Holocron

Noghri

Medium species · Honoghr
sourceECsizeMedium
New in SW5eA brand-new SW5e option: a medium, claw-wielding stealth assassin with a keen sense of smell, built for ambushes and close-quarters defense. Think of a rogue with natural claws and scent-tracking, specializing in loyal, discreet bodyguard work.✨
Noghri
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Precision assassin: finesse unarmed strikes, Stealth and Survival proficiency, jump attacks that trip targets, and keen smell tracking.
Honor-bound gray-skinned hunters from Honoghr, legendary as assassins and bodyguards whose loyalty is absolute once pledged.
duelistscoutmelee-bruiser
●●○weight · 1d4 finesse, trip, two skills
Ability focusDexterity-first with a Strength bump — a fast, hard-hitting skirmisher.
Standout traits
  • Unarmed Combatant — unarmed strikes deal 1d4 kinetic damage and have the finesse property
  • Powerful Leap — after a 10-foot running approach, a melee hit lets you attempt to trip the target prone
  • Hunter — proficiency in both Survival and Stealth
!Powerful Leap recharges on a short rest, and the trip attempt requires the running approach — tight spaces or difficult terrain can shut it down.
stealthynatural-weaponssurvivalmobile
Pairs witha Dexterity melee class such as Operative or Scout · a grapple or prone-exploitation build · a stealth-and-ambush party role

Biology and Appearance

Noghri are a primitive humanoid species hailed from the planet Honoghr with steely gray-blue skin that are renowned assassins. A natural gift for stealth and hand-to-hand combat, Noghri are efficient killing machines with their rending claws and strong olfactory sense that can often determine familial lineage. Their smaller size belies their ruthlessness and potent hunting skills.

Society and Culture

Noghri culture relies heavily on honor, with society being clan-based, revolving around the Dukha, a community center in each village. The greatest strength of the Noghri stems from their loyalty and secrecy; when a Noghri takes a job, they always fulfill it, even if it would result in their death. As such, they make exceptional, albeit expensive bodyguards.

Noghri are loathe to fight with weapons larger than small daggers, believing combat to be a personal celebration to be sullied by use of heavier weapons. As such, it is rare (though not impossible) to see a Noghri wielding a weapon larger than their forearm.

Each Noghri clan village centers around the Dukha, with each clan being led by a Dynast. The Dukha is inhabited by the clan's Maitrakh, who functions as the storyteller, spiritual leader, and lore keep of the clan.

Names

Noghri names vary from short to long, with female names being typically softer. Surnames are clan-based.

Male Names. Cakhmaim, Ezrakh, Khabarakh, Rukh

Female Names. Cilnaas, Edvir, Kahr'corvh, Meewalh

Surnames. Bakh'tor, Eikh'mir, Hakh'khar, Khim'bar

Distinctions. Advanced olfactory senses, claws, hunting prowess.

Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Strength score increases by 1.

Age. Noghri reach adulthood in their late teens and live less than a century.

Alignment. Noghri's honorable society causes them to tend toward a lawful alignment, though there are exceptions.

Size. Noghri typically stand about 5 feet tall and weigh around 150 lbs. Regardless of your position in that range, your size is Medium.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Hunter. You are proficient in Survival and Stealth.

Keen Smell. You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.

Powerful Leap. If you jump at least 10 feet in a straight line before hitting with a melee weapon attack, you can attempt to trip the target prone as part of the same attack. Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Strong-Legged. When you make a long jump, you can cover a number of feet up to twice your Strength score. When you make a high jump, you can leap a number of feet up into the air equal to 3 + twice your Strength modifier.

Unarmed Combatant. Your unarmed strikes deal 1d4 kinetic damage and have the finesse property.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Galactic Basic and Honorghran. Honorghran is characterized by its scratchy, gutteral sounds.