Homebrew Aquarian (TOF) Species Details

The Aquarian race is amphibious, well-suited for the lakes, swamps, and oceans of the world. The fish-folk have adapted to withstand the weight of water, and those with uninjured gills can comfortably live both in water and on land. Large gills cover the shoulders of the average Aquarian, and fins meant to push water towards their gills grow from their heads. Although they tend to build their colonies in either swamps, glaciers, or large bodies of water, some venture into truly dry land out of curiosity--for the community of an Aquarian village is often only those who can breathe underwater.

When not provided with air or water, they can hold their breath for up to 17 minutes (requiring a CON save during the last two to avoid passing out), and they don't need to eat for up to three months, provided that they feast beforehand and drink constantly during their travels. Even so, they will not be able to sleep properly, waking up at random times in the night out of thirst and hunger. Nearing the end of the three months, increase the exhaustion level daily.

They grow as long as they live, like many reptiles, and the longest-lived of the Aquarians have made it to 750 years old. Generally speaking, Aquarian genes are recessive, so hybrids often end up looking like the other parent and having little to no traits from their Aquarian ancestors. They reach adulthood at age 19, and their blue, green, or purple scales grow thicker as they age. Due to ghouls and other undead often hunting Aquarians for their "salmon-like flesh," a lot of Aquarians hide as deep in the water as they can, and it takes some bravery for younger Aquarians to head to the surface, since these tales of murder are told extensively to hatchlings.

The community in your average Aquarian village is something quite special; they tend to be friendly to outsiders joining their community (as long as they're not undead) and the younger, less mature ones sometimes tend to be thrill seekers, using dungeon crawls and quests to get rid of excess energy, which they will have until they're about 40, and they become more level-headed. Of course, some cases may vary or differ. Most are excellent communicators, and their gills can often be used to filter out poisons and diseases.

Aquarian (TOF) Traits

As an Aquarian, you have the following racial traits.

Specification

There are two different types of Aquarians: Deepsea and Lake-Dwelling Aquarians. They both have different cultures, strengths, weaknesses, and even appearences. See the descriptions below when you choose an option.

Specific Senses

If you chose Deepsea:

You have 100ft darkvision, but you have disadvantage on perception checks when in daylight or when using your bioluminescent scales. Since you have no external ears, you cannot be deafened unless it is done magically. You are blinded until your next turn if you take fire damage.

 

If you chose Lake-Dwelling:

Since lake-dwelling Aquarians live in freshwater that one often can't see through, they developed a rudimentary tremorsense. When in at least a half inch of mud or liquid, freshwater Aquarians have tremorsense in a 50ft radius. When fully submerged in water, especially murky water, this extends to 100ft.

Innate Magic

Your character can speak, read, and write Common and Nordmaarian. Through the Aquarian's innate magic, they can innately understand and communicate with fish and water-dwelling creatures. All Aquarians can also innately cast Shape Water, without spell slots.

Size, Names, Bioluminescence

Aquarians are Small or Medium, generally reaching Medium at age 25, although this can vary with subrace.

As for naming your character: Aquarians are traditionally named after shades of blue, purple, or green, aspects of the watery environment they were hatched in (such as a type of current), or events that can happen in the ocean or a lake (such as a wave). They also have few traditional names from their language:

Male Aquarian names: Jorx, Miranen, Elzin

Female Aquarian names: Ilian, Milus, Ellec

Non-Gendered Aquarian names: Dolor, Vezera, Saneri

 

All Aquarians have bioluminescent scales that shed light up to 60ft away (read the sub-trait...).

Amphibious

Your walking speed is 30 feet, and you have a swimming speed of 35 feet.

Aquarians can thrive both in water and on land due to both having gills and lungs. They can:

• breathe both in water (any kind of water) and on land. You cannot do so in any other liquid, provided that the liquid is not mud or icy slush.
• hold their breath for up to 17 minutes (requires a CON save with a DC of 16 every minute, for the last 5 minutes).
• swim 35 feet per turn.