Thri-Kreen

The Thri-Kreen of Gothenya are said to be, along with humans, amongst the first (original) sentient (humanoid) race on the planet. They resemble bipedal mantis-men, with four arms and two legs. Their heads are quite alien in nature, and directly resemble those of a praying mantis. A thri-kreen's body is divided into three distinct segments, each housing vital organs.
The thri-kreen's head houses the brain and most of the sensory organs, including the eyes and the antennae. The head is also the location of the thri-kreen's mouth, which gives access to the insect’s breathing, digestive, and vocal systems. The thorax is the segment to which the thri-kreen's limbs are attached; it also houses most of the internal organs. A thri-kreen's abdomen, like the rest of the body, is protected by segments of chitin; these look something like bands circling the thri-kreen's abdomen at intervals. The thri-kreen's abdomen holds digestive and repro- ductive organs, as well as the glands that produce pheromones.
They are tribal wanderers, and the basic family unit is called a clutch. Several clutches will band together to create a tribe. These tribes constantly relocate, looking for new sources of food and shelter.
As one of the most "alien" species known to Gothenkind, the thri-kreen have a difficult time integrating into "normal" society, and tend to keep to themselves. Those who do seek out other races for companionship tend to "adopt" their non-kreen friends and allies as clutch-mates.
Thri-kreen adventurers are fairly common, but they rarely adventure alone. They can typically be found in clutches or in adoptive clutches consisting of various humanoid types. They, as a species, are particularly open minded and do not understand the concept of racism. This being said, they do have to curb their base instincts, for early kreen had a strong taste for elvish flesh. As such, elves still have a hard time trusting the kreen.

Your Thri-Kreen character has the following racial traits:

Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 2, your Constitution score increases by 1.
Age. Most thri-kreen only live to fifty years at most, but they are fully mature by the age of five or six and their reduced need for rest ensures they live the years they have to the fullest.
Alignment. Thri-kreen have virtually no social structure other than the clutches they form with their families and closest allies. The notion of sophisticated rules for social behavior is foreign to them. They are almost always chaotic in alignment, and often neutral with respect to good and evil.
Size. Different breeds of thri-kreen possess different builds, from little bigger than dwarves to taller than most men. However, none are as tall as trolls or ogres, or as short as halflings. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Exoskeleton. When you aren't wearing armor, your AC equals 13 + your Dexterity modifier.
Multiple Limbs. You have an additional set of smaller arms. You may interact with an additional object or feature of the environment for free during your turn. You can carry an additional weapon using both your arms, though weapons wielded in this way do not gain the benefits of the Versatile weapon quality, and weapons with the Heavy quality impose disadvantage on any attack rolls made with them when used in this way, as though you were a Small creature. However, if the weapon has the Light quality, you may use only one arm to wield it, and may carry two such weapons at once. You cannot use these extra arms to initiate grapples or wear shields. These hands can be used for other tasks, such as opening doors, carrying torches, using tools, or performing the somatic components of spells, without difficulty when they are not holding weapons.
Torpor. You enter a torpid state instead of sleeping, during which you remain fully aware of their surroundings. You are fully rested after only four hours of torpor. You are immune to any magic that would put you to sleep.
Leap. Your long jump is 30 ft. and your high jump is 15 ft. You don't need a running start to make these jumps.
Natural Athlete. You are proficient in athletics, if another feature gives you proficiency in athletics you can add twice your proficiency bonus.
Darkvision. You have darkvision out to a range of 60 ft.
Languages. Because of the alien nature of their mandibles, thri-kreen can only speak their own language. They can, however, understand and write Common and up to one additional language.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The thri-kreen have three-segmented bodies and four arms.

Genetics and Reproduction

They reproduce through the incubation of eggs laid by the females.

Growth Rate & Stages

Thri-kreen stand fully grown by age five.

Ecology and Habitats

Thri-Kreen, depending on heritage, thrive in both tropical and desert environs.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Omnivores with carnivorous tendencies.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Darkvision, 60 feet

Sometimes, a thri-kreen leaves the clutch. This can happen for various reasons; perhaps the rest of the clutch is killed in battle, or maybe the thri-kreen has gone off to find better hunting grounds. Or perhaps the thri-kreen simply has wanderlust that encourages a journey beyond the lands normally traversed by the clutch. Whatever the reason, a thri-kreen sometimes goes off alone, in effect becoming a “clutch of one.” However, a thri-kreen cannot go long without a clutch of some kind; the thri-kreen is biologically impelled to be part of a group. Thus, lone thri-kreen easily accept members of other races as people, packmates, and even clutchmates, often based on something as simple as facing danger together. It is also important for a thri-kreen to know his or her place, leading to an establishment, at least in the thri-kreen’s mind, of a dominance order within the group.

Genetic Descendants

• Undead
• Vess'ka

Related Myths

• A Timeline of Gothenya
• Creation Myth