Deku Scrub (species)
Physiology: Squat Plants
An adult deku scrub stands at a height between 2 and 4 feet, and weighs somewhere between 25 and 50 pounds. Scrubs have skin comprised of tree-like bark, and they feature outgrowths of leaves used to absorb sunlight and perform a process similar to photosynthesis. Nearly all deku scrubs have some form of leaves or shrubbery growing from atop their heads, though many of them style it in ways other than a natural shrubbery-like look. Most scrubs also grow leaves below their neck and across their torsos, which other races might mistake for clothing. Though rare, deku scrubs can also grow flower petals alongside or in place of leaves—and this is usually considered a feminine quality.
Deku scrubs have yellow, orange, or red eyes which glow dimly and allows many of them to see in darkness. Rather than a nose or a mouth, their face features a short tubular 'snout' which can both smell and taste that which enters it. Most deku scrubs are able to move their snout from its default circular shape, especially with practice—and those who live among other races often to so to more easily convey emotions to races prone to smiling and frowning. These snouts are frequently used to spit nuts at high speed, used as both a means of warding off predators and as a means of reproduction.
Gender and Life Cycle: Monogenered Seedlings
Like most plants, deku scrubs are effectively hermaphrodites, as there are no physiological differences to differentiate gender. Scrubs who are influenced by gendered races usually adopt a gender for themselves, but this usually depends only on whether the deku scrub feels like a more masculine or feminine individual. Male is chosen more often than not.
To a deku scrub, the seeds its body produces are more of a means of weaponry than of reproduction. Creating a seed requires very little resources on behalf of the scrub, but it is draining enough that a deku scrub usually only does so when it feels threatened. When a scrub does spit one of its seeds, that seed rarely finds soil and nutrients enough to grow. When it does, the seed gradually grows into a deku scrub in its own right, usually with no dependency on parents. Indeed, the concept of a special parent-child relationship is foreign to all but the most cultured of deku scrub tribes.
After conception, a deku scrub is effectively immobile, dependent on the environment—or friendly caregivers—to receive sunlight, water, and other nutrients. During this period, lasting a few years, the immobile deku scrub may be affected by the pollen of other deku scrubs in the area, and consequently, be influenced by their genes. Once the period ends, the deku scrub grows legs, and its mobile body is able to separate from a rooted part of the plant—a "deku flower"—that is left behind where the scrub was planted. By this point, the deku scrub gains something resembling sentience. Curiously, deku scrubs at this stage inherently know some basic words and phrases in the Deku language. Indeed, it is believed the entire Deku language is based on the basic words all scrubs seem to know.
The body of a young deku scrub only has legs, an abdomen, and a head. It doesn't gain arms until it reaches a certain age—anywhere from 5 to 15 years. Some never grow any arms at all, though this is usually an inherited deficiency.
Deku scrubs are most at home while nesting in their deku flowers, as the flowers are both physically comfortable provide additional nutrients that are otherwise difficult to obtain. Many a scrub spends its entire life comfortably resting inside its own flower. Some scrubs instead move from one flower to the next, renting and trading prime locations in the same way other races trade in real estate. A deku scrub can generally gain the same nutritional and nesting benefits from any deku flower. Although it is unpleasant, a rare few deku scrubs give up reliance on deku flowers entirely for the sake of independence.
Society: Natural Hermits
Due to their means of reproduction, many deku scrubs don't think of themselves as part of a "society," and are inherently very individualistic. They usually only find family in other deku scrubs that were planted near them by happenstance and have no traditional roles such as parent, child, or sibling. They are inherently distrustful of any creatures not of this family, even other deku scrubs. Such scrubs instinctively spit nuts at strangers to ward them off, which a habit many of them have difficulty breaking.
Although this simple life is tradition, in the past few centuries some deku scrubs have learned to organize and culture themselves more like other races. A few families have even formed their own small kingdoms in swamps, forests, or other places of abundant flora. These kingdoms have adapted many cultural habits from other races, most notably hylians, such as building wooden structures or forming small but organized armies.
