Homebrew Selachian Race Details

Selachians

Residing in deep oceans and great seas, the Selachians, sometimes called Shark-people, evoke fear and wonder. Many Selachians aren’t even native to the Material Plane. They hail from a world beyond—from the endless expanses of the Elemental Plane of Water. They are a very varied people, and when not in isolation, work by the sea as sailors, pirates, and merchants, always longing for their independence.

Fins and Gills

From above, Selachians may look much like regular sharks. Only when surfacing to seize a prey or for meeting an individual does their humanoid appearance reveal itself.

Although different subraces may present some differences in appearance, all of them are covered by a thick hide and posses fins stretching from their lower necks. Their color varies from subrace to subrace, but most posses white hide on the front of their bodies, and brown or blue hide on their backs.

Ocean Dwellers

Selachians are at home in the sea, and in their natural habitat are fearsome and dreaded. Great Selachians, the biggest and strongest subrace, usually live in the great expanses of the open ocean, where they find the biggest and toughest prey.

Hunter Selachians live in shallower waters, especially near cave systems, where they are able to find many opportunities for stalking and chasing their prey.

Reef Selachians, the smallest and most agile of the three, live in shallow reef waters, where they group up with others of their kind to hunt.

Native Hunters

Selachians are born hunters, and spend most of their lives in this role. Their jaws and fast swimming make them superb underwater predators.

Even though hunting is the primary source of food, recreation and purpose, different subraces might have different approaches to hunting.

Great Selachians usually hunt alone, and attack their enemies head-on, using their using their strength to overwhelm their opponents and quickly tear them to pieces

Hunter Selachians take a different approach, stalking their prey for long periods of time, looking for an opportunity to exploit. They usually go for old or already hurt prey, as these are easier to track.

Reef Selacchians are different, as they do not hunt alone, and use numbers to overpower their opponents

Territorial Creatures

Selachians live isolated from all other sentient races, in territories in the ocean they conquer from beasts and other water-dwelling races. In these territories, Selachians hunt and breed, and even though many members of the same group may inhabit the same area, they usually avoid each other, focusing on their own survival.

During the mating season, males and females may get together to breed, but soon after the male returns to his territory to continue his previous life.

One exception to this are the Reef Selachians, who live together in bands, with which they hunt and reside.

But even these group dwelling Selachians are extremely territorial creatures, and do not tolerate any intruders in their residence. When such intrusion occurs, many Selachians respond to it with force, driving the intruders out or killing them in order to protect their hunting and their territory.

Although not very prone to showing it, Selachians do posses a great bond to their kin, and can be very fierce to defend others of their race. Selachians who spend a long time with other races may develop similar sentiments for them, but are always reluctant to show it.

Fierce Isolationists

Selachians enjoy peace and isolation. Most of them have little interest in dealing with other peoples and less interest in spending time on the ground. For this reason, it takes an exceptional circumstance for a Selachian to leave his or her territory and undertake the adventurer’s life.

As they are driven mostly by their primal hunting instincts, the prospect of a bigger, fiercer prey may attract the strongest and most boastful, while the promise of power and security for kin may drive the most rational.

Selachian Names

Because of their fairly independent and lonely life, most Selachians have no name. Those who interact with other races often adopt names kin to those of the race they interact with. Without clan names,, they usually adopt last names that relate to their most defining traits, be it physical, mental, or an accomplishment.

These are a few possible last names for a Selachian: “Great Bite”, “Quick Swim”, “Blood Tracker”, etc.

Selachian Traits

Your Selachian character has, due to his underwater origins, that are shared by all Selachians

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution Score increases by 1.

Age

Selachians mature relatively quickly, and are considered adult at 15 years of age. Usually, they don't live very long, and reach about 45 years on average.

Alignment

Most Selachians are are Chaotic, and value their independence and following their natural instincts. They usually don't take sides in the fight of good or evil, and prefer to remain neutral.

Size

Selachian sizes vary between different subraces. Their sizes are further detailed in each specific sub race. For all subraces, your size is medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet, and you have a swimming speed of 50 feet.

Darkvision

Accustomed to life underwater, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern colour in darkness, only shades of grey.

Bite Weapon

You gain an unarmed Bite attack that deals 1d4 plus your Strength modifier piercing damage. You are Proficient with this attack and may use your Strength or Dexterity for the attack roll.

Amphibious

You can breathe air and water.

Blood Frenzy

You gain advantage on attack rolls against targets who are below half their maximum hit-points. This Ability does not work against constructs, some elementals and other creatures that do not possess blood.

Languages

You can speak, read and write Common and Aquan.