Kender

By Chuck Martinell, Ed Mekeel, Tim Sheflet, Weldon Chen, and Trampas Whiteman

Kender Names

Each kender has a given name, as well as a more descriptive “chosen” name (usually – but not always – chosen by themselves) that best describes their exploits, achievements, and outlook on life. They have a habit of appropriating particularly popular or heroic names to inherit the good reputation of the original owner. It is not uncommon to encounter an entire group of wandering kender all calling themselves by the same name. Younger kender are often influenced by their elders or relatives. The importance of familial ties often means that kender will maintain a family name out of loyalty to their bloodline.

Male Names: Arlie, Buckeran, Jackin, Kronin, Malon, Merric, Pentrian, Tarli, Tasslehoff, Tekel, Tobin.

Female Names: Amari, Amber, Athola, Catt, Emla, Ethani, Juniper, Mela, Paxina, Teeli.

Chosen Names: Burrfoot, Deeppockets, Flamehair, Lighteyes, Nimblefingers, Quickstep, Redfeather, Riddler, Softtread, Thistleknot.

Subrace

Choose one of the subraces below or one from another source.

Kender Traits

Your kender character has certain characteristics in common with all other kender.

Ability Score Increase: Your Dexterity score increases by 2.

Age: A kender reaches adulthood at the age of 20 and generally lives to be about 70.

Alignment: Most kender are neutral good. As a rule, most kender are curious individuals who experience a form of wanderlust. They are usually cheery and helpful.

Size: Kender average about 3 feet tall and weigh about 40 pounds. Your size is Small.

Speed: Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Kender Weapon Training: You are proficient with four of the following kender weapons: battak, bollik, chapak, hachak, hoopak, polpak, sashik, sithak, and whippik.

Explorers: Whenever you make an Intelligence (History) check regarding geography, you are considered proficient in the History skill and add double your proficiency bonus to the check, instead of your normal proficiency bonus.

Languages: You can speak, read, and write Common, Kenderspeak, and one extra language of your choice. Through their wanderings, kender almost always pick up another language. Almost all kender speak Common to converse with the people in whose lands they dwell or through which they are traveling.

True Kender

Ability Score Increase: Your Charisma score increases by 1.

Fearless: You are immune to the frightened condition.

Kender Pouches: As an action you can make a roll on the kender pouch grab chart to see what is in your pouches.  You may use this ability up to a number of times equal to your Dexterity modifier before needing a long rest to recharge.

Taunt:  You have an uncanny insight into the motivations and characteristics of other races, and you can use this insight to infuriate them. As a bonus action you hurl a string of verbal assaults at a target who can hear and understand you, forcing them to make a Wisdom saving throw equal to 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier. A target who succeeds is immune to your Taunt for 24 hours. If the target fails, they must use their action to attack you, using their movement if they are not already in range. Attacks against all targets other than you are made with disadvantage until the start of your next turn.