There are a few rare scrubs who intermingle with hylians, gorons, and other more hospitable races. These deku scrubs tend to fancy themselves as businessmen and traders, or occasionally adventurers. Even these civilized scrubs have a tendency towards erratic behavior, paranoia, and other unusual habits compared to the likes of hylians.
Deku Names
Names are less important to deku scrubs than to most other intelligent beings. They are often born without a name, and usually, only give themselves a name when interacting with hylians or other races with which names are important. Even then, it is usually some variation on "Deku," such as Dekki or Deppi. Within the most organized of deku scrub societies, different scrubs are usually referred to by their occupation or another title, such as "Deku King" or "Deku Butler." As their tribes are isolated and rarely exceed a hundred, this remains effective for them.
Random Height and Weight
| Base Height | Height Modifier | Base Weight | Weight Modifier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1′ 10″ | +2d12 | 20 lb. | × 1 lb. |
Player-character traits
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2.
Age. Deku scrubs do not become mobile for 2 or 3 years after being planted and do not reach adulthood until the mid-teens. Most can live to an age of 70.
Alignment. Deku scrubs are often paranoid, irrational, and tend to live selfishly. They have a strong tendency towards chaos and a slight leaning towards evil.
Size. Deku scrubs range in height from 2 to 4 feet. Your size is Small.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 25 feet.
Darkvision. A deku's glowing eyes are adapted to dim, dank forests and marshes. You can see im dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Hybrid Nature. You have two creature types: humanoid and plant. You are affected by a game effect if works on either of your creature types.
Wood Armor. Your skin is literally bark. Your Armor Class can't be lower than 13 + your Dexterity modifier, regardless of what kind of armor you are wearing. If your Armor Class isn't otherwise at least this high, you are vulnerable to fire damage.
Seed Shot. Your funnel-like snout can shoot seeds that are naturally produced by your body, and you can shoot a seed as a ranged weapon attack without using your hands. You add your Dexterity modifier and proficiency bonus to this attack roll. On a hit, you deal bludgeoning damage equal to 1d4 + your Constitution modifier. This attack has a range increment of 20/60 ft.
Deku Flight. You know the petal glide spell, and can cast at its lowest level. Once you cast this spell with this trait, you cannot do so again until you finish a long rest.
Water Hop. If you use your action to Dash, you can traverse over the surface of water or similar liquids until the end of your turn. If your turn ends while you are over a liquid, you will submerge into it as normal.
Languages. As a player-character, you can read, write, and speak both Deku and Hylian. It is common for deku scrubs to speak Hylian awkwardly, and many can't speak it at all.
Subrace.. Choose one subrace from business scrub, mad scrub, or royal scrub.
Business Scrub
Business scrubs are generally those who live among or near societies of other races. Although they don't necessarily conduct business, most of them make a habit of basic trade—offering a small selection of wares that only deku scrubs could obtain easily.
Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 1.
Manipulative. You have proficiency in one of the following skills of your choice: Deception, Insight, Persuasion, Sleight of Hand, or Stealth.
Tough Negotiator. You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed.
Extra Language. It's common for business scrubs to deal in cultures that are extremely foreign to most deku. You can speak, read, and write one extra language of your choice.
Mad Scrub
The wildest of scrubs are often called mad, but they may just be misunderstood. Most of these deku scrubs are exposed to poisons and venoms in swamps and forests so frequently that they build up a potent tolerance.
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 1.
Deku Resilience. You have advantage on saving throws against poison, and you have resistance to poison damage.
Forest Camouflage. You have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide or move quietly in forests, woodlands, or other terrain of abundant foliage.
Royal Scrub
So-called because they often form kingdoms, royal scrubs are relatively organized, but don't necessarily have any greater tolerance for other races than mad scrubs.
Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by 1.Paranoia. Your natural paranoia has been honed into a defensive asset. You have disadvantage on all saving throws against being frightened, but have advantage on all Charisma saving throws not made against this condition.
Deku Vocation. You have proficiency in one of the following tools of your choice: carpenter's tools, woodworker's tools, or horns. Alternatively, you can add half your proficiency bonus to Intelligence (Nature) checks if you can't otherwise add your proficiency bonus.
