Homebrew Anthrocephalic Species Details

Anthrocephalic

Anthrocephali is an ancient and strange humanoid race who have lived deep beneath the sea, besmirched by aberrations and ancient evils alike. Often considered a friendly and playful race, they are known to take part in wild adventures. The more wild and quirky the team the better they can adapt, often viewing other exotic races as having more in common with themselves.

Lovecraftian Horror

Big as a human, composed of a mass of tentacles, the Anthrocephali are often downplayed do their appearance. They are pretty readily apparent to look like Cephalopods that mimic humans, their glistening, rubbery skin and soft flesh has a noticeable level of undulation to itself. Their Tentacles move in curvy, twisting ways that move unnaturally smoothly despite the strange arrangement they uphold they use their tentacles in. They have four "arms" that are commonly intertwined, to make 2 each, to better fit into the clothing most races wear, meanwhile the other four fit together to create two legs for the two of them to fit the appearance of legs. 

Anthrocephalic often come in "rusted" metallic colors to brighter, more intricate colors. They can even come in different, strange patterns that one could never hope to find creatures on the surface containing. These skin colors are not even considered solid appearances, as the Anthrocephalic can change these colors to varying degrees; they most often use them to reflect moods rather than anything else; however, some are so skilled with them that they can even use them for camouflage. However, their tendencies to use their skin color to reflect moods can often make it hard to trick or deceive those that have common encounters with them.

Mimicking the look of Cephalopods, they have a large nasty beak hidden under two tentacles that sprout from under their large, beady black eyes that spot themselves on the sides of their heads. These large eyes allow them to see in front, on the sides, and back of their heads.

Amphibious Creatures

Despite sharing the traits of mostly aquatic creatures, Anthrocephalic are actually known to exist quite comfortably both on land and underwater. Their strange, eldritch form allows them to quite easily survive the incredible pressure of the depths of the water, while also easily using the same skin and organs to take their place on land as well. Despite this, Anthrocephalic are often seen keeping their skin well hydrated and moisturized in any way or shape they can, but contrary to popular belief they don't suffer any major consequences from not being able to do this, instead they become quite moody and cranky, a far cry from their normal mannerisms. 

Eldritch Companionship

To these deep-dwelling bipedal Cephalopods, friendship and trust mean everything. They often value those who they consider themselves loyal to far above even treasures or wealth. It's often considered rather surprising to most land-dwelling creatures just how willing these strange creatures are to converse and become friends, even equals with those that they surround themselves with. These creatures form life long bonds with those they find suitably similar to their own personality types, in many cases leading to one-sided friendships where they may even abandon their own morals to work with their new-found friends. From the time they are laid as eggs to their own eventual deaths, they are taught the values of necessity of loyalty and companionship above all else.

When interacting with other races, it's readily apparent how silly and mischevious they have the tendency to be, often times finding themselves to be the butt of the joke or prank the Anthrocephalic are playing. Though, it should be noted their pranks are never, at least intentionally, harmful, just playful and lighthearted. It should be noted that due to the value they put on things like friendship, they often go above and beyond to correct any wrongs or issues their pranks may have caused. 

Inexplicably Vilified

These whimsically friendly Eldritch-like beings are often viewed in negative lights due to their alien appearance. This race itself has existed for longer than almost any other intelligent race has existed on the planet, however due to their appearance, and some more negative variations of their society, they are commonly seen as a negative species. Above this, a lot of creatures view them as having some sort of connection to the Eldritch beings of the depths like Krakens, Cthulhu himself, and several other rumors are spread; perhaps as a prank or some well-known clause of simply not wishing to talk about it, most Anthrocephalic will refuse to talk about it, some even becoming grumpy and irate when pushed about it too much. Many times calling them things like Squid, Octopus, Kraken, or even Calamari are meant to be insults to them, but a majority of them don't seem too bothered by this prejudice against them, as this comes across as playful name calling.

Anthrocephalic Traits

Anthrocephalic Racial Traits

Age

Anthrocephalic are theoretically without age, however most of the elders disappear after 600 years or so. They reach maturity after 40 years of age.

Alignment

The Anthrocephalic tend to follow a Chaotic Good alignments on their own, however they can be a bit more flimsy on this alignment. This often can vary based upon their traveling group.

Size

Anthrocephalic are typically considered Medium size, standing similar to height to most humans. 

Amphibious

Anthrocephalic are Amphibious, able to live and breathe on both land and water.

Damage Resistance

Rubbery skin and boneless atomy gives the Anthrocephalic a resistance to bludgeoning damage.

Darkvision

An Anthrocephalic can see in pitch black darkness up to 30ft and discern color around them when they aren't in the water, when they aren't in the water they can see up to 60ft and discern color.

Tentacles

Your four tentacles can act as either two arms, or four individual arms. These individual arms can wield: separate, simple, light weapons. They can also do simple actions like push, lift, hold, etc. When it comes to making strength checks to move things, Anthrocephalic has Advantage on things. 

Above this, you can also use these arms to wild shields or make unarmed attacks.

Languages

Anthrocephalic are quick learners in terms of languages, allowing you to know: Anthrocephalic, Common, and one Other.