability allows for near-instant communication among their kind, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose. They live in tight-knit tribes, referred to as "hives," where every member plays a critical role, from gathering resources to defending the hive.
The Khash'kar speak a unique language known as Ch'tarra, composed of clicks, buzzing, and other insect-like sounds. Their anatomy lacks traditional vocal cords, so while they can communicate telepathically with other races, they are unable to speak most humanoid languages vocally. Many Khash'kar learn to understand Common or other languages, but they rely on telepathy to converse with other species. Khash'kar Traits
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 1, reflecting your resilient, desert-adapted physiology.
Age. Khash'kar mature quickly, reaching adulthood by the age of 10, and typically live for about 60 years, although some subraces can live longer due to their robust nature.
Alignment. Khash'kar lean towards lawful alignments due to their strict social structures and roles within the hive. Individual members may vary, especially those who break away from their hive society.
Size. Khash'kar stand between 5 and 7 feet tall, with varying body types depending on their subrace. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Hive Telepathy. You can communicate telepathically with any creature you can see within 30 feet, provided it understands at least one language. This form of communication is limited to simple concepts and thoughts, rather than complex ideas.
Chitin Armor. Your tough, natural exoskeleton provides you with natural armor. When you aren't wearing armor, your AC is equal to 13 + your Dexterity modifier.
Desert Dwellers. You have advantage on saving throws against exhaustion caused by extreme heat, and you can survive twice as long as normal without food or water.
Languages. You can understand, speak, and telepathically communicate in Ch'tarra. You can also telepathically communicate in one additional language of your choice, but you cannot vocalize it.
Subraces: 1. Khash'kar, Ant-Kin (Hassk)
The Hassk, modeled after ants, are the industrious builders and warriors of the Khash'kar hives. They are known for their strength and ability to work cohesively in groups, tirelessly toiling for the survival of the hive.
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 2.
Burrowing Speed. You gain a burrowing speed of 15 feet, allowing you to move through loose dirt or sand with ease.
Hive Instincts. You can take the Help action as a bonus action on your turn.
Endless Worker. When you are reduced to 0 hit points but not killed outright, you can drop to 1 hit point instead. You can use this feature once per long rest.
Resilient to Poison. You have advantage on saving throws against poison, and you have resistance to poison damage.
2. Khash'kar, Beetle-Kin (Dren)
The Dren, based on beetles, are the stout defenders and guards of the Khash'kar. They serve as powerful tanks on the battlefield, able to take immense punishment while protecting the hive with their bulk and natural resilience.
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 2.
Burrowing Speed. You gain a burrowing speed of 15 feet.
Hardened Shell. Your natural armor increases to 14 + your Dexterity modifier (maximum of 2), and when you take the Dodge action, your shell hardens, giving you resistance to nonmagical damage until the start of your next turn.
Unyielding Defense. When you are hit by an attack that you can see, you can use your reaction to impose disadvantage on the attack roll. You can use this feature once per short or long rest.
Heavy Labor. You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.
3. Khash'kar, Tarantula Hawk-Kin (Ixan)
The Ixan are swift, predatory hunters modeled after tarantula hawks, fearsome desert wasps. Agile and deadly, these Khash'kar are the enforcers and hunters of the hive, gifted with wings and a venomous sting.
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2.
Flight. You gain a flying speed of 30 feet. You cannot fly while wearing medium or heavy armor.
Venomous Sting. As a bonus action, you can make a special melee attack with your stinger. If the attack hits, the target takes 1d6 + your Dexterity modifier in piercing damage, and the target must make a Constitution saving throw (DC = 8 + your Constitution modifier + your proficiency bonus) or be paralyzed until the end of your next turn. You can use this feature once per short or long rest.
Desert Agility. You can take the Dash action as a bonus action, and you have proficiency in the Acrobatics skill.
Cultural Overview of the Khash'kar
The Khash'kar are a people bound by their tribal hive structures. Each subrace takes on a specific role in the hive: the Hassk (Ant-Kin) are builders and laborers, maintaining the hive's infrastructure and ensuring its day-to-day functioning; the Dren (Beetle-Kin) act as the hive's protectors and soldiers, standing at the forefront of any conflict or defense; and the Ixan (Tarantula Hawk-Kin) serve as hunters and enforcers, seeking out threats to the hive and ensuring no enemy goes unpunished.
Each hive is ruled by a queen, a spiritual and sometimes physical leader who serves as the focal point of Khash'kar society. Though not all hives are ruled by a singular queen, those that are tend to be more hierarchical, with every member knowing their place and duty. Hives without queens are often more democratic, with decisions made through collective telepathic consensus.
The Khash'kar worship the Great Weaver, an ancient entity believed to have spun the desert and the first hives from her own essence. Their culture places a strong emphasis on unity, duty, and survival.
These insectoid people are a strange and unique addition to the desert of Granheim, both feared and respected for their unity, efficiency, and deadly prowess in battle.