Ratfolk

The Ratfolk are a small, agile, and cunning race that thrives in the underbellies of bustling cities and grimy townships. Resembling humanoid rats, they are known for their quick wits, resourcefulness, and tight-knit communities. Often misunderstood and underestimated due to their diminutive size and rodent-like features, Ratfolk have adapted to survive in environments where they can blend into the shadows and navigate through labyrinthine underground passages. Their affinity for the hidden and overlooked makes them natural allies to the world of piracy, where their unique skills can shine.

Habitat

Preferring the dark and hidden corners of urban environments, Ratfolk establish their homes in the labyrinths of sewers, old warehouses, and abandoned structures within city limits. These environments provide ample cover and resources, granting them easy access to unsuspecting victims or treasures. Ratfolk warrens are intricate networks full of traps and hidden passages, making them difficult for intruders to navigate. Their natural inclination towards stealth and evasion is perfectly suited to these environments, allowing them to thrive away from prying eyes.

Physical Traits

Ratfolk possess inherent stealth and agility, making them exceptional at ambush and escape. Their keen senses allow them to navigate through dark and cramped spaces with ease. Ratfolk are also known for their resourcefulness, often repurposing discarded items into useful tools and weapons.

Their small size and quick reflexes make them difficult targets in combat, and their natural cunning allows them to outwit larger and stronger opponents.

Despite their many strengths, the small size of a Ratfolk can also be a disadvantage in direct confrontations, where brute force is required.

Society and Culture

Ratfolk society is highly communal, with a strong emphasis on family and clan ties. Their warrens are intricate networks of tunnels and chambers, where each member has a role to play in the survival of the community. Despite their reputation as scavengers, Ratfolk are industrious and inventive, often repurposing discarded items into useful tools and weapons. Their ability to find value in the overlooked and forgotten makes them skilled traders and negotiators. In the world of piracy, Ratfolk often form tight-knit crews, where trust and loyalty are fiercely protected.

Clan Dynamics

Clan dynamics among Ratfolk are intricate and subtle, with power often shifting quietly and alliances formed and broken with whispers in the dark. Intrigue and manipulation are common, as each member may vie for more influence and control within the group. While conflict is inevitable, overt aggression within the clan is frowned upon, as it goes against the Ratfolk’s nature. Resolution of disputes often involves tests of cunning, with the victor earning respect and the loser slinking away to plot another day.

Ratfolk as Pirates

Many Ratfolk find a natural calling in the life of a pirate. Their innate stealth, cunning, and resourcefulness make them formidable on the high seas. Known for their ability to infiltrate enemy ships, disable their cannons or helms, and disappear into the shadows, Ratfolk can exploit spaces inaccessible to larger races, making them invaluable crew members. The lure of freedom, wealth, and adventure drives many Ratfolk to piracy, escaping the harsh conditions of their underground homes.

Ratfolk excel in various roles on a pirate ship. As scouts and spies, they gather intelligence or sabotage enemy vessels. Their keen senses make them excellent lookouts, spotting dangers early. In combat, Ratfolk prefer hit-and-run tactics, using their agility to avoid direct confrontation while causing maximum disruption. They are masters of infiltration, slipping past guards and disabling key components of enemy ships.

Driven by a love for treasure, Ratfolk pirates are enthusiastic treasure hunters. Their small size and dexterity help them search for hidden compartments and secret caches, making them valuable assets during raids. Their ability to navigate through treacherous waters, honed in underground tunnels, makes them exceptional navigators, guiding ships safely through complex routes.

Ratfolk pirates form close-knit communities aboard their ships, fostering strong bonds of loyalty and trust. This sense of community helps them work together seamlessly, coordinating their efforts and supporting each other. Despite the chaotic life of a pirate, Ratfolk crews maintain order and cooperation.

Ratfolk Traits

Ratfolk are nimble and cunning, embodying the essence of their rodent counterparts while possessing the intellect of humanoids. They thrive in environments where stealth and resourcefulness are key to survival. While playing as a Ratfolk, you gain the following racial traits:

• Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Intelligence score increases by 1.
• Age. Ratfolk reach maturity by age 12 and can live up to 60 years.
• Alignment. Ratfolk tend towards chaotic alignments, valuing personal freedom and ingenuity over strict adherence to laws.
• Size. Ratfolk are small creatures, standing between 3 to 4 feet tall and weighing around 40 to 60 pounds. Your size is Small.
• Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
• Senses. Darkvision. Accustomed to life underground, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
• Keen Smell. You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
• Nimble Escape. You can take the Disengage or Hide action as a bonus action on each of your turns.
• Scavenger. You have advantage on Intelligence (Investigation) checks to find hidden or lost items.
• Tunnel Navigation. You have advantage on Dexterity (Acrobatics) checks made to move through tight spaces.
• Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Ratfolk. Ratfolk is a language that consists of high-pitched squeaks and chitters, often unintelligible to those not fluent in it.
• Subtle Step. You are proficient in the Stealth skill and can attempt to hide even when you are only lightly obscured.
• Ratfolk Resilience. You have advantage on saving throws against being poisoned.
• Climbing Claws. You have a climbing speed of 20 feet.