Inspired by the rastipede from classic Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition Spelljammer campaign setting.

Source: adapted by Charles W. Plemons III

Rastipede

Rastipedes are the penultimate traders of the Known Spheres. Only the Arcane are more willing to exchange valuable goods, but the rastipedes seem unconcerned with such niceties as uniform pricing and fair dealing. A spacefarer who makes a deal with a rastipede is advised to count his money, his crew, and his limbs.

Physical Description: Rastipedes are insectoid centaurs with eight walking limbs and a vaguely humanoid torso with two upper "arms," all covered in a chitinous exoskeleton. Their heads have two large compound eyes, a chitinous mandible, and a pair of long, whiplike antennae.

Society: Rastipedes are not truly dishonest. They rarely renege on a bargain once struck, and as a rule they deliver their side of the bargain at the time and place specified. The problem is that the rastipedes delight in meeting the letter of the bargain, rather than the spirit. They are particularly fond of making a deal knowing that the other party is assuming something that is not true. They will sell you a lottery ticket with this week's winning numbers on it—but it will be last week's ticket. Rastipedes will buy and sell anything they think will be profitable, although most scrupulously obey smuggling and slave-trafficing laws.

Relations: Rastipedes' propensity for hard bargaining has brought the rastipedes in contact with the Arcane. In fact, rastipedes are favored henchmen of these mysterious traders. Very often, characters who seek an Arcane find themselves dealing with a rastipede go-between.

Alignment and Religion: The average rastipede is lawful neutral. They follow religions of wealth, trade, or insects.

Adventurers: Rastipedes are inherently peaceful and avoid combat whenever possible. However, they are not cowardly, and can (and do) use the full range of weapons usable by humans. Rastipedes tend to be fighters, wizards, rogues, or bards. They also tend toward multiclass combinations such as fighter/rogues, fighter/wizards, or wizard/rogues.

Names: Chak-tha, Chit'al, Drik-chkit, Gulnik, Kacht-ta, Kat'chka, Kiktul, Klaktuk, Krik, Pak'cha, Pik-ik-cha, Pok, Ptekwe, Tak-tha, Tal'tich, Tilnak, and Tik-tik

Rastipede Racial Traits

Rastipedes are an advanced race built on 21 race points. Check with your GM to see if this race is allowable.

+2 Constitution, +2 Intelligence, -2 Dexterity: Rastipedes are hardy and intelligent, but their hard exoskeletons impede their flexibility.

Large: Rastipedes are Large creatures and gain a +2 size bonus to Strength and a -2 size penalty to Dexterity. Rastipedes take a -1 size penalty to their AC, -1 size penalty to attack rolls, a +1 bonus on combat maneuver checks and to their CMD, and a -4 size penalty on Stealth checks. Rastipedes take up a space that is 10 feet by 10 feet and have a reach of 5 feet.

Monstrous Humanoid: Rastipedes are monstrous humanoids.

Cave Dweller: Rastipedes gain a +1 bonus on Knowledge (dungeoneering) and Survival checks made underground.

Darkvision: Rastipedes can see in the dark up to 60 feet.

Eight-Legged (Ex): Rastipedes possess two arms and eight legs, granting them a +12 racial bonus to CMD against trip attacks and a +10 foot bonus to their base speed.

Natural Armor (Ex): Rastipedes gain a +1 natural armor bonus to their Armor Class.

Scent (Ex): Rastipedes' antennae provide them with the scent ability.

Undersized Weapons (Ex): A rastipede's upper torso is smaller than the rest of its body, and it wield weapons one size category smaller than its actual size.

Languages: Rastipedes begin play speaking Common and Rastipede. Rastipedes with high Intelligence scores can choose from the following: Aklo, Dwarven, Elven, Giff, Goblin, Orc, and Undercommon.

Age, Height, and Weight Charts

Table: Racial Age and Aging

¹ This category includes barbarians, oracles, rogues, and sorcerers.

² This category includes bards, cavaliers, fighters, gunslingers, paladins, rangers, summoners, and witches.

³ This category includes alchemists, clerics, druids, inquisitors, magi, monks, and wizards.

Table: Racial Aging Effects

¹ At middle age, -1 to Str, Dex, and Con and +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha.

² At old age, -2 to Str, Dex, and Con and +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha.

³ At venerable age, -3 to Str, Dex, and Con and +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha.

Table: Random Height & Weight