Homebrew Gastrepole / Snailfolk Species Details

Gastrepole, more commonly known as Snailfolk share the same saying as Tortles: “We wear our homes on our backs.” These curious creatures are rather rare to find in the wild, often residing in densly-populated villages or wetlands in the comfort of their shells. It is currently unknown where and when Gastrepole originated, but some believe they are actually convergent species of the Tortles, due to their similarities.

The easiest way to identify a certain Gastrepole is by their shell. Whether it be the pattern, shape or color, all Gastrepole shells have one thing that differ them from the others.

Ability Score Increases

When determining your character’s ability scores, increase one score by 2 and increase a different score by 1, or increase three different scores by 1. Follow this rule regardless of the method you use to determine the scores, such as rolling or point buy. The “Quick Build” section for your character’s class offers suggestions on which scores to increase. You can follow those suggestions or ignore them, but you can’t raise any of your scores above 20.

Languages

Your character can speak, read, and write Common and one other language that you and your DM agree is appropriate for the character.

Creature Type

 You are a Humanoid

Life Span

 You have an average lifespan of 60-70 years, and are expected to reach adulthood by 15. 

Gastrepole / Snailfolk Traits

As a Gastrepole, you have the following racial traits.

Sticky Skin

You can stick small and light objects, such as feathers, leaves and small pebbles to your body, and walk on hard surface for a certain period of time. The object of choice must weigh a maximum of 1.41 ounces (about the weight of a skipping stone) and nothing over in order for it to stick to you.

For walking on hard surfaces, the surface must have up to an 85 degree angle, and you can only walk on it for 1 minute if you are level 1. When you level up, the amount of time you can walk on a wall will increase by 1 minute, so if you’re at level 2, you can walk for up to 2 minutes.

Creature Type

You are a Humanoid.

Size

You are Medium or Small. You choose the size when you select this race.

Speed

Your walking speed is 20 feet.

Hold Breath

You can hold your breath for up to 5 minutes.

Natural Armor

Your shell provides you a base AC of 15 (your Dexterity modifier doesn’t affect this number). You can’t wear light, medium, or heavy armor, but if you are using a shield, you can apply the shield’s bonus as normal.

Nature’s Intuition

Thanks to your mystical connection to nature, you gain proficiency with one of the following skills of your choice: Animal Handling, Medicine, Nature, Perception, Stealth, or Survival.

Shell Defense

You can withdraw into your shell as an action. Until you emerge, you gain a +4 bonus to your AC, and you have advantage on Strength and Constitution saving throws. While in your shell, you are prone, your speed is 0 and can’t increase, you have disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws, you can’t take reactions, and the only action you can take is a bonus action to emerge from your shell.