Also known as hedgehogfolk, pokees are famous for their love of the finer things in life such as tasty beverages, warm socks, and the company of good friends. Certainly, they’re not the strongest, wisest, or fastest of the small humanoid races, but their presence is always felt and admired.
Sadly, there are not many pokees left in the world. The few that are around live just south of Ammathluir. Their celebratory and joyous nature resonates well with the halflings that hail from that side of Lurien.
On the odd ocassion that pokees do travel away from home or take on the mantle of the adventurer, it’s usually in the form of a traveling minstrel, healer, or even a sorcerer or warlock. Unimpressed with loot and treasures, Pokees delight more in the thrill of the adventure itself and the anecdotes each encounter offers.
Pokees are quite small, typically standing no more than 1-1 1/2 feet tall. Of course, their greatest defense is a strong back of spiky quills. When challenged, a pokee can curl itself into a ball to protect itself. Still, their greatest defense is found in their ability to make anyone who meets them laugh and smile–even the grumpiest dwarf.
Pokee Traits
Most pokees, including yours, share these characteristics.
Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 2, your Constitution score increases by 1, and your Strength score is reduced by 2.
Age. Pokees live relatively short lives. They reach adulthood at age 6 and only live 40 years or so.
Alignment. Pokees love life and love other living things, meaning they tend towards good. They have no real preference towards law or chaos, so most are neutral in that respect.
Size. Pokees are between 1 and 1 1/2 feet tall and weigh between 15 to 20 pounds. Your size is Tiny and you can share the same space as a Small or larger creature. You can’t use any weapon that weighs more than 2 pounds or has the heavy weapon property. Any weapon that weighs more than 1 pound is considered two-handed when you use it unless it has the light weapon property. And your thrown weapons have half the normal range. In addition, armor and shields cost 50% the normal price when you purchase them.
Darkvision. 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.
Likability. You have advantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks with all humanoids unless the creature is immune to being charmed.
Quills. Your back is covered in sharp quills. When you aren’t wearing armor, your AC is 11 + your Dexterity modifier. You can use your natural armor to determine your AC if the armor you wear would leave you with a lower AC. A shield’s benefits apply as normal while you use natural armor. When you take the Dodge action, any creature that touches you or hits you with a melee attack while within 5 feet of you takes 2 (1d4) piercing damage.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Halfling.
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Pokees will be included as a Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition entry in a new book I’m working on for DMsguild.com titled, simply, CR 1/8.
It will be available for free download and reading until the book is published (probably by the end of this week).
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