Korobokuru Class (B/X D&D)
This week, I picked up the PDF of Erin D. Smale’s BX Options: Class Builder. I’m digging it. The layout is easy to read, the organization clear and thoughtful, and the system simple but robust. Because I’ve long had a lingering fondness for TSR’s Oriental Adventures, I took the korobokuru race from that book, processed it through BX Options, and produced a korobokuru class suitable for B/X D&D.
Nota Bene: Those previous links are affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I get a few coppers.
Korobokuru
Korobokuru are a race of dwarves who live in vast jungles, snowy mountain forests, or barren wilderness areas. They seldom come into contact with humans. Korobokuru prefer remote and forbidding sites of great natural beauty. There they live in simple villages or camps, moving only when forced to by the advance of human settlements. In appearance korobokuru are about four feet tall, with arms and legs slightly longer in proportion to their bodies than a human’s. Most are bowlegged. Their arms and legs are hairy, and males have sparse beards. Most korobokuru have a wild, unkempt appearance as judged by human standards.
Culturally, korobokuru are much less advanced than most of their human neighbors. They hunt and tend small farms in secluded areas, and create simple pieces of art and craft. They normally avoid human contact. Because of this (and the general conceit of humans), humans consider korobokuru to be backward primitives, and rarely accept them as full members of human society. Korobokuru are typically seen as rude, pugnacious, boastful, and somewhat comical by the so-called civilized world. Korobokuru organize themselves into families and clans much the
same way humans do.
Requirements: Minimum STR 8 and CON 12, maximum INT 15
Prime Requisites: STR, CON
Hit Dice: 1d10
Maximum Level: 10
Armor: Any non-plate, including shields
Weapons: Any small or normal-sized weapons
Languages: Tribal, Trade Tongue, Spirit Folk, Hengeyokai
Restrictions
Bad Reputation: So-called civilized peoples view korobokuru with a combination of disdain and pity. Korobokuru suffer a -1 penalty to all reaction rolls when interacting with such peoples.
Stronghold: When korobokuru reach 7th level, they may build strongholds and attempt to establish clans.
Abilities
Combat: Korobokuru make attacks and saving throws as fighters. Korobokuru enjoy a +1 “to hit” against bakemono, goblins, goblin rats, and hobgoblins. Against giants (including creatures such as oni and ogres), korobokuru enjoy a +2 bonus to AC.
Infravision: Korobokuru have infravision, which allows them to see 120 feet in the dark.
Hunter-Gatherer: Korobokuru are able to identify normal flora and fauna two-thirds of the time (a roll of 1-4 on a d6).
Resistances: Korobokuru have a +1 bonus to saving throws made to resist poison, magic wands, rods, staves, and spells.
