Desmodu

Desmodus are massive, batlike humanoids who live in caverns deep underground. They are omnivorous and usually not dangerous unless attacked. Until recently, most sages thought them to be extinct, wiped out in an ancient war against the drow. Isolated colonies survived, however, including several scattered throughout the mountain ranges of Chult.

Outside of their underground, cavern homes, Desmodu are incredibly rare, and their monstrous appearance can intimidate humanoid races. Despite this, Desmodu are inquisitive, curious creatures - if a bit wild and uncultured when initially venturing into the overland. Their sensitive hearing can also lead to an aversion to crowds.

Long Arms and Vestigial Wings

An adult desmodu stands 6 and a half to 7 and a half feet tall. Its body is covered with red, black, or brown fur. The creature has long arms, short legs, and a head like that of a bat with a pig-like nose. A membrane of leathery, black skin stretches from each wrist to the corresponding ankle. A desmodu’s hands and feet are long and narrow, with stubby, curving digits ending in retractable claws. The fingers and toes, along with the heel and palms, are equipped with cilia that give the creature a very sure grip.

A desmodu is bipedal. Normally it walks upright with a rolling gait, but it can also can get down on all fours and gallop along at twice its base speed. The typical desmodu in it's natural habitat wears armor and a harness for carrying tools and weapons, but very little else. In more "civilized"

environments, Desmodu wear long cloaks and hoods to conceal their intimidating appearance.

Desmodu Society

Desmodus live in small, independent family groups that gather in loosely organized colonies or enclaves to pool resources and create a communal defense. They eschew complex social organizations, and individual families live as they please. Desmodus of the same age from different families frequently adopt each other as siblings. These adopted siblings are called age-mates, and they always refer to each other as though they were blood kin. The extended family ties that desmodus form in this manner can be both varied and complex, and they are usually not clear to anyone except other desmodus.

Desmodus live in large caverns festooned with stalactites and stalagmites. They tunnel into the ceilings to create living spaces, keeping the entrances concealed among the stalactites. They use the cavern floor to grow fungi, herd lizards, and conduct any other activities that might be difficult to perform on the ceiling. Desmodus breed a variety of bats to serve as steeds and guardians.

Desmodus enjoy a simple lifestyle. They understand the value of weapons and tools, but they keep neither money nor valuables. They conduct trade through barter, and the only distinction they recognize as a status symbol is the number of bats and lizards a family owns. Breeding, keeping, and training bats is a favorite activity among the desmodus. They consider it a mark of distinction to breed a new and useful type of bat, and thus countless varieties of bats exist within desmodu caverns

The chief desmodu deity is Vesperian, god of bats and owls, who is the creator and protector of the race. Typically there is a shrine dedicated to him in every enclave, and many dwellings also boast private altars to Vesperian.

Desmodu Traits

Your Desmodu character has the following traits.

Ability Score Increase

Your strength score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Age

Desmodu age quickly in a physical sense, reaching adulthood in their early teens. However, they tend to be incredibly deferential to the elderly, and so are not considered full adults until they are quite a bit older.

Alignment

Most Desmodus lean towards neutral good.

Size

Desmodu average over 6 and a half feet in height, although their slouched posture and tendency to walk on all fours makes them seem smaller. Your size is Medium.