The K’Titch’Zaa, colloquially known as Greyliens, are a paradoxical species: at once reviled and indispensable. Emerging from their harsh, resource-scarce homeworld in a star system nearly devoid of usable minerals or fertile land, Greyliens forged their identity through stubborn resourcefulness. What they lacked in natural bounty, they made up for with ingenuity and a knack for thriving in adversity.
Physical Characteristics
Greyliens are strikingly humanoid, with slim builds, bulbous heads, and smooth, pallid skin in shades of gray, green, or pale blue. Their eyes are large and glossy black, giving them an otherworldly appearance that has inspired countless human myths. Their forms vary between three distinct subgroups:
- Shorts: Small and spindly, usually no more than 3–4 feet tall. Shorts are timid but excellent engineers and tinkerers.
- Talls: Larger and sturdier, standing up to 6 feet tall, with greater strength and stamina than their kin.
- Friendlies: The most outgoing and sociable of the Greyliens, these individuals are often called “little green men” for their faint greenish hue and knack for charming others.
Cultural Overview
Greyliens are communal, asexual beings who raise their young collectively. They place great value on cooperation and shared survival, traits born of their homeworld’s harshness. While their society lacks the technological grandeur of others, they excel in salvage, improvisation, and making do with limited resources.
Historical Marginalization
For millennia, Greyliens were relegated to the fringes of galactic society. With no valuable exports and no significant contributions to culture or science, they were dismissed as insignificant scavengers. This reputation only deepened as they migrated into the stars, carving out meager existences by salvaging derelict ships, repairing outdated technology, and performing menial labor that other species avoided.
Greyliens Traits
Ability Score Increase: +1 Dexterity, +1 Wisdom
Age: Greyliens mature in their early teens and live up to 60–70 years.
Size: Greyliens vary based on subrace, ranging from Small to Medium.
Speed: Your base movement speed is 40 feet.
Titanium Stomach.
You are resistant to poison damage and immune to the poisoned condition.
Natural Survivor.
Gain proficiency with Repair Kits and the Survival skill.
Master of Improvisation.
You may maintain a number of weapon or armor modifications equal to half your proficiency bonus (rounded down). These mods can be built during a long rest, require no money (made of scrap), and can only be used by you. A single item may not have more than one Greylien modification.
Languages.
You can speak, read, and write Greylien, Tradespeak, and one other language of your choice.
Subraces
Timid and cautious, Shorts are the smallest of the Greyliens, often preferring to work behind the scenes as mechanics or tinkerers. Their size makes them adept at sneaking around unnoticed, and their intellect is their greatest asset.
- Size: Small
- Ability Score Increase: +1 Intelligence
- Just a Shadow. You gain proficiency in the Stealth skill. Additionally, you can attempt a stealth check while only lightly obscured, such as standing behind another creature or object.
- Nimble Hands. Gain proficiency with Tinker’s Tools.
Talls
Towering over their kin, Talls are robust and healthy, with a natural inclination toward physical labor and combat. While still resourceful, their physical prowess often makes them leaders or protectors within their communities.
- Size: Medium
- Ability Score Increase: +2 Constitution
- Hands On. Gain proficiency in one weapon, one toolkit, or piloting planetary vehicles or spaceships.
- Resilient Frame. You have advantage on saving throws against exhaustion.
Friendlies
Outgoing and affable, Friendlies are the most sociable of the Greyliens. Their charm and adaptability allow them to integrate seamlessly into other societies. Often underestimated due to their diminutive size, they use their natural charisma to forge alliances.
- Size: Small
- Ability Score Increase: +1 Charisma
- Non-Threatening. You gain proficiency with the Persuasion skill. You may end your turn inside a friendly creature’s space if that creature is at least one size larger than you. While in this space, you benefit from half cover.