Karkadann

**Karkadann** also known as **The Dannfolk** and **Clefthooves,** are a strong-willed and strong-armed race of bipedal Rhinoceri-folk hailing from Vari.

### Appearance

Although they strongly resemble upright Rhinoceri, they have longer legs than any Rhinocerous and stand around 6-7ft tall. They weigh between 350 and 450 pounds. Their thick hide is often various shades of grey or brown, and a massive horn at the end of their snout. The average lifespan of a Karkadann is around 80 years old, they mature at the same rate as humans.

### Temperament

They have a reputation for physical prowess and an impatience for those who disagree with them. **Karkadann** are characteristically terse and gruff. It is said that if you hear advice from a Karkadann, you would be wise to take it, as it may be the only thing you hear from him or her all day. They can be both the fiercest combatants on the battlefield and the most enlightened thinkers in the monastery, but in either case they are usually incredibly stubborn.

### Appearance and Spiritualism

As large, humanoid rhinoceri, **Karkadann** are huge, slow moving and ponderous people. They have two fingers and a thumb on each hand, and their feet are cleft like a rhinoceros. They have thick, durable hides. In some colder climates, Karkadann can grow thick, long hair that resembles the consistency of wool, in order to keep them warm. They have a single large horn on the end of their snout that they use to their advantage in combat situations. Some Karkadann carve lightly into their horns and then have dark dyes painted into the grooves to accentuate them. These designs can be very intricate and are usually spiritual in nature and can be considered holy by other folk of their kin.

### Combat

In the rare instance that a **Kardadann** is pushed to fight, they often do so with the clear goal of harming their foe in the most brutal way imaginable, in a gladiatorial display of might to frighten their foes and inspire their allies. If that means the destruction of a foe that could otherwise be kept alive to question, then so be it. Thanks to this many follow the path of the warrior. Barbarians, Blood Hunters, Rangers and Fighters are very common, with Paladins and Druids following closely behind.

### Bupha Symbiotes

**Karkadann** and Bupha, a type of small bird, have a fascinating symbiotic relationship. The Bupha stands on the Karkadann's back, head or shoulders and eats ticks and other insects that it finds on the Karkadan. If the Bupha senses danger, it will always create a commotion, which helps to alert the Karkadan to the threat. If a Bupha sees an 'unperched' Karkadann, it may descend and pair with the Karkadan in order to ensure it has a constant supply of food. It will mark its territory by leaving small traces of faecal matter upon the shoulder, back, hair or head of the Karkadann, to ensure no other Bupha steals its 'perch'. In exchange it will clean its perch of any parasites or insects in its hard to reach places, while also warning it of any approaching danger. The bird will usually flee when they feel threatened or any violence breaks out. It may return if it deems it safe to do so at a later time.

### Karkadan Race Features

If you are in a campaign ran by MijMike you can view the Karkadann race in D&DBeyond here.

#### Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 2, and your Strength score increases by 1.

#### Size

Although they strongly resemble upright Rhinoceri, they have longer legs than any Rhinocerous and stand around 6-7ft tall, but they often appear shorter because of a natural forward roll to their shoulders. Your size is medium

#### Horn

Your horn is a natural melee weapon, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with it, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

#### Goring Rush

Immediately after you use the Dash action on your turn and move at least 20 feet, you can make one melee attack with your horn as a bonus action.

#### Hammering Horn

Immediately after you hit a creature with a melee attack as part of the Attack action on your turn, you can use a bonus action to attempt to shove that target with your horn. The target must be no more than one size larger than you and within 5 feet of you. Unless it succeeds on a Strength saving throw against a DC equal to 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Strength modifier, you push it up to 10 feet away from you.

#### Natural Armor

You have thick, leathery skin. When you aren’t wearing armor, your AC is 12 + your Constitution modifier. You can use your natural armor to determine your AC if the armor you wear would leave you with a lower AC. A shield’s benefits apply as normal while you use your natural armor.

#### Symbiotic Relationship

Karkadann and Bupha (a type of bird) have a fascinating symbiotic relationship. The Bupha stands on the Karkadan's back, head or shoulders and eats ticks and other insects that it finds on the Karkadan. If the Bupha senses danger, it will always create a commotion, which helps to alert the Karkadan to it as well. If a Bupha sees an 'unperched' Karkadann, it may descend and pair with the Karkadan in order to ensure it has a constant supply of food. It will mark its territory by leaving small traces of faecal matter upon the shoulder, back or head of the Karkadann, to ensure no other Bupha steals its 'perch'. In exchange it will clean the Karkadann of any parasites or insects in its hard to reach places, while also warning it of any approaching danger. The bird will usually flee when you are threatened or any violence breaks out. It may return if it deems it safe to do so at a later time. (Use the statistics of an Owl to represent Bupha) While your paired Bupha is perched upon you, you add 3 to your passive perception.

The Bupha will follow the Karkadann into most places, but it will not go underground and will instead fly away. It may wait in the nearby area for the Karkadann to return, but after a day or so it will likely leave to find a new 'perch'.