Hoppitti: The Bunny Men

Hoppitti: The Bunny Men by Stone Gargoyle

The Hoppitti are a race of furry humanoids with rabbit-like ears and tail. They have powerful legs, also, and are playful creatures, enjoying games of chance as well as those involving physical exertion. All Hoppitti are very emotionally stable, quick-witted, and calm for the most part. The rarely fight amongst themselves and will not generally engage in battle unless backed into a corner and forced to. Breeding in great numbers, it is suspected that at one time they occupied all regions of the Palladium World, but have since been reduced in number. The Hoppitti are somewhat timid by nature, being pacifistic herbivores, generally preferring to run rather than engage in combat. As a result, they have been hunted to near extinction by more aggressive races and predatory animals. Few remain in the Palladium World, appearing indiginous to Ophid's Grasslands primarily. They exist in large numbers in the realm of Kh'ron, however, their legends claiming that the Great Cackler took mercy on their race and delivered them unto that realm to save them. As a result, much of their culture is centered around the worship of the Great Cackler and the eggs which they paint to give as gifts on various holidays and anniversaries. Interestingly, they have populated a great amount of Kh'ron, having migrated across the Great Gears even before the advent of airships, their legends claiming that various heroes leaped the great chasms between the gears to claim the various regions. The Hoppitti living in Kh'ron differentiate themselves from those in the Palladium World, designating themselves as "Hippitti" Hoppitti, with those in the Palladium World being designated as "Hoppitti" Hoppitti. Whereas the Hoppitti living in Kh'ron have established towns and villages, the ones living in the Palladium World ere nomadic and migratory by nature, never stopping in one spot long enough to be detected.
The Hoppitti live a simple life of gardening and tending to machines, many having a knack for tinkering, but some have become skilled wizards. They also have skilled appraisers, craftsmen and builders, their clothing and homes being lavish and comfortable. Although gentle and loving, they are shy around strangers, especially those of other races, and build their homes to blend into the landscape so as to be less noticeable from distances. Due to the necessity for concealment, many Hoppitti homes are built right into hillsides or are completely underground, the Hoppitti being skilled excavators and masons. A rare few become adventurers or warriors, but it is generally frowned on by their society. Breeding in great numbers, Hoppitti villages are often overcrowded when they are allowed to flourish and grow as a people. Hoppitti greatly enjoy mathematics and the design of machinery and gadgetry, being of high intelligence and learning very quickly. When able to interact fully with other races, they are quick to learn from them. They are also very keen observers and take note of everything, making them skilled journalists and cartographers. For this reason, Hoppitti living in the Ophid Grasslands are much more hindered than their brethren living in Kh'ron.

Hoppitti

Alignment: Any, but most tend to be Principled or Scrupulous

Attributes: I.Q. 3D6, M.E. 2D6, M.A. 2D6, P.S. 3D6, P.P. 4D6, P.E. 4D6, P.B. 4D6, Spd 4D6 but can reach Speeds of 66 (45mph/72k) in short bursts lasting 2D4 minutes.

Hit Points: P.E. +1D6 per level of experience

S.D.C.: 20 plus those gained from O.C.C.s and physical skills

Average P.P.E.: 6D6 for typical Hoppitti

Natural A.R.: None

O.C.C.s Available To Hoppitti: Any, but most will avoid fighting and mercenary O.C.C.s. O.C.C. bonus of +10% to any domestic skills, +5% to any technical or mechanical skills.

Optional Skills Available To Hoppitti:

Facial Body Language: The Hoppitti have a language that is as much gestures as it is verbal. They can, at times, communicate through just nose twitches, winks, lip twitches, and facial expressions. Skill Base: 20% +4% per level of experience.

Tap Dance Code: The Hoppitti have developed a form of coded communication through dance steps and stomps on the ground. Prerequisite: Dance. Skill Base: 20% +4% per level of experience.

Horror Factor: None

Physical Appearance: They are a rabbit-like race, and as such have long ears and fluffy tails. They have fur in a wide range of colors, including white, black, and all shades of brown.

Size: 3 to 5 feet tall

Weight: 50 - 150 pounds

Average life Span: 40+ years; some have lived up to 80

Natural Abilities: In addition to Hoppitti intelligence, physical agility and endurance, the character also has Nightvision (200 feet), excellent day vision (equal to human), a keen sense of hearing and smell, Prowl 40% and leap 6 feet high and 20 feet long.

Recognize Scent of Others: Can recognize and follow a familiar scent up to 50 feet (15m) away. Base Skill: 20% +4% per level of experience, +10% to recognize and follow the scent of a mate or offspring. Roll once for every 100 feet (30.5m) when following a scent trail. A failed roll means the trail is lost.

Keen Hearing: The character's hearing is as keen as a dog's and has the same range of hearing.

Bonuses: +3 initiative, +2 to strike, +4 dodge

Damage: Kick strike inflicts 3D6+1 damage plus P.S. bonus, bite 1D4 but no P.S. bonus is applicable.

Magic: By O.C.C. only

Psionics: Standard, roughly the same as humans

Enemies: Coyles and most other predatory races; none on Kh'ron.

Allies: None per se, but the get along with Gnomes and Elves. On Kh'ron, they are allied with the elves and Ra'Ven

Habitat: In the Palladium World, they seldom travel out of Ophid's Grasslands. They are present in every region of the realm of Kh'ron.

Favorite Weapons: If using weapons, characters will lean toward using spears and bows as opposed to close combat.

Value: Fur: 300 gold. Feet: In the Palladium World, rabbit feet are considered good luck, with Hoppitti feet even more so, fetching 50 gold per rabbit foot.