Cactoids are sentient cactus-people. The exact origins of these people is unknown but it is highly suggested that they are influenced by the same primordial magic which drives Elementals. Unlike Elementals, Cactoids possess more agency and are capable of cohabitating with other intelligent life. They are largely desert dwellers and possess superior survivability in those climates
Biology and Appearance
Cactoids are diverse and variable in their shape and size. They may be short and round, tall and slender, tall and round, short and slender, or anywhere in between. Their skin is usually a variety of green and they may have flowers of many varieties which sprout from their head. Their prickly spines are not skinny and numerous. Rather, Cactoids have large but stout spines which, like any other weapon, are only harmful when purposefully used that way. The spines are only about as wide as a whiskey glass and protrude to only about an inch; they are also relatively sparse with the average Cactoid having only about a dozen spines on each section of their body. Cactoids reproduce through pollination enacted by insects, birds, and bats. As such, Cactoids have no biological sex or gender. Because of this, Cactoids often choose a gender identification that most fits with their personality in order to relate themselves to the norms of other intelligent humanoids.
An Individual Lifestyle
Unlike other humanoids, who largely rely on communities and social structures in order to survive, Cactoids are capable of living an entirely solitary lifestyle if they chose to. They need not depend on agriculture or currency should they choose not to, they can provide for all of their needs independently. However, this type of lifestyle would be similar to a hermit's who survives on bread and water. Some Cactoids still retain the need for social interaction with intelligent creatures. As such, Cactoids flock to civilization, not for any survival needs, but for social needs. Cactoid Names Due to their reproductive methods, Cactoids and Cactoid names are not gendered. Names: Austro, Caly, Hue, Kio, Mai, Opun, Peres, Poe, Rhip, Rowni, Tio
Cactoid Traits
Your Cactoid character has certain characteristics in
common with all other Cactoids.
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases
by 2 and your Wisdom score increases by 1.
Age. Cactoids begin their life as sprouts, having basic
sentience but no limbs with which to walk or move. Cactoids
are considered adults when they have fully developed their
arms and legs, which happens approximately 2 years after
their seed sprouted. Cactoids can live up to 180-200 years.
Alignment. Cactoids are not predisposed to any particular
alignment.
Size. Cactoids are between 4 and 8 feet tall and can be
anywhere from 100-350 pounds depending on size and
shape. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and
Cactoid.
Heat Resistant. You have resistance to Fire damage.
Regenerative Body. You have the ability to regenerate
limbs and organs, barring that your missing organs are not
fatal. For something small, like a finger, the regeneration
would only take about 3 days. For something larger, like a
foot, the regeneration would take about 7 days. For
something big, like a leg, the regeneration would take about
14 days. The body parts reform slowly but do not function
properly until the regeneration process is fully completed.
Desert Dweller & Rooting. Cactoids are omnivorous
creatures that require food and water, like any other
humanoid. However, Cactoids only require 1 pint (1/2 liter) of
water per week. Cactoids also only require half of the food an
average humanoid does.
Additionally, you can choose to root yourself during a long
rest if you are resting in a terrain with nutrient-rich soil, such
as Coast, Desert, Forest, Grassland, and Mountains. Rooting
yourself over the course of a long rest satisfies your eating
requirements for the next 3 days. While rooted your
movement speed is reduced to 0. Unrooting for an amount of
time during your long rest which would require you to restart
your rest would also cause this feature to reset.
Prickly Hide. When you are damaged by an unarmed
attack or when you successfully hit with an unarmed attack,
you can inflict an additional 1d4 piercing damage to your
opponent due to the spines that cover your skin. However, the
spines on your skin are limited, you can use this ability 10
times after which you must take a long rest before you can
use this feature again.