Homebrew Encantado Species Details

I have heard many tales of these dolphin-folk. They've been known to come out at night to look for human concubines. If you happen to find yourself getting chummy with someone, its best to be careful, because they could lure you into the river, and you'll never be seen again.

— Dolvos Narnoga, Maranon River ferryman

Known locally by the Riverfolk of Maranon as the Boto, the Encantado are dolphin-like humans that have the head, body, and tail of a dolphin, but with the arms and legs of a human in place of flippers. They have an innate connection with wild magic, which it uses to enchant people, induce hallucinations, or shapeshift itself or others.

The Dolphins of Maranon

Before the encantado came to be, there was a pod of ordinary dolphins that lived playfully along the rivers of Maranon. These dolphins were particularly intelligent, using their smarts to capture fish and navigate the currents. One day, there was a group of manatees that were under attack by a river dragon. The dolphins intervened and defended the manatees from the dragon, using their wit and teamwork to defeat it. The manatees then revealed themselves to be a group of water nymphs in disguise, under the service of a water goddess named Maedorio. Grateful for their heroics, Maedorio gifted the dolphins with wild magic, and declared them to be defenders of the rivers and all that live within them.

The dolphins, however, would come to abuse this gift, using their new magical abilities to shapeshift themselves into humans to interact with the local Riverfolk of Maranon. There, they learned much about humans in the ways of their language and customs. But many others, however, indulged in their more carnal desires, cavorting with the local men and women. This resulted in the creation of the first encantado, which inherited traits from their human and dolphin parents. Unfortunately for the dolphins, Maedorio saw this act as a betrayal of her trust, as the humans who lived at the river were counted as those to be protected by the dolphins, and were instead exploited by them. For this, she took back their magic and banished them to the bottom of the river with their hybrid children. Unbeknownst to Maedorio and the dolphins, the children had inherited a small fraction of the gifted magic, becoming the first of the encantado.

Riverbed Prowlers

The encantado reside in cities built at the bottom of river basins within Maranon, which are called Encantes. Here, the encantado harvest for precious metals such as gold and platinum, which they use to build great wealth. Despite the wealth, the encantados yearn for more interactions with the humans, as their dolphin ancestors did. This has led to the encantado having multiple encounters with the Riverfolk, with most encounters being amicable. However, some encantado have done less than savory things to the Riverfolk, falling into the same trappings as their ancestors, and more so. Some encantados have been known to kidnap people, usually to turn them into encantados and bring them back to their Encantes. Despite this, many encantados will try to maintain connections with the people, usually so that they may acquire more of their culture, leading to the humans coming to respect them. Some encantado will patrol the rivers and will occasionally aid fishermen, guide boats through storms and rapid currents, and save some people from drowning. However, the Riverfolk equally fear them, as well, due to the fact that the kidnappings will happen if anyone is wandering around after dusk. Also, if an encantado were to be injured or killed by a human, they would inflict terrible hallucinations upon the attacker, driving them into a state of insanity.

Encantado Names

Having borrowed a good amount of language from the Riverfolk, the encantado language (known as Boto) is incredibly eloquent and and full of flattering euphanisms, while also incorporating a series of clicks and whistles retained from their dolphin heritage. Because of this, an encantado will usually have two first names and two last names, usually with some names being acquired through two encantados in union.

Male Encantado Names: Mikuel, Alonz, Porquill, Aspar, Sintago, Dartei

Female Encantado Names: Larona, Klarbel, Skariica, Margold, Bosha, Capaka

Encantado Traits

Your encantado character has the following racial traits.

Ability Score Increase

Your Charisma score increases by +2 and your Intelligence score increases by +1

Age

Encantados mature at the same rate as humans, and typically have similar lifespans.

Size

Encantados are typically larger than humans at 6 to 7 feet in length. Your size is Medium.

Hold Breath

You can hold your breath for up to 15 minutes at a time.

Echolocate

When in dark environments, you have Blindsight that utilizes a series of clicks and whistles to guide your way up to 60 feet. This trait also uncovers hidden objects and enemies.

Innate Spellcasting

You know the shape water cantrip. You can cast charm person an unlimited number of times with this trait. Starting at 3rd level, you can also cast enthrall, and at 7th level, you can cast polymorph to turn others into encantado like yourself. Once you cast it, you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Boto