Ratling
With twitchy reflexes and relatively short lifespans, ratlings tend to value quick thinking over careful deliberation. A plan seldom survives contact with a ratling. A sudden inspiration or temptation can inspire impromptu “improvements” that alter a scheme beyond recognition. Those not comfortable with improvisation are well advised to avoid ratling partners.
Ratlings’ origins are not clear, although historical record suggests that they came into being relatively recently—perhaps only a few hundred years ago. Some believe that ratlings originated as giant rats in wizards’ laboratories, although this theory is often advanced along with a demand that the local wizard make amends for ratling thefts. Another theory holds that ratlings are the descendants of wererats. Certainly, ratlings sometimes share the sewers with wererats and are often mistaken for them. Most ratlings believe a third story, speaking of a long-ago rat hero whose mighty deeds earned the approval of the gods and was elevated to a demigod before becoming the ancestor of all ratling peoples.
Whether the scions of arcane experiments, lycanthropic bloodlines, or a semi-divine hero, ratlings owe nothing to their progenitors. Often disrespected by larger folk, they make sure to take the food and the space they feel is due to them.
Ratling Traits
Characters with the ratling heritage share the following traits:
Age. Descended relatively recently from a short-lived species, ratlings live quickly and with gusto. They mature to adulthood around age 14 and can live as long as 60 years.
Size. Ratlings average around 3 feet tall and weigh between 40 and 60 pounds. Your size is Small.
Speed. Your 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 cannot discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Keen Smell. Ratlings have survived by being able to scent out predators and food sources. You have proficiency in Perception and gain an expertise die on Perception checks that rely on smell.
Poison Tolerance. You are immune to ingested poison .
Ratling Gifts
Ratlings are known for traveling in hungry packs. In addition to the traits found in your ratling heritage, select one of the following gifts.
Bottomless Appetite
Your appetite is insatiable. Although you enjoy fine cuisine as much as anyone else, you can also eat foods that others can’t stomach. Even when you’re at death’s door, food restores your strength and vitality.
Grab a Quick Bite. You can eat and digest huge quantities of food in seconds. If you have sufficient food for one day (1 Supply ), you can eat it as an action. When you do so, you gain temporary hit points equal to twice your proficiency bonus. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus. You regain any expended uses when you finish a long rest .
Strength in Numbers
You are adept at working in a team. Whether in combat or in other pursuits, you are quick to exploit any advantage your companions create.
Group Tactics. You can make an ability check with advantage as part of a group check. Once you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you’ve taken a short or long rest .
Rat Swarm. Once on your turn, you can reroll an attack roll against a target within 30 feet if another creature has made a melee attack against the same target since the end of your last turn. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus. You regain any expended uses when you finish a long rest .
Ratling Paragon
When you reach 10th level, you are an exemplar of ratling-kind, and you gain the following paragon gift.
Lucky Escape
You are adept at avoiding the negative consequences of others’ hostility and your own unwise actions. Whenever you make a saving throw you are not proficient in, you gain a bonus to the roll equal to half your proficiency bonus (rounded down).
Ratling Culture
Small collectives of ratlings can be found anywhere. Some make their livings as itinerant merchants, entertainers, or pirates, while others live quiet existences in villages made up of neat, half-sized cottages. Most ratlings, however, skulk in the sewers and alleyways of large cities. In many urban areas, they have an unsavory reputation as thieves with no regard for private property, especially where food is concerned. Indeed, ratlings have tremendous appetites, and a hungry ratling let loose in a bakery or granary can eat as much as several humans twice their size. While some communities make sure that all their citizens, including ratlings,are well-fed, others wage war upon their ratling population, attacking them on sight or banishing them to the sewers.
Some wealthy ratlings disdain the lifestyles of their scruffy, subterranean cousins, making sure to remain urbane and well-groomed at all times. These so-called “fancy ratlings” must fight for their place in high society. They resent insults and openly challenge anyone who levels slurs like “gutter rat” or who dirties their immaculate clothes or fur.
Nearly all ratlings share a love of community. Most ratlings can be found living in close quarters with their extended ratling family, holding food and possessions in common. Sometimes, a ratling adopts a non-ratling group as their pack. A ratling member of a guild or adventuring party will be loyal and selfless, and will expect the same from their fellows.
Suggested Cultures. While you can choose any culture for your ratling character, the following cultures are linked closely with this heritage: circusfolk , cosmopolitan , mischief maker , sewer rat .