Creature Feature (5e): Human Derring-do

Humans are a varied and ambitious people. It is for perhaps this reason that some of the most heroic and most monstrous of mortals are often human. However, the elves have always had their magic, the dwarves their industry, and humanity was kept in check being masters of neither. Then came the Age of Lead and this balance saw an unexpected upset. Guns slowly began to match magic in terms of power and render cost prohibitive tools of war (such as plate armor and warhorses) increasingly less effective. Thus began the appearance of derring-dos, bold and cocksure men and women who, gun in hand, do what humans do best: seek fortune and adventure. A gun is much easier to master than magic and, although expensive, cheaper than the complete armaments and training of a man-at-arms. For good or ill, violence and the explosion of gunpowder follows these folks wherever they go.

Related Articlehttp://articles.opengamingnetwork.com/2018/12/tuesday-potpourri-5e-the-age-of-lead/

Human Derring-do

Medium human, chaotic neutral

Armor Class 15 (leather armor)
Hit Points 82 (15d8 +15)
Speed 30 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
12 (+1) 18 (+4) 14 (+1) 10 (+1) 12 (+1) 16 (+3)

Saving Throws Dexterity +7, Charisma +6
Skills Acrobatics +7, Athletics +4, Persuasion +6
Languages Common, One additional language (usually dwarven or gnomish)
Senses passive Perception 11
Gear B7 pistol, 20 cartridges, rapier, leather armor
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)

Special Traits

  • Touch of Daring. Once a day, after failing a save against being frightened, a Human Derring-do may instead choose to treat the failure as a success.
  • Nimble Fingers. The Human Derring-do ignores the loading property on their B7 Pistol (included in the attack).

Actions

  • Multiattack. The Human Derring-do makes two ranged attacks or three melee attacks.
  • B7 PistolRanged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 50/150 ft., one target. Hit: (2d4+4) piercing damage.
  • RapierMelee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, one target. Hit: (1d8+4) piercing damage.

About

With a smile and that mad human ambition, derring-dos come in all forms. The only truly unifying thing about these people is their guns and their namesake acts of reckless daring. They can be found in bands of outlaws and pirates, amongst duelist bravados, and (more heroically) among dragonslayers and planewalkers. Derring-dos are the embodiment of how most races see humanity: they dress boldly, they act boldly, and they go boldly. They can be careless and even cruel in the pursuit of their goals. They are brave to the point of foolishness, and far more competent than they often first appear.



About Quin Callahan

Quin Callahan is a freelance writer and college level English and economics tutor of over four years experience. He has written for a variety of gaming, technology, and economics publications. His favorite animal might be the squid but he is rarely certain.

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