Homebrew Atsaad Species Details

In the depths of the Kalnorean Sea, atsaadi scavengers weave gracefully through the skeleton of a sunken galleon. The joy of exploring the forgotten wreck is just as rewarding to them as any treasure they might find within it.

On the Wassica Islands, a lone atsaad wades into a still lagoon, her scales shimmering in the sunlight. She closes her eyes and becomes one with the water, sensing where its currents have come from and the things they have touched before now.

Far to the east, atsaadi merchants wander through Tidesfar's bustling Tradewind Plaza-every sight and sound a new experience. And new experiences are what this adventurous race lives for.

An insatiable curiosity has always stirred in the hearts of the atsaad. Long ago, when they ruled over the vast aquatic empire of Ardu, they explored every kelp forest and island chain in their domain. They plumbed the endless mysteries of the sea and gathered knowledge and riches beyond measure. Yet these treasures and all of Ardu-were consumed by a sudden, catastrophic upheaval. Earthquakes and tsunamis rocked the ocean empire and scattered the surviving atsaad.

Today, the atsaad live across a broad stretch of land and sea. The more isolationist tribes dwell in the remote Wassica Islands, launching raids on Lawbrand's coastal cities and toeing the dangerous line that could lead to all-out war-a war that would likely end with their extinction.

Those atsaad that have become citizens of Lawbrand seek peace and camaraderie even making their homes in the Trade-Cities' crowded urban centers. Many of them thrive in Lawbrand's diverse society due to their innate ability to feel the currents of emotion around them. They are quick to sense whether a stranger means them good or ill-and use those instincts to their benefit. When they forge friendships with others, the bonds are as strong as steel.

Lawbrand's atsaadi citizens are known for their positive demeanors, but changes in the weather can sometimes affect their moods. When storm clouds gather, atsaad can become irritable or forlorn. Every drop of rain that touches their skin is a reminder of the sea-and the inseparable bond they share with it. The atsaad are children of the tides. The ocean is a well of memory, a connection to their past, and a reminder that their hearts will always belong to the fathomless deep.

Description

Spending most of their lives either beneath the waves or on the Wassica Islands, atsaad are amphibious humanoids that live for adventure and exploration. They tend to be excellent scavengers, and their boundless curiosity makes them invaluable allies whether diving deep underwater or spelunking through dark caverns.

Appearance

Atsaad are exotic humanoids with aquatic features. Their facial features are soft and thoughtful, with large dark eyes that seem to stare into the soul. Their lithe bodies are covered by fine, mottled scales, with colors ranging across the entire spectrum. Down the backs of their heads, long tendrils flow like braids often adorned with beads or brightly colored bands. Their hands and feet have slight webbing between the digits.

Names

Masculine Names: Gruu, Oggle, Druul, Grabbi, Dorr, Flebb

Feminine Names: Blaya, Lamma, Abbra, Sebbu, Burus

Family Names: Salaa, Leeru, Sharan, Eeless, Lasaad

Tidal Bond

Being amphibious humanoids, atsaad can flourish both on land and in the sea. They feature unique cranial tendrils that some biologists believe act as psycho-emotional antennae, allowing the atsaad to read other creatures' emotional states when they are submerged within proximity to them. The atsaad can also sense the flow of water from region to region almost tasting the scent of distant places in the particles. They believe that all are one and bonded by the world's moving waters; emotions move like currents, and the atsaad often try to keep things in stillness around them.

Heart for Exploration

Atsaad are driven by a deep sense of adventure and exploration an insatiable curiosity about the horizon and the possibility of new exotic places and peoples. They enjoy interacting with others, even those not of their own kind, which drives their curiosity. They hold their family pods as the highest priority.
They are generally upbeat and positive in their outlook and seek to aid those around them for the greater good of society. They make great teammates and collaborators. If any drawbacks can be said of them, it's that some atsaad are prone to daydreaming and not keeping their head on the task in front of them.

The Tribes of Ardu

While many of the atsaad have moved from the Wassica Islands and assimilated into the culture of Lawbrand, there are far more that still populate the islands, refusing to abandon their ancient heritage. These holdouts retain their ancestral tribal identities and are committed to maintaining their own cultural identity. They are often violent and xenophobic to all outsiders and see their urbanized land-dwelling brethren as traitors to their people. There are rumored to be upwards of twenty different atsaadi tribes, but the three largest are the most commonly recognized by the people of Lawbrand. Their tribal names are roughly translated from Wassic.

COMMONLY RECOGNISED  TRIBES OF ARDU

L'hale, or "Daggermaw". The L'hale are the largest atsaadi tribe and cling to the warrior principles of their lost empire, Ardu. They control a vast area of undersea ruins around the Wassica Islands and hold the ruined city of A'laua as their sacred capital. They hate those of their kind who have claimed citizenship in Lawbrand, seeing the urbanized realm as a threat to their own faded power and territorial holdings. They have no compunction about waging attacks and raids on Lawbrand's coastal holdings.

M'puro, or "Deepfathom". The M'puro atsaad are scavengers and treasure seekers. They're a medium sized tribe but lack the territory and resources necessary to be as self-sufficient as the L'hale. They are indifferent to Lawbrand and its encroachments and generally tend to their own affairs. Among other atsaad, they are best known for their hoarding of precious stones and pearls and other natural treasures of the sea.

K'ani, or "Stillwater". The smallest of the three primary atsaadi tribes, the K'ani are surprisingly industrious and the most likely to seek interaction with outsiders. Their traders sometimes come to the ports of Tidesfar and Sargrad to trade for various goods, bringing fruit, fish, and other wares from the Wassica Islands.

Credits: This content is from the Auroboros: Coils of the Serpent setting (Worldbook: Lawbrand) by Warchief Gaming and Titan Books.

 

Atsaad Traits

Spending most of their lives either beneath the waves or on the Wassica Islands, atsaad are amphibious humanoids that live for adventure and exploration.

Ability Score Increase

Your Charisma increases by 2, and your Dexterity increases by 1.

Age

Atsaad reach adulthood by age 14 and live on average for 60 years.

Size

Atsaad range from 5 to 5 1/2 ft. tall and typically weigh 120 lbs or less. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 ft., and you have a swimming speed of 30 ft.

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. While underwater your darkvision extends to 120 feet.

Slippery Skin

You have advantage on Dexterity (Acrobatics) checks and saving throws.

Water Senses

Up to three times per long rest, while in contact with water, you can send out a pulse to sense the exact location of any other creature in contact with the same water within 100 ft. This does not require an action.

Healing Waters

While taking a short rest, if you are floating or submerged in water, double the amount of health regained for each hit dice rolled.

Bioluminescent Burst

Once per long rest, the color bands on your scales can glow and burst with bioluminescent light to target a creature within 5 ft. The creature must succeed a Constitution saving throw DC = 8 + Charisma modifier. If the creature fails the save, they are blinded until the end of their next turn.

Astute Learners

You have a proficiency bonus in the Perception skill.

Languages

You can speak Common and a unique language (Wassic) among other atsaad. Add this language directly to the character sheet under Proficiencies.

Amphibious

You can breathe both air and water.