Homebrew Merfolk (Fixed from ArrowManiac's) Species Details

A New Form of Life

 Down bellow the deep waves of Aestra dwell a the long forgotten race of sea elves, otherwise known as the Nix. Over the years, a relationship has begun to blossom between the Nix and the dry land folk. Some have even fallen in love and have created a new form of life. This union between a land dweller and a Nix is known as the Merfolk. Merfolk may make their homes on land or at sea. They are very well suited for either terrain. When in water, the Merfolk transform their legs into beautiful fish tails which they can use to swim freely.

 

A Long Forgotten People

The sea elves were created by the elemental titan, Archomental during the Era of Titans. After the Titans were defeated, the sea elves, not wanting to involve themselves with the surface dwellers, hid themselves among the waves. There, they created their own civilization using powerful ocean magic. Because of their lack of contact with the surface world, they began worshiping their own pantheon. Kypolisia, goddess of the ocean, is akin to Umberlee. Mageia, goddess of magic, is the same as Mystra. Beyoupeia, goddess of beauty, is akin to Sune. Eos, goddess of the moon, is the same as Selune. They became so estranged that the surface dwellers and the ocean dwellers forgot about one another. The Nix thought they were the only people on the planet until many years after the Titan war when they were rediscovered.

 

 Beyond the Sea

In the present era, the people who dwell on land have discovered the existence of the Nix. Some are hostile toward them, wanting nothing to do with monstrous looking people who resemble their former masters. Others have embraced them, welcoming them and allowing them to explore bodies of water beyond the ocean. Some Nix live in lakes and streams and other have moved closed to the shores and coastlines.

 

 A Beautiful Union

The Merfolk are born of a union between a Nix and a surface race. Because of their split bloodline, Merfolk have developed the ability to grow legs and walk on land. The Merfolk are viewed as the bridge between the surface and ocean dwellers.

 

Merfolk Names

Merfolk receive multiple names at birth, one name representing their surface dweller parent and one representing their Nix parent. The Merfolk will choose which name they wish to go by when they reach the age of maturity. Whichever name they choose represents the domain they will be spending most of their life in. Their surface names use the same naming conventions as whichever surface race is their parent.

Male Names: Angelos, Minos, Omiros, Savvas, Spiros, Tasos, Yianni

Female Names: Aris, Hera, Katina, Leto, Marieta, Mirto, Violeta

Family Names: Athides, Baralli, Logas, Pardaki, Peras

(Created by ArrowManiac)

Merfolk (Fixed from ArrowManiac's) Traits

As a merfolk, you have the following racial traits.

Creature Type

You are a Humanoid.

Size

You are Medium.

Speed

Your walking speed is 30 feet.

Amphibious

You can breathe air and water.

Call of the Wave

You can cast shape water with this trait. Starting at 3rd level, you can cast the create or destroy water spell with this trait as a 2nd-level spell once with this trait, and you regain the ability to cast it this way when you finish a long rest. Constitution is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Darkvision

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 discern colors in that darkness only as shades of gray.

Tail Shift

You can spend a bonus action to change from legs to tail or vice versa. While your tail is out, your walking speed becomes 10 ft and swim speed becomes 40 ft.

Ocean Born

You have advantage on any Acrobatics checks and Dexterity saving throws while fully submerged in water and Nature checks that involve the ocean.