Homebrew:Gnarlborn

(OOC: This is an implementation of the gnarlborn race from The Crooked Moon)

Gnarlborn (NAR-ull-born) are a tree-like species native to Ardengloom, usually sprouting up from the soil of the twisted, dark forest. Their home is forever haunted by the souls of long-dead fey, which inhabit the enormous, face-bearing trees known as Elderwoods. These folk commune with these beings to receive primordial wisdom.

Resembling gnarled trees with glowing faces hollowed into the bark, their individual patterns of branches, moss, and lichen can result in a wide diversity of appearances. Most gnarlborn live for over 500 years, but those with the strongest connection to the Elderwoods have been said to live to be thousands of years old.

Variant: Humanoid creature types

Several of the species in The Crooked Moon are creature types other than Humanoid. These type differences reinforce the unusual nature of these species, but they also come with concerns that can make these species more powerful than others. Not being Humanoid makes a character immune to the charm person spell, for example. Conversely, it potentially makes them susceptible to other effects, such as the protection from evil and good spell. If the GM or players are uncomfortable with these deviations from standard species, changing the creature type to Humanoid solves the dilemma, while the species' other traits preserve their narrative.

Gnarlborn traits

As a gnarlborn, you have these special traits.

Ability Scores.

When you create a character using one of the species in The Crooked Moon, increase one of your starting ability scores by 2 and another by 1, or increase three scores by 1 each. These increases can't raise a score above 20.

Languages.

Your character can speak, read, and write Common and one other language that you an your GM agree is appropriate for the character.

Creature Type.

You are a Plant.

Size.

You are Medium (about 5-8 feet tall).

Speed.

Your walking speed is 30 feet.

Deep Roots.

You have advantage on ability checks and saving throws against being moved against your will or to avoid being knocked prone.

Elderwood Whispers.

You can draw on the memory of the Elderwood spirits. When you finish a long rest, you gain proficiency with a skill, a tool, or learn one language of your choice until you next finish a long rest.

Grasping Branches.

As a bonus action, you can magically unleash the binding power of the dark wood. Choose a Large or smaller creature within 30 feet of yourself. The creature must make a Strength saving throw (DC 8 plus your Constitution modifier and proficiency bonus). On a failed save, the target is restrained for 1 minute as branches appear and ensnare it. On a successful save, its speed is halved until the end of its next turn. A restrained creature repeats the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. The branches vanish when the condition ends.

Once you use this trait, you can't do so again until you finish a short or long rest.

Root Sense.

As a bonus action, you gain tremorsense with a range of 60 feet for 10 minutes. Once you use this trait, you can't do so again until you finish a short or long rest.

Towering Size.

You have advantage on any ability check you make to escape a grapple. You also count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity.