“My father told me he was in a boat out on the lake with two or three men from Gort, and one of them had an eel-spear, and he thrust it into the water, and it hit something, and the man fainted and they had to carry him out of the boat to land.”
-William Butler Yeats, The Celtic Twilight
This material is still in the process of being playtested. It is fully usable as written, but may be refined or changed in later versions. As always, this content should only be used with GM permission.
Superstitious villagers claim that in the cold, misty highlands, especially near deep lakes, there are fairy mounds where strange beings live. They are almost correct. Dwelling within these burrows are the easóga an-mhór (pronounced “ee-soh-ga ahn-wohr,” singular: easóg an-mhór, pronounced “ee-sogh ahn-wohr”), a species of short, furry folk with features curiously similar to stoats, badgers, and otters. They are not actually fairies, but they do not mind the legends and folklore that discourage raiders from risking the fog of their homeland. From time to time, individuals or groups of these mustelid folk strike out in search of riches or a quest by which to make a name for themselves.
It is said that the easóga an-mhór were created by an archfey who was very fond of mustelids but desired intelligent company. Rather than seeking out other fey, it decided to transform some of the animals it cared for into humanoid companions. The first were created from badgers, but given upright bodies and hands and intellects capable of using tools skillfully. The archfey was pleased with them, but wanted a wider variety of conversation, so it created people out of otters, then again created more out of various martens, weasels, polecats, and ermines.
The mustelid folk have not forgotten that they are creatures of the wild as much as they are people, and take steps to remain in tune with their environment. They build their homes under the ground both to stay in touch with their heritage as well as not to blight the land with large structures. In regards to religion, they follow druidic sects and deities linked with the fey almost exclusively. They do mine for metals and precious resources, but the entrances to such mines are hidden within their burrows and they never dig so greedily that they would undermine the stone around them, preferring instead to range further for new places to settle and dig.
Each mustelid folk goes by a personal name and a title. The most common type of title is one claiming ancestry, which takes the form of “Mac” followed by the name of the most recent clan chieftain in their lineage (for example: Mac Muirne). Other titles are assigned based on notable traits of the individual.
Feminine Names: Banba, Cethlenn, Clothru, Deichtine, Eithne, Ernmas, Etar, Findabair, Fódla, Maeve, Muirne, Niamh (Prounounced: nieve), Plúr, Saba, Tailtiu
Masculine Names: Bres, Cíocal, Conaire, Elatha, Fiacha, Genann, Irial, Lir, Morc, Nemeadh, Orba Rudraige, Sláine, Starn, Tethra, Tuan
Titles: Airgetlám (“Silver Handed”), Beag (“Small”), Cathasach (“Vigilant”), Doireann (“Sullen”), Donn (pronounced: dun, “Brown”), Foltchaín, (“Beautiful Hair”), Cromm (“Crooked”), Dubh (pronounced: doov, “Dark”), Fionn (“White”), Gruama (“Gloomy”), Ildánach (“Skilled in Many Arts”), Liath (“Grey”), Luathlám ar Claideb, (“Swift Sword Hand”), Óg (“Young”), Sriabh-nDearg (pronounced: shreev-n-jarg, “Red-Striped”), Tuirbe Trágmar (“Thrower of Axes”)
Your mustelid folk character has several traits from their animal-like nature.
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 1.
Age. Mustelid folk reach maturity by age 15 and live to be about 80 years old.
Alignment. Their wild origins and their freedom-loving creator have instilled within the mustelid folk a dislike for too-strict laws, preferring a personal communion with nature. This leads them to favor neutral or chaotic alignments. The archfey that made them also instilled within them a slight tendency towards good as well.
Size. The different types of mustelid folk differ in size and weight. Some are roughly the same size and build as dwarves, while the others are taller and more slender, but still usually no more than 5 feet in height. Regardless, your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
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.
Pelt. You have resistance to cold damage.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Sylvan.
Subrace. Easóga an-mhór come in multiple forms, depending on what type of mustelid their ancestors were created from. Choose one of these subraces.
The bruic sidhe (pronounced: brew-ick shee; singular: broc sidhe, pronounced: brock shee) resemble something like a cross between an extremely large badger and a dwarf. A skilled broc sidhe warrior is easily the match for any orc or hobgoblin that might try to invade their land.
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 2.
Claws. Your claws are natural weapons which you can use to make unarmed strikes. With a hit, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier.
Toughness. Your hit point maximum increases by 1, and it increases by 1 every time you gain a level.
The dobhar-choin (pronounced doh-ghar chin; singular: dobhar-chú, pronounced: doh-ghar choo) resemble five foot tall, humanoid otters. The elite of the dobhar-chú scouts and rangers are known as the Water Hounds for their skill at the hunt.
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2.
Bite. Your bite is a natural weapon which you can use to make unarmed strikes. With a hit, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier.
Hold Breath. You can hold your breath for 15 minutes.
Student of Nature. You gain proficiency in the Nature skill.
Swim. You have a swimming speed of 30 feet.
The togháin sidhe (pronounced: toe-ghain shee; singular: toghán sidhe, pronounced; toe-gahn shee) have a wider diversity of appearance than their other cousins, ranging from stoats to ferrets to minks. If a party of mustelid folk is in search of treasure, it is almost assured that a cheerful toghán sidhe is in the lead of it.
Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 2.
Deft. You gain proficiency in the Sleight of Hand skill.
Spot Shinies. You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) or Intelligence (Investigation) check to spot coins, gems, jewelry, and other small shiny objects.
| Subrace | Base Height | Base Weight | Height Modifier | Weight Modifier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broc Sidhe | 4’ | 190 lbs | +2d4 | x(2d6) |
| Dobhar-chú | 4’4″ | 60 lbs | +2d4 | x(1d6) |
| Toghán Sidhe | 4’4″ | 50 lbs | +2d6 | x(1d6) |
The brothers Goibniu, Credne, and Luchta are archfey craftsmen of incredible skill. You have studied their arts and gain the following benefits:
NOTICE OF OPEN GAME CONTENT
This product includes Open Game Content that may only be used under and in terms of the Open Game License Version 1.0a
DESIGNATION OF PRODUCT IDENTITY
Product Identity in this document designated in accordance with section 1(e) of the Open Game License, version 1.0a includes but is not limited to: Any and all Malachite Idol logos and identifying marks and trade dress, including all Malachite Idol product and product line names including but not limited to Malachite Idol Presents, all Malachite Idol logos, and all artwork, logos, symbols, designs, depictions, illustrations, maps and cartography, likenesses, and poses. Designated Product Identity is not Open Game Content.
DESIGNATION OF OPEN GAME CONTENT
All material in this document following the Playtest Version sidebar and prior to the Legal Appendix that is not otherwise designated as Product Identity is Open Game Content.
LICENSE
OPEN GAME LICENSE Version 1.0a
The following text is the property of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. and is Copyright 2000 Wizards of the Coast, Inc (“Wizards”). All Rights Reserved. 1. Definitions: (a)”Contributors” means the copyright and/or trademark owners who have contributed Open Game Content; (b)”Derivative Material” means copyrighted material including derivative works and translations (including into other computer languages), potation, modification, correction, addition, extension, upgrade, improvement, compilation, abridgment or other form in which an existing work may be recast, transformed or adapted; (c) “Distribute” means to reproduce, license, rent, lease, sell, broadcast, publicly display, transmit or otherwise distribute; (d)”Open Game Content” means the game mechanic and includes the methods, procedures, processes and routines to the extent such content does not embody the Product Identity and is an enhancement over the prior art and any additional content clearly identified as Open Game Content by the Contributor, and means any work covered by this License, including translations and derivative works under copyright law, but specifically excludes Product Identity. (e) “Product Identity” means product and product line names, logos and identifying marks including trade dress; artifacts; creatures characters; stories, storylines, plots, thematic elements, dialogue, incidents, language, artwork, symbols, designs, depictions, likenesses, formats, poses, concepts, themes and graphic, photographic and other visual or audio representations; names and descriptions of characters, spells, enchantments, personalities, teams, personas, likenesses and special abilities; places, locations, environments, creatures, equipment, magical or supernatural abilities or effects, logos, symbols, or graphic designs; and any other trademark or registered trademark clearly identified as Product identity by the owner of the Product Identity, and which specifically excludes the Open Game Content; (f) “Trademark” means the logos, names, mark, sign, motto, designs that are used by a Contributor to identify itself or its products or the associated products contributed to the Open Game License by the Contributor (g) “Use”, “Used” or “Using” means to use, Distribute, copy, edit, format, modify, translate and otherwise create Derivative Material of Open Game Content. (h) “You” or “Your” means the licensee in terms of this agreement.
