Homebrew Gekkota Species Details

The Gekkota are a rare reptilian, humanoid, species and resemble geckos, tails included. Their origins are unknown, even to themselves. They are mostly solitary so have little in the way of personal culture. They can form colonies but still keep to themselves - they are close enough for safety and reproduction but rarely form any bonds. They favour tropical, warmer, climates but are happy enough in most environment types including mountains, forests and swamps. They are usually nocturnal and often have carnivorous diets. They are typically rather small creatures, averaging 3 to 4 feet but some can be bigger, up to 6 feet in height. They commonly have lean builds relying on their quick reflexes for hunting and escaping. 

Gekkota, much like geckos, come in wide variety of colours. Some may have slight scales where others are more sleek. Some may have vibrant colours with different coloured spots or stripes while others have just one colour. This extends to their eyes as well, with some having eyes with multiple colours and some having eyes with single colours. Some have slit-pupils and others have pupils that seem almost diamond shapes like a rhombus. Many lack eyelids and moisten their eyeballs by licking them periodically with a long tongue. They lack any hair on their bodies.

Gekkota are not raised by parents. They hatch and are already mobile and able to hunt and care for themselves. Reproduction is mostly for survival of species than anything else. As a result, most Gekkota do not have names as they have no real need of them.

In very rare moments a Gekkota is hatched a little different - they seek adventure, they seek busy civilisation and may develop more personable personalities. Some completely abandon their species' aloofness and become even sociable. These rare Gekkota would probably be seen as outcasts if Gekkota, in general, had any community to cast them out from. They usually find societies to become a part of and might even take names for themselves from the cultures they have encountered.

Gekkota Traits

As a Gekkota you have the following traits:

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1.

(Tasha's custom options are supported, if you wish to change these.)

Age

Gekkota are hatched immediately able to fend for themselves but reach full adulthood after 2 years. They can live to be up to about 80 years old.

Size

While Gekkota are typically Small, averaging 3 to 4 feet tall with an average weight of about 45 lbs. Some are bigger, and can be Medium sized up to 6 ft with an average weight of 140 lbs. 

Speed

You have a Walking speed of 30 ft.

Wallclingers

Your fingers and toes are adapted to cling to surfaces more efficiently. You have a base Climbing speed of 30 ft, which will always match your current Walking speed. In addition you have Advantage to Athletics checks made for climbing.

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 can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Gecko Magic

Although Gekkota are not technically geckoes they undoubtedly have a connection. Some abilities of the gecko have manifested in Gekkota as innate spells. Stemming from the gecko's ability to change the colours of its skin, similar to a chameleon, the Gekkota are capable of casting the Disguise Self spell. Starting from 3rd level the Gekkota's wallclinging ability can further match the gecko's allowing you to cast the Spider Climb spell but you may only target yourself. When you reach 5th level you can cast Create Food and Water spell, which seems to come from the gecko's ability to store fat and nutrients in its tail and can detach their tail at will, eventually growing a new one. It may also stem from their habit of molting every few weeks where they lose - and eat - their skin with new skin underneath. 

You may cast these spells once each and regain the ability to cast them again after completing a Long Rest. You may also cast them using any spell slots you may have of the appropriate level. For you, casting these spells does not require any Verbal or Material spell components. The spellcasting ability for these spells is your choice of Intelligence, Wisdom or Charisma - chosen when you select this race.