Cordyceps (Cordies) | New Playable Race for Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition

The world of Wandrossa continues to expand. With each request that Patrons put in, the lore and flavor of the world are altered. And those that are in on the “ground floor” really get a hand in developing this unique campaign setting.

Case in point:

Hi Dave!

New Patron so I hope I’m doing this right!

Race Request: Cordycep I was thinking may be something along the lines of a mutated version of Ophiocordyceps unilateralis which is what the “zombies” in the last of us were based off of. I imagine maybe some druid or other magic user was experimenting on humanoids with the fungus trying to create his own army. His experiment did not go quite as planned and the personality of the original host remained, but memories lost.

They ended up revolting against their master as they did not ask for this. No longer bound by their master they wander the world.

Most are shunned as they [are] essentially seen as abominations and parasites, though the latter is not completely wrong.

This will be an interesting addition, no doubt, joining the traditional races found in Fifth Edition along with the medusas that were recently created.

 

Cordycep Subrace and Template

To create a cordycep, you first select a race as normal. If the race allows you to select a subrace, instead select the cordycep subrace option. If the race does not allow you to select a subrace, select the cordycep template option.

Cordyceps (Subrace)

As a cordycep, your body has been possessed by a magical, invasive fungus that grants you special abilities.

Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 1.

Rapport Spores. As an action, you can make a 10-foot radius of spores extend from you. These spores can go around corners and affect only creatures with an Intelligence of 5 or higher that aren’t undead, constructs, or elementals. Affected creatures can communicate telepathically with one another while they are within 30 feet of each other. The effect lasts 1 minute. You can’t use this feature again until you finish a long rest.

Relentless Endurance. When you are reduced to 0 hit points but not killed outright, you can drop to 1 hit point instead. You can’t use this feature again until you finish a long rest.

 

Cordycep (Template)

In addition to the traits granted by your race, you gain the following features:

Rapport Spores. As an action, you can make a 10-foot radius of spores extend from you. These spores can go around corners and affect only creatures with an Intelligence of 5 or higher that aren’t undead, constructs, or elementals. Affected creatures can communicate telepathically with one another while they are within 30 feet of each other. The effect lasts 1 minute. You can’t use this feature again until you finish a long rest.

Relentless Endurance. When you are reduced to 0 hit points but not killed outright, you can drop to 1 hit point instead. You can’t use this feature again until you finish a long rest.

 

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