2. The License: This License applies to any Open Game Content that contains a notice indicating that the Open Game Content may only be Used under and in terms of this License. You must affix such a notice to any Open Game Content that you Use. No terms may be added to or subtracted from this License except as described by the License itself. No other terms or conditions may be applied to any Open Game Content distributed using this License.
3.Offer and Acceptance: By Using the Open Game Content You indicate Your acceptance of the terms of this License.
4. Grant and Consideration: In consideration for agreeing to use this License, the Contributors grant You a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free, nonexclusive license with the exact terms of this License to Use, the Open Game Content.
5.Representation of Authority to Contribute: If You are contributing original material as Open Game Content, You represent that Your Contributions are Your original creation and/or You have sufficient rights to grant the rights conveyed by this License.
6.Notice of License Copyright: You must update the COPYRIGHT NOTICE portion of this License to include the exact text of the COPYRIGHT NOTICE of any Open Game Content You are copying, modifying or distributing, and You must add the title, the copyright date, and the copyright holder’s name to the COPYRIGHT NOTICE of any original Open Game Content you Distribute.
7. Use of Product Identity: You agree not to Use any Product Identity, including as an indication as to compatibility, except as expressly licensed in another, independent Agreement with the owner of each element of that Product Identity. You agree not to indicate compatibility or co-adaptability with any Trademark or Registered Trademark in conjunction with a work containing Open Game Content except as expressly licensed in another, independent Agreement with the owner of such Trademark or Registered Trademark. The use of any Product Identity in Open Game Content does not constitute a challenge to the ownership of that Product Identity. The owner of any Product Identity used in Open Game Content shall retain all rights, title and interest in and to that Product Identity.
8. Identification: If you distribute Open Game Content You must clearly indicate which portions of the work that you are distributing are Open Game Content.
9. Updating the License: Wizards or its designated Agents may publish updated versions of this License. You may use any authorized version of this License to copy, modify and distribute any Open Game Content originally distributed under any version of this License.
10. Copy of this License: You MUST include a copy of this License with every copy of the Open Game Content You Distribute.
11. Use of Contributor Credits: You may not market or advertise the Open Game Content using the name of any Contributor unless You have written permission from the Contributor to do so.
12. Inability to Comply: If it is impossible for You to comply with any of the terms of this License with respect to some or all of the Open Game Content due to statute, judicial order, or governmental regulation then You may not Use any Open Game Material so affected.
13. Termination: This License will terminate automatically if You fail to comply with all terms herein and fail to cure such breach within 30 days of becoming aware of the breach. All sublicenses shall survive the termination of this License.
14. Reformation: If any provision of this License is held to be unenforceable, such provision shall be reformed only to the extent necessary to make it enforceable.
15. COPYRIGHT NOTICE Open Game License v 1.0a Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, LLC.
System Reference Document 5.1 Copyright 2016, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; Authors Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Chris Perkins, Rodney Thompson, Peter Lee, James Wyatt, Robert J. Schwalb, Bruce R. Cordell, Chris Sims, and Steve Townshend, based on original material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson.
Easóga an-Mhór, Denizens of Underhill Copyright 2019, Malachite Idol; Author Patrick Johnson.
END OF LICENSE