Kender Pouch Grab Chart

1. A hair comb crafted from a gold dragon’s scale
2. A silver collar set with bloodstone
3. An electrum coin defaced with a fell symbol
4. A silver collar set with hematite
5. A copper coin bearing the image of an axe beneath three stars
6. A brass miniature of a tower trapped in the coils of a fell serpent
7. A small mirror etched with geometric patterns
8. A prism of smoky crystal through which elves appear to be formed of shifting shadows
9. A necklace of worn runestones on a brass chain
10. A broken dagger engraved with the symbol of a legendary wizard
11. Half of a map of a nearby castle
12. A glass bottle which contains a brass miniature of a ship
13. A bloodstone pawn which was given to you by your granduncle shortly before he disappeared
14. A brass miniature of a tree entombed in quartz
15. A working wooden miniature of a ballista
16. A white rose petal entombed in quartz
17. A pendant of blue stone engraved with an arcane symbol
18. A pewter pyramid engraved with fell symbols, which your family has kept secret for many generations
19. A white rose petal entombed in glass
20. Parts of a broken compass in a small leather bag
21. A tiny steel shield hanging from a leather cord
22. A spherical puzzle box which you’ve never been able to open
23. A tiny squid-like creature preserved in quartz
24. A four-sided die engraved with the alchemical symbols of the elements
25. A silk handkerchief embroidered with the initials I.H.
26. A bloodstone candlestick crafted in the form of a temple
27. A bronze gauntlet which fits you perfectly
28. A lodestone pawn engraved with an alien symbol
29. A small petrified rabbit
30. A small wooden box with an inlaid agate cameo of an earth god
31. An iron amulet with a tiny secret compartment
32. A pewter amulet set with a scarred moonstone
33. An iron figurine of a maiden with a scorpion’s tail
34. A steel gauntlet which fits you perfectly
35. A six-sided die crafted in solid glass
36. A bracer crafted from strange green glass which is as strong and durable as steel
37. A crystalline bottle filled with wisps of golden smoke
38. A brass oil lamp engraved with a map of the City of Brass
39. A monstrous fingerbone inscribed with the word “Undying”
40. A silver dagger with two deliberate notches
41. A leather gauntlet which fits you perfectly
42. A crystalline flask etched with sylvan designs
43. A brass amulet with a tiny secret compartment
44. A stone figurine of a dwarf which shouts an alarm when anyone approaches
45. A wooden walking stick inlaid with sylvan designs in pewter
46. A monocle crafted from then lens of a fomorian’s eye
47. A monocle crafted from then lens of a devil’s eye
48. A bronze coin bearing the image of the image of a broken moon
49. An iron oil lamp which is missing three gemstones
50. A four-sided die engraved with the symbols of the four winds
51. An ivory flute which seems to attract cats when played
52. A leather bracer with three matching rings attached by fine silver chains
53. A leather bracer decorated with beetle shells
54. An elven fingerbone inscribed with the word “Relent”
55. A loosely-bound folio filled with sketches of strange landscapes
56. A bronze torc which weighs less than it should
57. A brass chime etched with the image of five parallel arrows
58. An ivory plaque bearing the image of a ship surrounded by six stars
59. A bloodstone candlestick which was recently given to you by a wandering peddler
60. A wooden ocarina which was recently given to you by an old minstrel
61. A crystalline vial filled with a strange iridescent fluid, hanging from a pewter chain
62. A dragon’s claw engraved with an evil symbol
63. A moonstone pyramid engraved with alchemical symbols
64. An obsidian candlestick which was recently given to you by a wandering peddler
65. A scarred pewter figurine of a troll warrior
66. A copper collar which was given to you to ward against a fell curse
67. An electrum coin defaced with a baleful symbol
68. A rock to wind a piece of string around
69. A carved wooden figurine of an elven warrior
70. A single silk glove with a strange symbol in the palm
71. A dragon’s fang entombed in glass
72. A silk handkerchief printed with a pentagram surrounded by alien symbols
73. An ivory plaque bearing the image of crossed swords beneath three stars
74. A brass sphere with a strange keyhole
75. A small petrified mouse
76. A small mirror etched with dozens of eyes
77. A dwarven pint tankard carved with a map of a legendary dungeon
78. A strange green egg marked with arcane symbols
79. A bronze torc crafted in the form of a winged serpent
80. An iron miniature of a castle set upon a base of flames carved from amber
81. A brass candlestick crafted in the form of a tower
82. A small leather pouch which conjures wisps of smoke when opened
83. A monstrous eye preserved in glass
84. A wooden shadow puppet of a wizard
85. A single silk glove with an alien symbol in the palm
86. An amulet crafted from a frost giant’s arrowhead on a pewter chain
87. A dwarven pint tankard carved with a map of a legendary dungeon
88. A carved wooden figurine of an elven warrior
89. A small mirror with a leather wrist strap
90. A bronze pyramid which keeps appearing in your dreams
91. An eight-sided die carved from jade
92. A small leather pouch of bottle corks
93. A crumpled piece of parchment covered with strange glyphs
94. A pewter amulet inscribed with a divine prophecy
95. A small leather pouch which conjures an iron key every morning
96. A small leather pouch of broken clockwork
97. A single silk glove embroidered with the initials I.A.
98. A silver arrow with two deliberate notches
99. A small leather pouch of lodestone marbles
100. Roll on Magic Item Table A in the DMG page 144

Disclaimer: This is a living document and subject to change based on playtest feedback.