Homebrew Gastrosapien Species Details

Physical Description

Gastrosapiens are large hulking bipedal snail people native to bogs and other humid areas. While known mostly for their durable shells, they also possess a soft body which is covered with a thick sap like mucus. While colors of their shells can range from swamp to swamp, the most common color of their flesh is a sickly semitransparent green with brown splotches.

History

Gastrosapiens are said to have originated from the snails that lived in what are now their swampy homes. These snails allegedly gained a higher intellect after a roaming band of mages abandoned a stock of potions near the water's edge. Soon after these enlightened snails' bodies grew with their minds, and became the beings that are seen today.

Society

Today, they can be seen in large bogs and swamps in the far south in crude villages made from the rotten wood and damp earth that surrounds them. These villages are governed by a council of elders, who are fiercely respected by villagers. Occasionally, a few will leave their homes in search of supplies for their village, or to find adventure away from their humble start. Regardless of their motivation, a Gastrosapien will venture tirelessly until they have accomplished their goal.

Gastrosapien Names

Gastrosapien names are usually soft and vowel filled, such as "Uugo". As Gastrosapiens are hermaphrodites, like normal snails, they don't worry about male or female specific names.

Gastrosapien Traits

Gastrosapiens are large bipedal snail creatures native to swamps and other wetland areas.
Ability Score Increase: As a Gastrosapien your Constitution  score increases by 2, and your Intelligence score increases by 1.
Age: The average lifespan of a Gastrosapien is comparable to that of a human's.
Alignment: Most follow a neutral path and will act within reason of their current situation.
Size: A Gastrosapien's height may range from around 5'4 to as tall as 6'8. Your size is Medium.
Speed: Your base walking speed is 25 feet. In addition, you may pass through swampy terrain or areas of waist-high water with no difficulty.
Soft Bodied. Your soft body is vulnerable to slashing and resistant to bludgeoning damage.
Hard Shelled. As an action, you may retreat into your shell. While in this state, you have a +4 bonus to your Armor Class, and you have advantage on Strength and Constitution saving throws, but every foot you move costs 4 additional feet, and you are incapacitated and prone until you stand up, costing half of your movement speed is normal.
Slick Mucus: Creatures attempting to grapple you have disadvantage to do so due to the thick coating of mucus. You may offer willing allies a coating of mucus to share this ability, however, they have disadvantage on Charisma checks while they are coated. This lasts for an hour, or until the ally bathes.
Languages: You can speak, read, and write Common and Gastrosapien. Gastrosapien is a sibilant language that uses the Elvish script.

Gastrosapien Traits

Gastrosapiens are large bipedal snail creatures native to swamps and other wetland areas.

Ability Score Improvement

As a Gastrosapien your Constitution score increases by 2, and your Intelligence score increases by 1.

Soft Bodied

Soft Bodied. Your soft body is vulnerable to slashing and resistant to bludgeoning damage.

Hard Shelled

Hard Shelled. As an action, you may retreat into your shell. While in this state, you have a +4 bonus to your Armor Class, and you have advantage on Strength and Constitution saving throws, but every foot you move costs 5 additional feet, and you are incapacitated and prone until you stand up, costing half of your movement speed is normal.

Slick Mucus

Slick Mucus. Creatures attempting to grapple you have disadvantage to do so due to the thick coating of mucus. You may offer willing allies a coating of mucus to share this ability, however, they have disadvantage on Charisma checks while they are coated. This lasts for an hour, or until the ally bathes.

Languages

Languages: You can speak, read, and write Common and Aquan. Aquan is a sibilant language that uses the Elvish script.