Homebrew Axolotladam Species Details

And a lone wandering Lizardfolk was stuck in the mud- at least, I'd thought. Upon approaching, it gazed upon me with beady, pleading eyes, harboring a gentle smile. Almost pathetic really, the way it begged wordlessly like a mutt fishing for food scraps. I offered it a branch to take hold of before hoisting it out of the bog. It repaid me in kind with some odd trinkets of its culture made from bones and shells, as well as a few gold coins before tromping back through the swamp. 

— Diary of an Unknown Traveler

Many adventurers can go their entire lives without even hearing about this illusive race of solitary nomads. The axolotladam, while being a mouthful to say, are a rarely observed amphibious offshoot of Lizardfolk that take on many qualities of typical Merfolk. Small and clumsy, it's impressive their ability to handle fine crafts such as sewing, painting, and carving. You wouldn't think of this stout creature being a fearsome hunter in the wild. On land, this assumption is true: the short limbs of the axolotladam make for poor maneuvering out of the water, however in their natural habitat they are adept at catching small fish and searching for crustaceans. Being nomads, their species doesn't have any one social culture to call back to and prefers to rely on instincts and the teachings of other races around them. They undergo a yearly estrus cycle in the warmer months to assure the species continues. Rarely, you'll find these amphibians being kept as exotic pets by affluent families, and this recent trend has spawned an underground trade for younglings of the axolotladam race.

Clumsy Land Dwellers

It's fairly known amongst those familiar with the axolotladam that they have poor dexterity on land. Although amphibious, their limbs aren't long like that of a Human or Elf, so they cannot climb well (if at all). These small humanoids hobble around when walking, but perhaps due to their loving nature, they enjoy being carried and will allow anyone to carry them if willing to pick them up.

This innocent appearance on land is betrayed when in the water. They can move incredibly quickly if they choose and make quick work of any poor sea creature smaller than them. Usually though, they are seen just lazily idling by and letting the current drift them off.

Affectionate and Curious

 

Blood bonds between the axolotladam are very rare outside of the pet trade, but their appreciation for the other races has gained them a reputation for being the dogs of the Lizardfolk world. They can and will try to befriend anything they don't see as a predator or threat and are notorious for their ability to raise morale in groups with their antics. Axolotladam appear happiest when in consistent groups with those they've come to know and love.

 

ENCOURAGING AND CARING

If an Axolotladam imprints on you, you are stuck with it for the rest of its life. Their deep bonds work well with highly social races, which is what put them on the black market in the first place. 

Dwarves. “They don't talk much outside of meals or drinking. Trying to make them smile is hard, and it's always an accomplishment when they do. Don't let them fool you, though; they form strong bonds like us, even if they don't show it very much.”

Tabaxi. “Horrifying. If I wanted something to look at me like food, I would have went to a harbor and laid myself on the butcher's table.”

Humans. “Humans are the best, most of the time! There's a few rotten ones, but they're so much more likely to smile and cuddle! Things get them down very easily, though. Maybe it's because they live longer than most of the beasts they tame. The concept of death is very hard on most of them.”

Often Quiet, but Adept Thinkers and Speakers

On their travels the axolotladam are commonly thought as stupid or uncivilized due to how rarely they talk or express what's on their mind. Contrarily, their brains are just as advanced as that of a human due to their larger head size. While they can feel a wide range of emotions, including fear, sorrow, anger, and disgust, they often choose not to express these negative qualities for the betterment of their chosen families. Even facing death, they put the feelings of those they love before themselves and will try to comfort their families until the axolotladam's own end. They're more than capable of speech, although unless you have a particularly chatty axolotladam, this is usually reserved for deeper conversations or when in need of something. They usually make a wide range of chirps, hums, clicks, and squeaks to express their current feelings.

 

Axolotladam Traits

When a halfling met a weird salamander and had a one night stand-

Wet Skin

The Axolotladam, being salamander-like, have a perpetually moist skin. Although this doesn't usually make them any easier to grab and hold, it does grant them resistance to fire damage and vulnerability to cold damage.

Freaks of Nature

The Axolotladam have the ability to regenerate limbs and even organs over the course of a year, however this doesn't prevent them from dying from otherwise mortal wounds if they are not treated.

Ability Score Increase

Your constitution score increases by 2.

Age

The Axolotladam age rapidly, reaching maturity at about 6 years of age and living to be around 50.

Alignment

Axolotladam are almost always good. They want the best for those around them, and this shows in their dedication to their group. Although generally beholden to no true kings or royalty due to their social structure, their chosen group members are seen as higher than them and as setting the 'rules' to follow.

Size

Axolotladam average about 4 feet tall and weigh about 50 pounds. Your size is Small.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 15 feet, and your base swimming speed is 40 feet.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Primordial (Aquan). It's very likely that someone is going to comment on how poor your writing is, however you at least have the ability to do it. The Axolotladam are born knowing how to speak and read, although the process for this is unstudied. Writing generally comes with aid from party members and other civilizations. There is no written history of the Axolotladam aside from descriptions that travelers and those they've visited have penned down.