Homebrew Fishman Species Details

Fish-men, along with Merfolk, are one of the two races of humanoids that inhabit the sea. Fish-men are a roughly equal mix of Human and Fish, with human-like appendages and faces crossed with sea creatures such as sharks, blowfish, and other fish. They also have gills between their shoulders and necks, as well as often having webbed hands. Some species of fish-men may have extra appendages depending what on what species of fish they represent.

 

Fish-men have both lungs and gills, which allow them to breathe underwater and on land. Their webbed fingers and agile bodies allow them to move quickly in water for as long as they want. Some fish-men use their naturally strong bodies and unique features as a reason to believe they are superior to Humans. Despite these beliefs, fish-men often end up being the ones to become enslaved and oppressed by Humans, which drives their hatred for them even further. However, not all fish-men think this way and can actually get along well with humans as equals.

 

Oppressed. Like other non-human races, fish-men are the victims of world-wide oppression by humans. Due to this, many fish-men stay within the confines of fish-man island and only occasionally leave. Some evil fish-men have opted to be pirates to seek revenge against humanity. Unfortunately, several also end up as slaves under the world government. Even on islands not directly under world government jurisdiction, humans still treat fish-men very unfairly. For this reason, playing a fish-man can prove very different when visiting various human-inhabited islands around the sea.

 

Domination. Though they are often misunderstood, many fish-men do hold the belief that they should rule over all other fish in the sea. And due to the cruel treatment they receive from humans, some grow to also want to conquer and rule over humanity as a whole. This isn't true of all fish-men though, as many do exhibit the desire to co-exist with other races and species.

 

Overwhelming Strength. As well as being born with bodies that provide natural weapons in battles, such as razor-sharp teeth, fish-men have incredibly strong bodies compared to average people. From birth, fish-men are ten times stronger than humans. Additionally, fish-men can be even more troublesome in underwater combat. Being even stronger underwater, they can easily devastate a human who isn't proficient at swimming. Unfortunately, this strength can be negated if a fish-man happens to be a Devil Fruit user.

Fishman Traits

Breeding among fish-people resulted in three main subraces: Shark, Manta Ray, or Octopus variants. Choose one of these Subraces or create your own and add its traits to your racial features alongside the ones listed above.

Adapted to the sea

With the ability to adapt to extreme underwater depths, you have Resistance to cold damage.

Fishmen Combat

Being trained in underwater combat, you can control the flower of water in devastating ways. You can cast Shape Water with this trait. Starting at 3rd Level, you can cast Tidal Wave with it, and starting at 5th Level, you can also cast Wall of Water with it. You can Cast a Spell with this trait with the same numer of levels you have, you can't cast that spell with it again until you finish a Long Rest. Charisma is your Spellcasting Ability for these Spells.

Amphibious

You can breathe air and water.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Fish-men reach adulthood in their teens and live for around a century.

Underwater Athlete

You have proficiency in the Athletics skill. While underwater, you face no penalties or disadvantage as a result of underwater combat rules.

Size

Fish-men are between 7 and 8 feet tall and weigh between 280 and 340 pounds on average. Your size is medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Thanks to your fishman blood, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions from living in the depths of the ocean.

Savage Attacks

When you score a critical hit with a melee weapon attack, you can roll one of the weapon’s damage dice one additional time and add it to the extra damage of the critical hit.

Languages

Fish-men can all speak and understand the universal spoken language of this world. Additionally, using gestures and sounds, you can communicate simple ideas with any beast that has an innate Swimming speed.