Root [5E]

[JNAProductions]

Root is a really cool board game. I'd highly recommend checking it out! And today, Imma be taking the story and setting of Root and making it into a 5E setting!

Spoiler: The Factions

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The Factions

The Marquise De Cat
The ruling faction of the Root forest. Having driven the Eyrie Dynasties to a small corner of the woods, they conquered the forest and began setting up industry. While viewed by many as evil, the believers of the Marquise say they're merely helping bring order and wealth to the forest.

The Eyrie Dynasties
The birds who used to rule the forest. Having a long and storied history, the Dynasties are a firm believer in their own superiority-to the point that their squabbling amongst themselves prevented them from properly defending against the Marquise.

The Woodland Alliance
The quiet, underground alliance of disenfranchised woodland critters. They didn't like being ruled by the Eyrie, and the Cats are no better. They want to free the common people of the forest, and are willing to go to great lengths to see it done.

The Riverfolk Company
Capitalists extraordinaire, the Riverfolk have come from the river that winds its way down the forest. They're not here for the common folk, nor the ancient dynasties, nor the ruling cats. They're here for money, and are willing to sell their services to the highest bidder, no matter what is asked of them.

The Lizard Cult
The dragon-worshipping lizards of the forest. They spread their creed far and wide, planting gardens to honor their dragon-god.

Spoiler: Player Options

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Player Options
Players will usually play the part of Vagabonds-those who don't really fit into any of the factions, but are more than the common folk. Sometimes, they're from out of this neck of the woods-other times, they're natives with a spark of something more. Players have the following races available:

Spoiler: Cat

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Cat

Ability Score Increase
Your Dexterity and Intelligence each increase by 1.

Size
You stand about the same height as your other woodland friends. Your size is Medium.

Speed
You're quite fleet of foot. Your base speed is 35', and you have a climbing speed of 25'.

Low-Light Vision
The perfect night hunter, you treat light radii as if they were double what they actually are.

Tool Proficiency
You gain proficiency in any one artisan tool.

Languages
You know Forest Gutterspeech, Forest Highspeech, and Feline.

Subraces

Leader
Ability Score Increase-Your Charisma increases by 1.
Commander-You may, once per short or long rest, spur an ally as a bonus action. Pick an ally within 60' that can perceive you, and they may use their reaction to move their speed or make a single attack.
Lead From The Back-You may Disengage as a bonus action.

Worker
Ability Score Increase-Your Constitution increases by 1.
Hale And Hearty-Your HP increases by 1 at every level.

Spoiler: Bird

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Bird

Ability Score Increase
Your Wisdom and Charisma each increase by 1.

Size
While a little smaller than most, you're not THAT much smaller. Your size is Medium.

Speed
Slow of foot, but fast of wing! You have a 20' move speed, but may fly at 45'. To fly, you cannot wear armor unless your Strength score is high enough. To wear light armor and fly requires Strength of 13 or higher. Medium, 15 or higher. And Heavy, 17 or higher.

Well-Learned
You gain proficiency in any one skill of your choice.

Languages
You know Forest Highspeech, Avian, and any one other language of your choice.

Subraces

Perfectionist
Ability Score Improvement-Any one ability score of your choice increases by 1.
Skill Perfection-You gain Expertise in any one skill you are already proficient in.

Warrior
Ability Score Improvement-Your Strength and Dexterity each increase by 1.
Martial Training-You gain proficiency in all weapons.

Scholar
Ability Score Improvement-Your Intelligence increases by 2.
Scholarly Duties-You gain proficiency in any two from Arcana, History, Nature, and Religion.

Spoiler: Fox

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Fox

Ability Score Increase
Your Strength and Dexterity each increase by 1, and your Intelligence increases by 2.

Size
You're big, for the forest. Your size remains Medium, though.

Speed
You're not faster than anyone else, except for the slow birds. Your speed is 30'.

Cunning Of The Fox
You gain advantage on Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saves made against magic.

Brutal Natural Weapons
Your unarmed strikes may deal 1d6 slashing damage, instead of the usual 1 bludgeoning.

Keen Nose
You have advantage on Perception checks relating to scent.

Languages
You know Forest Gutterspeech, and any two other languages.

Spoiler: Hare

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Hare

Ability Score Increase
Your Dexterity increases by 2, and your Constitution increases by 1.

Size
You're not the largest-not the smallest either, but quite a distance away from being the biggest. Your size is Small.

Speed
You're zippy! You have a move speed of 40'.

Hare's Leap
You do not need a running start to jump your full distance, and may jump a distance equal to a number of feet that totals your Strength and Dexterity scores.

Skittish
You may Dash or Disengage as a bonus action.

Nimble
You gain proficiency in Acrobatics and Stealth.

Languages
You know Forest Gutterspeech and any one other language.

Spoiler: Mouse

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Mouse

Ability Score Increase
Your Dexterity, Wisdom, and Charisma each increase by 1.

Size
You're a small, adorable mouse. Your size is Small.

Speed
You're not slow, but not fast. Your speed is 30'.

Easy To Miss
You may hide when obscured by any creature larger than you, and may move through the spaces of creatures only one size larger without difficulty.

Brave At Heart
You gain advantage on saves against becoming Frightened.

Sneaky
You're proficient in the Stealth skill.

Languages
You know Forest Gutterspeech and one other language of your choice.

Spoiler: Lizard

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Lizard

Ability Score Increase
Your Wisdom and Constitution each increase by 1.

Size
You stand slouched, but not small. Your size is Medium.

Speed
While sedentary by nature, you can put on great bursts of speed when needed. Your speed is 25', but you may Dash without spending an action (but no more than once per turn) by spending a hit die.

Tough
Your HP increases by 1 each level.

Scaly Skin
Your AC improves by 1.

Languages
You know Forest Gutterspeech and Lizard.

Subraces

Inductee
Ability Score Increase-Your Charisma increases by 1.
Languages-You know Draconic in addition to your other languages.
Rituals-You know any 1st level ritual spell, and may cast it as a ritual. You also know any one cantrip. Charisma is your casting stat for these spells.

Outcast
Ability Score Increase-Your Intelligence increases by 1.
Resist-You may, once per short or long rest, gain advantage on a save before you roll without spending an action.
Sneaky-You gain proficiency in either Stealth or Deception.

Spoiler: Riverfolk

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Riverfolk

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

Size
You're a big boy! But your size is still Medium.

Speed
You're not swift on land, but nimble in the water. Your speed is 30', with a swim speed of 50'.

Great Lungs
You may hold your breath for ten minutes per point of Constitution bonus, to a minimum of five minutes.

Knack
You know the Guidance cantrip.

Thick Blubbery Skin
You have resistance to cold and fire damage, and have advantage on saves against temperature-based ills (such as enduring a harsh blizzard or scorching sun).

Languages
You know Forest Highspeech, Forest Gutterspeech, and Rivertalk.

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This is still a WIP! I'd like to reserve two more posts, but once that's done, please critique!

[JNAProductions]

Reserved post #1

[JNAProductions]

Reserved post #2

[ReaderAt2046]

So how will backgrounds and classes work? Will all classes and backgrounds be available for all factions, or will there tend to be certain classes and backgrounds associated with certain factions? (Rangers and druids are most common among the Alliance, Battlemaster Fighters are probably Eyrie or Cat, etc?)

Alternately, perhaps you could create backgrounds for the different factions, to represent which faction you were raised with.