Fossor (3.5e Race)

Author: the bluez in the dungeon (talk) Date Created: 17/12/2021 Status: Complete, may add racial abilities Editing: Clarity edits only please

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Fossor

A race of small rodent-like creatures, specialized in digging in soft soil. They live organized in large families which work as crafting and engineering companies.

Personality

The shy, hard-working and earnest fossors are generally liked among other populations, thanks to their quiet nature and skills in moving earth quickly and efficiently. They are, as mentioned, very coy, greatly preferring to remain unnoticed by other races rather than being pointed out. This behaviour has lead to many injustices done to them, as some view them as weak and their unhuman appearance doesn't help with discrimination among the more humanoid races. Other than that, they are jovial fellows and, though initially wary, hospitable to anyone that treat them well. They take great pride in their work and suffer a lot whenever they struggle to complete their tasks.

Physical Description

Fossors are rodent-like, probably more akin to guinea pigs, priarie dogs and capybaras than anything else, though it's difficult to point out which one is more similar to a fossor. They have light fur, ranging from dark brown to beige, golden, cream, black, white and brick red, sometimes monochrome, sometimes patterned with two or three colors. Their eyes are small and completely black in most cases, sometimes red and very rarely other colors. The have big snouts, with sensitive noses, black or pink, and small circular ears. They have accentuated incisors, though not as prominent in typical rodents. They prefer to wear modest and light robes and clothes in casual days, something that allows them to be comfortable, while during work they wear sturdy and reliable gear, which they proudly produce and care for: each individual is very fond of its work outfit and they prefer to repair it instead of buying a new one.

Relations

As mentioned, they are generally liked by other races, especially if they can benefit, or exploit, from their abilities. Having said that, they suffer often oppression, due to their quiet and submissive nature and culture. They are very loyal and honest and they like simple pleasures, like hot beverages, music, crafts and the company of friends. They are both employed as civil and army engineer, wheter to lay foundations to buildings, mining, tunneling for sewers or other needs, or to build trenches, defenses and hamper enemies works. In structured societies and warfaring countries they are very appreciated for their skillful contributions to the needs of both peace and war.

Alignment

They are mostly lawful neutral, though a lot of fossors are lawful good. Each individual can carve its own path though, in life as in the earth (a true fossor motto). As a society they live in large families, specialized in some kind of craft or building enterprise, rarely allowing strangers into their lot. They breed quickly and a lot, but have also an high mortality rate between infants. The typical fossor adventurer didn't share its family's views or didn't thought it could really improve itself within the boundaries of its society. Adventuring fossors are usually less shy.

Lands

Fossors have no specific land, as humans do, and are widespread anywhere, though they prefer lands with soft soil which can be digged. Their communities are common in important cities of other races, where their offer their specialized work, organized tightly in familiy-companies of diggers, builders and crafters. They prefer to handle their society with a decentralized government where families come together to decide politics and judge on questions. They live in houses not different from those of gnomes. When they are outside their lands they congregate themselves in small councils to resolve internal conflicts and decide how to manage their work. In some settlements their circle of families take the role of a sort of builders guild, sometimes managing alone all construction works. They adapt to the living conditions of the locals when living among other races, if needed to avoid being noticed.

Religion

As a race, they are not especially religious and don't have a racial god or pantheon. Instead they pay respects to the local good and neutral gods, especially if their portfolio includes work, family and personal improvement. Beside this, each fossor and family may worship any deity they want.

Language

Their racial language, Fossorial, is a dialect of Gnome, which incorporates some Terran words, easily understandable by anyone who speaks traditional Gnome. They have a voice somewhat nasal and squeak when excited or surprised, They chatter their teeth as a warning sign in case of danger.

Names

They use the naming convention of gnomes, but their names usually underline work and productivity. They announce very proudly the name of their family-company along with their own name.

