Briarborn

Briarborne

Ability Score Increase +2 Wis, +1 Str

Size Medium

Speed 30ft

---

Briarborn Traits

All Briarborn are part of nature and have these traits in common.

Type:
You are a plant.
Ability Score Increase: Your Wisdom score increases by 2 and your Strength increases by 1.
Age: Briarborn reach maturity at around 30 years of age and can live well beyond 500 years.
Alignment: The Briarborn do not pursue evil endeavors however it's in their nature to be as untamed as the wilds from whence they sprouted. The Briarborn take on the traits of their Guardian, and its experiences and life is what guides their alignment choice. Should a Guardian have gone through a rough time during their sprouting a Briarborn may emerge more inclined to be aggressive.
Knowledge of the Forest: You are proficient in the the Nature Skill and have advantage on Nature Skill Checks.
Magic of the Wilds: You know the Druidcraft Cantrip. You may cast locate Animals or Plants an unlimited number of times with this trait, but may only use it to target plants. Starting at 3rd level, you can also cast Speak with Plants with this trait. Once you cast it, you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Undergrowth Adaptation: You are unaffected by difficult terrain, when in a natural setting, such as a forest, cave or swamp.

Languages. You can speak, read and write Common and Sylvan

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Briarborn often don't take proper names until later in life. They generally give themselves a name, though sometimes they accept a name given to them. The names often represent aspects of themselves, or something important to them.

Major Organizations

The closest things that Briarborn have to society are the young "saplings" that live among the roots of the Guardian Tree. Here the saplings are cared for by a few devoted Briarborn until they are ready to head out into the world. Guardian Trees are usually well kept secrets as there are only a few known to be in existence.

History

People of The Forest

The Briarborn are neither male nor female but sometimes adopt these traits when among humanoids to differentiate themselves and to appear more familiar to the other races. To themselves however, they are only Briarborn. Due to their plantlike bodies each Briarborn goes through cycles in its lifetime during which they pass on their pollen and become receptive to other's pollen which in turn aids in creating future generations. Unlike other races of Ovenica, the Briarborn do not raise their own youth, instead planting their seeds at the base of a Guardian Tree, or similarly large plant for protection and sustenance. The tree nurtures the seeds until sprouted and shares its water source, which shapes and colours the psychical characteristics of the sprouts. The result is a combination of the parents and guardian and leads to many different and exotic looking facades.
Their skin can appear as rough as tree bark or as soft as a succulent, with colourful leaves, branches or thorns adorning their heads in much the same way as hair. While they stand just as tall as humans on average, though they mature much slower and as a result live a great many years longer. When Briarborn reach maturity around 30 years of age, they leave the protection of their guardian and venture off into the world. Briarborn are technically immortal, though they can die from many different causes, a Briarborn who keeps themselves properly can live for thousands of year, choosing to wilt and die when they wish so that their soul can finally join the grove. While many uproot for adventure, the failing health of a guardian can also be a cause of moving on. Once a guardian is no longer able to provide for future sprouts, the Briarborn set out to find a suitable new guardian for their progeny.

Ancestry and Sap-lines

While every Briarborn is unique, those who originally sprouted by The Healer’s Tears are kept in higher regard. While there is no ruler or leader for the Briarborn due to their nomadic nature only those who carry the Tear as part of the sap line can lay their seeds at the base of the original Grandfather Tree and have right of first plot at guardians aboard. This ensures the line and will of The Healer will always carry on. When the elder finally wilts and passes on, the oldest progeny assumes that right. The uprooting of a Tear sprout is punishable by excommunication, and denial of passing on of one's own lineage.