Homebrew Octoling Species Details

Calamari Cousins

Squid were not the only aquatic creatures to become races that walk the land. Octopuses evolved into a race of varying creatures- the octarians. The most notable of these being the octolings, an ink-based species very similar to their squid-based cousins. Like inklings, they have the ability to control their Ink and shift into a smaller form, and some may even say that octolings are far more similar to inklings than any other octarians. They have Ink-colored tentacles (though they have four larger ones shaped more like an octopus, including suction cups), purple markings underneath their eyes, and a general range of skin tones matching that of humans. Most octolings have green eyes, but can also have the other colors that inklings have.

Rough Beginnings

Years ago, inklings and octarians had been locked into a battle known as the Great Turf War. The area of land where both races had surfaced was small, and being unable to cooperate, they fought over it. Eventually, whether it was from superior skill or luck, the inklings won. They sent the octarians far away, into lands unknown. Free land was hard to find for octarians, and thus, most found themselves settling in with other races or tougher and dangerous places to live in (such as badlands, far-off islands, and caves. It is thought that a few may have also fled into the Underdark). Ultimately they did claim their own land- a shallow, distant area between a group of hills named Octo Valley.

Soldiers of Octavio

Octolings that live in Octo Valley are more often than not soldiers for their leader, an octarian of unknown subspecies- Octavio. While most inklings have forgotten about the Great Turf Wars and now enjoy freedom, octarians, under Octavio, constantly train for battle. The leader of the octarian side in the Great Turf War, Octavio hopes to one day come back to rule the land, and destroy the inklings. Alas, the valley generally lacks resoursces that would allow them to get very far. As such, most octarians live and train aimlessly. The rest live in large cities - typically in minority enclaves - and do not need to worry about living the life of a soldier.

Octoling Names

Many octoling soldiers are essentially nameless, coming up with a name for themselves as they grow up to create some individuality. Those that are not in Octo Valley have names that reflect the area they were born in.

Octoling Traits

As an octoling, you share many of your traits with inklings, with your main difference being your octopus ancestory.
Ability score increases. Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1.
Age. Octolings develop their ability to change form at 14, but are considered mature at 17, aging similarly to humans.
Size. Octolings have a range of heights, from 4 to 6 feet. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Alignment. An octoling's alignment can greatly vary due to where they were born. Soldiers of Octavio are almost always evil-aligned, following his commands without hesitation. Those that are free from this can be any assortment of alignments, ex-soldiers that reject a military upbringing and the evil that surrounded them typically being chaotic.
Ink-based. You have the same Ink, Ink Color, Super Jump, and Hydrophobic traits that inklings do (see above for more information).
Octopus Form. At will, you can switch between a humanoid and an octopus form. This functions like an inkling's Squid Form.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and either Octarian or another language of your choice. Octarian has the same script as Common Inkling, but uses it differently.

The Inkling Language

Inkling, of course, is the most common language used between inklings (though most also know Common). It is a confusing language that non-speakers can easily mistake for pointless, squeaky gibberish when spoken. Depending on the area where an Inkling was raised, they may speak a certain dialect. The Inkling script consists of several sets of symbols. Like their culture, inklings take to others for inspiration for the symbols they use for letters and words; having some that look like those used in other languages. To simplify the language, the table below lists the most commonly used set.

Octoling Traits

As an octoling, you share many of your traits with inklings, with your main difference being your octopus ancestory. Ability score increases. Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1. Age. Octolings develop their ability to change form at 14, but are considered mature at 17, aging similarly to humans. Size. Octolings have a range of heights, from 4 to 6 feet. Your size is Medium. Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet. Alignment. An octoling's alignment can greatly vary due to where they were born. Soldiers of Octavio are almost always evil-alligned, following his commands without hesitation. Those that are free from this can be any assortment of allignments, ex-soldiers that reject a military upbringing and the evil that surrounded them typically being chaotic. Ink-based. You have the same Ink, Ink Color, Super Jump, and Hydrophobic traits that inklings do (see above for more information). Octopus Form. At will, you can switch between a humanoid and an octopus form.

Ability Score Increases

Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1.

Age

Octolings develop their ability to change form at 14, but are considered mature at 17, aging similarly to humans.

Size

Octolings have a range of heights, from 4 to 6 feet. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Alignment

An octoling's alignment can greatly vary due to where they were born. Soldiers of Octavio are almost always evil-aligned, following his commands without hesitation. Those that are free from this can be any assortment of alignments, ex-soldiers that reject a military upbringing and the evil that surrounded them typically being chaotic.

Octopus Form

At will, you can switch between a humanoid and an octopus form. The initial change may be done as a bonus action, and then you can change back once more (for example, in humanoid form you may switch to squid form, move, then switch back to humanoid form. However, you must remain in the form you used last until your next turn.) If you are a druid, your octopus form does not count as a Wild Shape.
In octopus form, the following rules apply:

• You may swim in Ink of your own color, on both the ground and up walls (but not across ceilings) as part of your normal speed. You may also attempt to Hide in your own Ink. Out of Ink, you can only move 10 feet.
• As an octopus, you are considered to be Small size and can fit through spaces smaller than yourself (given that there is an opening) with no penalties. You can only switch back to humanoid form if you are in an area with enough room for a Medium creature.
• You cannot cast spells, attack, or use items. You do not break your concentration on a spell you have already cast, and you can take actions part of any spells you had cast before changing. You retain the benefit of features from your class, and the effect of any spells cast on you.
• Your equipment merges into your form and does not affect you until you turn back.
• You have advantage while trying to resist Grapple or Restrain effects.
• If you become unconscious, are reduced to 0 hit points, fall asleep, knocked prone, or incapacitated, you automatically change back to your humanoid form (unless there is not enough room) and cannot change forms until the effect has subsided.

Hydrophobic

You have disadvantage on attack rolls made while in water, and take 1d4 acid damage every turn if submerged in it due to osmosis. Attacks and spells made of mostly liquid water (such as a tidal wave spell) deal an extra 1d4 acid damage to you. This damage cannot be resisted. The DM can choose to have this trait not effect you when you are under the effects of a water walk or water breathing spell.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and either Inkling or another language of your choice.

Ink Color

Like most octolings, you have a 'default' Ink color. Initially, choose a color that isn't black, white, or grey to be yours. Once a day, when you finish a short rest, you may change your color to one of the following: blue, yellow, orange, pink, green, purple, or your default color (if you are not it currently). This determines the color of your tentacles, squid form, and the Ink that you shoot. You can only swim in Ink of your own exact color. If on the ground, Ink of any other color than yours counts as difficult terrain for you when you try to walk though it.

Super Jump

As an action, you can turn into squid form and propel yourself into the air to land next to one of your allies. You cannot Super Jump to an ally that is more than 60 feet way, or one that cannot be seen. If an attack hits you mid-jump, your jump ends and you instantly fall down and take the appropriate amount of fall damage. You can’t use this feature again until you finish a long rest.

Ink

As a bonus action, you can shoot a 30 ft long line of Ink that is your current Ink color. If this Ink is shot at a creature, they must make a Dexterity saving throw (The DC for this saving throw equals 8 + your Constitution modifier + your proficiency bonus) or be covered in Ink until the end of its turn. Once on your turn, you can deal extra damage to that target when you deal damage to it with an attack or a spell. The extra damage equals half your level, rounded down (minimum of 1). This damage is the same damage type as the weapon or spell used. Only one creature can be covered at a time.