Bat
Bat (also known as chiropterans) are small, winged Awakened adapted to life in darkness. They
have large bat-like ears, light skeletal frames with membranes stretching along their arms and
sides (forming wings), and often fine fur covering their bodies. Some have distinct facial features
akin to various bat species (from cute fruit-bat faces to more grotesque leaf-nosed bat faces). Bat
live in caves, dark forests, or even the Shadowfell in some lore. They are nocturnal and often
form tight-knit colonies for mutual protection. Because of their affinity for darkness and
unsettling appearance, other species sometimes fear them – leading some bat communities to
isolate themselves. In reality, bat range widely in temperament: some are shy insectivores who
just want to be left alone, others are cultured and artistic (with a knack for music, using their
echo-location to create haunting melodies), and a few might lean into the spooky reputation and
become dwellers in ancient ruins or minions of dark powers. They see beauty in darkness that
others do not. Bat adventurers often take roles as rogues, rangers, or even sorcerers/warlocks
drawing power from shadow. They have a natural gift of echolocation that allows them to “see”
with their ears, and many can fly silently, making them excellent scouts and infiltrators.
Bat Traits.

Your bat character has the following species traits:
● Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score
increases by 1.

● Age. Bat reach adulthood by 10 and live around 60 years on average. A few particularly
healthy or magically-inclined bat have lived into their 80s, but that is uncommon.

● Alignment. As a whole, bat tend toward neutral or chaotic neutral. They value their
freedom to move unseen in the night and often don’t mesh with structured societies. Bat
aren’t inherently evil – most are simply cautious of others. Those who have been
persecuted may harbor resentment (skewing some to neutral evil), while others who
integrate with society can be loyal and good neighbors.

● Size. Bat are on the smaller side. They typically stand 3 to 4 feet tall and have slender
builds, weighing 40–60 pounds (their bones are light). Your size is Small.

● Speed. Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

● Flight. You have a flying speed of 30 feet. To use this speed, you can’t be wearing
medium or heavy armour. You have two large bat wings stretching from your arms to
your torso. You need to have your arms free to fly (you cannot fly while your arms are
completely restrained). While flying, you make no more sound than a quiet whisper – bat
have naturally silent flight.

● Echolocation (Blindsight). You have blindsight out to a range of 30 feet, provided you
are not deafened. You can perceive your surroundings without relying on sight, by
emitting high-pitched sounds and listening to the echoes. This blindsight is effective in
darkness and against invisible creatures, but it does not function if you cannot hear (e.g.,
in the area of a silence spell). Beyond 30 feet, you have no special sight (so you rely on
normal vision, which in darkness means you are effectively blind beyond 30 feet if no
other light is present).

● Sunlight Sensitivity. Accustomed to darkness, you are sensitive to bright light. While in
direct sunlight, you have disadvantage on attack rolls and on Wisdom (Perception)
checks that rely on sight. (Many bat wear cloaks, wide-brimmed hats, or smoked goggles
to mitigate this if they must travel by day.)

● Keen Hearing. You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing.

● Silent Wings. Bat’s wing structure muffles sound. You have proficiency in the Stealth
skill. In addition, when you fly, you do not make sound from wing beats, so your
movement doesn’t automatically give you away by noise.

● Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Beast Speech. (Bat also have a
subtle language of high-pitched sounds – effectively a dialect of Beast Speech – which
other creatures with keen hearing can faintly perceive but usually not interpret.)