Hippo Folk

Hippo folk are large, humanoid creatures with gray to black skin, bulbous heads, snouts, and bodies, and short, thick arms and legs. Though some claim they must be related to the hippopotamus, their origin is a mystery. Because of this, people have come to call them hippo folk, including the hippo folk themselves.

Ancestral Traits

Your hippo folk character has several distinctive features due to this mysterious ancestry.

Age. Hippo folk mature at the same rate as humans but only live about 60 years.

Size. Hippo folk are about the same height as humans, though more stout, standing roughly 6 feet tall and weighing 4-500 lbs. Your size is Medium.

Speed. Your base speed is 30 feet and you have a swimming speed of 30 feet.

Hungry, Hungry. Hippo folk have large appetites and larger jaws. In fact, though they have only flat, herbivorous teeth, their bite can nevertheless crush bones easily. Your large mouth is a natural weapon with which you can make unarmed strikes. On a hit, you deal bludgeoning damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier.

Capacious Lungs. Perhaps due to a history of dwelling in semiaquatic environments, you can hold your breath for up to 15 minutes.

Leathery Hide. You thick skin is difficult to penetrate. When you aren’t wearing armor, your AC is 13 + your Dexterity modifier. You can use this score to determine your AC if worn armor would leave you with a lower score. You may benefit from a shield as normal.

Cultural Traits

Hippo folk culture is a study in contrasts. On the one hand, these communities thrive on invention, developing mechanical marvels and even utilizing gunpowder. On the other hand, they revel in delicate forms of music and dance known as ballet. Grizzled chemists and engineers, or the soldiers who wield their creations, gather regularly to gaze in awe and wonder at the latest performances by hippo folk ballerinas. For members of hippo folk culture, engineering, warfare, and ballet are all creative acts demanding the utmost focus, dedication, and sacrifice. As such, they revere them all.

Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 2 and your Intelligence by 1.

Alignment. Hippo folk communities are usually highly organized. Some are militaristic, others organized around engineering guilds, and still others around dance schools. In all three, strong leaders rules with a firm hand and countless underlings vie for their attention. As such, hippo folk culture tends to favor law.

Engineer’s Mind. Students in these communities widely study chemistry and engineering. You have proficiency with Alchemist’s Supplies and Tinker’s Tools. What’s more, you know the recipe to make gunpowder and the methods with which to make a flintlock weapon.

Light Footed. Everyone in hippo folk communities, hippo folk and non-hippo folk alike, is taught to dance from a young age. You have proficiency in the Acrobatics skill.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and one language of your choice.