Humanoid species are exceptionally popular inDungeons & Dragons, but they’re hardly the only race you’re able to play. In fact, some of the non-humanoid species, like the Thri-Kreen, can be stunningly powerful. The Thri-Kreen are powerful warriors with amazing species traits, and while their mantis-like appearance might be off-putting to some of you, they shouldn’t be written off for that reason alone.
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If you want to experiment and put yourself into totally new shoes, then you should absolutely try the Thri-Kreen. They’re a species that has a completely different culture, community, and history than you’re probably used to playing with.
8Thri-Kreen Gender Is Difficult To Determine
Due to their generally non-humanoid nature and distinct bug characteristics, it can be exceptionally difficult to tell male and female Thri-Kreen apart. They don’t have any distinct and visual gender characteristics that would make identification easy.
If you manage to speak with a Thri-Kreen or you are a Thri-Kreen, you still wouldn’t be able to tell what another’s gender was based off of their name, given that the Thri-Kreen don’t have gendered names or even surnames. Considering that their language mostly consists of clicks, buzzing, and clacking noises, however, it makes sense that things would be too linguistically complicated.
7A Thri-Kreen’s Alignment Is Chaotic Neutral
Because Thri-Kreen doesn’t really have many identifiable humanoid traits or features, it can be exceptionally difficult for others to read their body language or expressions. As such, it often seems that Thri-Kreen is unpredictable and spontaneous.
They don’t lean towards evil actions or good actions, often only acting on behalf of themselves and their communities, which would place them in the Chaotic Neutral alignment if you look at them from a non-biased perspective. Their separation from what most would consider a more traditional Dungeons & Dragons environment lends itself well to the exceptional desire for more unrestrained communities and environments that don’t traditionally have laws or regulations.
6Thri-Kreen Have Short Lifespans
Despite the fierceness and often terrifying nature of the Thri-Kreen, they burn bright and not very long. The typical Thri-Kreen will not live past 25, often dying in battle, protecting their families, or from natural causes.
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There are no known cases in Dungeons & Dragons of a Thri-Kreen making it past 35 naturally, though if you really wanted your Thri-Kreen to live long enough to exist alongside their other party members, you could dabble in necromancy or even introduce some lich elements into the campaign. There is a decent chance that they will no longer be welcome in Thri-Kreen communities should this happen, however.
5Thri-Kreen Are Mostly Desert Dwellers
The best environment for a group of Thri-Kreen is an arid and hot one where they can easily use their chameleon ability to blend in with the environment. Rather than set up patrols to keep their territories safe, Thri-Kreen makes the most of their uninhabitable environments by laying low and stealthily.
You won’t notice you’ve stumbled across one unless you have a very high perception score or you’re coming face-to-face with them. They can often be found in deserts (either sandy deserts or rocky ones), sand dunes, or grassy plains where they can best disguise themselves to conserve their energy for when they will need to fight. This environment, however, makes them an almostperfect enemy or encounter for a desert.
4Survival Of The Fittest
Survival of the fittest isn’t just a saying, it’s a lifestyle for the Thri-Kreen. They live in difficult-to-survive environments and often find themselves having to viciously defend their territory. The Thri-Kreen are not inherently loyal to one group or another except their families and communities.
In these groups, the Thri-Kreen have intensely personal relations that are built on deeply personal and emotional attachments, and they will die defending their family and community if asked. Outside of the community, the Thri-Kreen offer no loyalty, and the only way to gain some kind of relationship with them is to prove your abilities and skills.
The Thri-Kreen respect is only earned by surviving a tough and intensely demanding environment and through your skills as a formidable warrior.
3Thri-Kreen Are Territorial
If you are non-threatening and aren’t looking to destroy the environment through various means, then you can generally pass through Thri-Kreen territory unbothered. However, if you present any kind of a threat to their homes by overhunting or causing harm to the land like Orcs or Gnolls would, then the Thri-Kreen will immediately peg you as a threat.
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If you are in an exceptionally large group that seemingly wants to wander into their territory and make your home there, then you will, once more, probably be seen as a threat given that the Thri-Kreen have already established themselves as a somewhat noticeable presence. Once identified as a threat, the Thri-Kreen will become increasingly hostile with the goal to chase you away or kill you - and they will not hesitate to kill you.
The Thri-Kreen are incredibly dangerous warriors who will attack without mercy and will feel no guilt once the job is done (the Dungeon Master may feel a bit of guilt, buta good DM will still present the challengeto decide whether or not they want to undertake it).
2Carnivorous And Cannibalistic Diets
Thri-Kreen are mainly carnivores and typically eat creatures like bison, horses (if they can), and even bunnies. However, some groups can and will hunt down humanoid groups, especially elves, to eat, considering them to be exceptionally delicious.
From a humanoid perspective, you could easily argue that this makes the Thri-Kreen evil, but given that they are not humanoid themselves and likely can’t communicate with elves and other humanoids (unless they live close to a settlement), it places them into a more neutral category. During times of famine, however, Thri-Kreen have been known to feast on their own, especially the weak and the young, to survive.
1Thri-Kreen Exoskeleton Trophies
Although there are times when the Thri-Kreen can be persuaded to help human settlements with various activities or even fights, the Thri-Kreen is just a bit too unusual for collectors not to be interested. Whether it’s collecting their weapons or harness or their bodies, there are collecting that want them and are willing to hunt them down and face off against this formidable warrior (usually with a handful of dirty tricks) so they can put a Thri-Kreen Exoskeleton on display as a hunting trophy.
Plus, Thri-Kreen heads are big enough to be used as a helmet if cleaned properly, and their exoskeleton could probably be made intoa set of really good armor if desired. It’s a bit macabre and horrifying, but it’s definitely something to think about if you plan on introducing Thri-Kreen to your campaign or if you plan on playing as one.
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