Racial Traits

• +2 Constitution, -2 Dexterity: Fossors are very resistant to fatigue and well-placed, though their short limbs and round bodies do not do well in agility contests.
• Humanoid (Anthro): Fossors are half humanoid half rodent creatures. 
• Small: As a Small creature, a fossor gains a +1 size bonus to Armor Class, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, a –4 size penalty on special attack (bull rushes, grapples, overruns, and trips) checks, and a +4 size bonus on Hide checks, but it uses smaller weapons than humans use, and its lifting and carrying limits are three-quarters of those of a Medium character.
• Fossor base land speed is 20 feet. They can move four-legged to increase their base land speed to 30 feet (9 meters) 
• Low-Light Vision: A fossor can see twice as far as a human in starlight, moonlight, torchlight, and similar conditions of poor illumination. She retains the ability to distinguish color and detail under these conditions. 
• Trencher (Ex): Fossors can dig holes, trenches and perform similar digging works with their paws in half the time required to other creatures. This allows very quick construction of those works, but only if the soil is not too hard nor too brittle (though desert-dwelling fossors may be used to working with sand). If they use proper digging tools, they apply this increased speed to them too. The tunnels and holes made by them are secure to pass through and soil in excess is neatly stored or used to make the construction stable. They also double the time they can dig without having to make Fortitude saves to avoid fatigue. 
• Digging Expertise (Ex): +2 to checks made to dig and to build earth-works as describe above. They also gain free proficiency with the combat spade or Weapon Focus with the combat spade or combat shovel if they would already be proficient with their 1st level in a class. 
• Stable Paw (Ex): They are not hindered by difficult terrain due to rubble, uneven terrain or small rocks. 
• Skillful Upbringing: All fossors have Knowledge (Architecture and Engineering) as a class skill for all their classes. 
• Cautious (Ex): +2 to Reflex save against earth and rock related hazards (as holes or collapses). They also gain a +2 bonus to Knowledge (Architecture and Engineering), Listen, Search and Spot cheks to notice and analyze works and dangers due to soil and rocks.
• Automatic Languages: Common and Gnome (Fossorial)
• Bonus Languages: Dwarven, Terran, Goblin
• Favored Class: Architect or Fighter
• Level Adjustment: +0
• Effective Character Level: 1

Vital Statistics

Table: Fossor Random Starting Ages

Adulthood	Simple	Moderate	Complex
23 years	+1d6	+2d6	+4d6

Table: Fossor Aging Effects

Middle Age1	Old2	Venerable3	Maximum Age
50 years	70 years	95 years	+3d20 years
At middle age, −1 to Str, Dex, and Con; +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha. At old age, −2 to Str, Dex, and Con; +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha. At venerable age, −3 to Str, Dex, and Con; +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha.

Table: Fossor Random Height and Weight

Gender	Base Height	Height Modifier	Base Weight	Weight Modifier
Male	3' 10"	+2d4	150 lb.	× (1d6) lb.
Female	3' 9"	+2d4	140 lb.	× (1d6) lb.

Racial Options

• Applied Engineering

• Fossor Engineer

• Fossor Sapper

Pathfinder Options

Add a +2 to Intelligence for Pathfinder games.

Simple Racial Traits

These are racial traits for use with the simplified races rules.

• Humanoid (Anthro)
• Small (+1 bonus to Hide, Move Silently, and Escape Artist checks)
• Base land speed of 20 feet.
• Combat Ability - Fossor Resilience: Once per encounter as a non-action upon being dealt damage by an enemy's attack or effect you may reduce the damage taken by a number equal to 3 + your HD.
• Passive Ability - Stable Paw: You are not hindered by difficult terrain due to rubble, uneven terrain or small rocks.
• Utility Ability - Trencher: You can dig holes, trenches and perform similar digging works with your paws in half the time required to other creatures. This allows very quick construction of those works, but only if the soil is not too hard nor too brittle (though desert-dwelling fossors may be used to working with sand). If you use proper digging tools, you apply this increased speed to them too. The tunnels and holes you make are secure to pass through and soil in excess is neatly stored or used to make the construction stable. You also double the time you can dig without having to make Fortitude saves to avoid fatigue.

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