Homebrew Cecaelia Species Details

Before the Cataclysm, cecaelia were known to live in small, nomadic groups at various depths of the oceans and lakes of Aeo; now, they live in the largest remaining bodies of water both fresh and salty, preferring to remain isolated from most of land-dwelling society. Most humanoid people, with the exception of tritons and some water genasi, have forgotten the existence of cecaelia.

Cecaelia are aquatic humanoids which bear a strong resemblance to octopuses. They have human-like torsos, which are typically slender; however, even above the waist, there are marked differences between a cecaelia and a human. They have gills on the sides of their necks, and their eyes are all one solid color. Their hair also appears to consist of tentacles. These appendages, however, are not capable of independent movement, and serve no essential purpose. Cecaelia may have developed such pseudo-tentacles so as to confuse predators.

Below their waists, cecaelia have powerful tentacles in place of legs. These long, thick limbs are dexterous enough for both swimming and walkings, and are covered in suckers. Even while stationary, a cecaelia's tentacles are typically in constant motion, independently feeling out the environment around them and stabilizing their body.

Cecaelia tentacle skin tones tend to be quite colorful, ranging all over the color spectrum, with their more humanoid portions being more muted and greyish. They also have some amount of control over this flamboyant color, and can use it to display some minimal camouflage. They will revert to their normal colors when not concentrating on blending into their surroundings.

(Description modified from D&DWiki's "Cecaelia (5e Race)")
(Concept art by: Olena Gongalo on Artstation "Mermaid")

Cecaelia Traits

As a cecaelia, you have the following traits.

Creature Type

You are an aquatic Humanoid.

Size

You are Medium.

Speed

Your walking speed is 25 feet, and you have a swimming speed of 35 feet.

Child of the Deep

You can breathe air and water, and you have resistance to cold damage.

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.

Friend of the Sea

Aquatic animals have an extraordinary affinity with your people. You can communicate simple ideas to any Beast that has a swimming speed. It can understand the meaning behind your words, though you have no special ability to understand it in return.

Compression

The internal skeleton of a cecaelia's upper torso is made of cartilaginous tissue far more flexible than bone, and their lower body tentacles are composed of fluid vessels that allow them to stretch, expand, and contract. A cecaelia can squeeze through spaces up to 2 feet square with no penalties, and 1 foot square with normal squeezing penalties. Weapons, armor, and other items carried must also be able to fit through the space to use this ability.