Homebrew Deepfin Sharkfolk Species Details

A restless people who never seem to stop moving, the Deepfin Sharkfolk dwell in the icy depths of the Northern Sea. Their life revolves around a cycle of scavenging, hunting, building, and then moving on to their next hunting ground. They are an adaptable and diligent people with a focus on trade, community, and respect for Zura the Sleepless and the relentless forces of nature.

Physical Description

Resembling humanoid sharks, Deepfin Sharkfolk boast streamlined bodies with tough skin that glistens like the ocean's surface. Their powerful tails aid in navigating the frigid waters. Typically they are the same height as humans. The dorsal fin is typically higher towards the head on females than it is on males.

Deep Sea Scavengers

The Deepfin Sharkfolk excel in scavenging shipwrecks and finding useful or valuable trinkets lost in the debris and rubble. The ocean floor is their treasure trove, abundant with relics and resources from sunken vessels and cargo lost overboard. Their adeptness in navigating the perilous underwater terrain and extracting valuable materials from these wrecks is a matter of pride.

The Cycle of Wandering

A reclusive and secretive lot, their society is semi-nomadic, with members following the ebb and flow of the ocean currents and the promise of treasures in sunken ships. They endlessly build and repair semi-permanent underwater settlements with materials salvaged from shipwrecks, or from trading with surface dwellers.

These homes are anchored securely on seamounts high above the abyssal plains, hidden by corals and vegetation or tucked away in other protected areas like caves in the sides of the undersea mountains. These serve as seasonal bases for their hunting and scavenging.

As the currents change they move on to the next settlement, fixing up the buildings and building any new ones as needed. Different groups have different settlements, some will spend as little as a month in one settlement before moving on, and sometimes it will take a few months to return, and other times years will pass before they return to one of their hidden homes.

Strange Reverence

The Deepfin Sharkfolk approach worship from a very pragmatic point of view. They revere Zura the Sleepless for her strength and her endless journey across the sea and find within her ideals to strive to rather than a goddess to plead to for blessings. They even see her Fangs, Zura’s hunger manifested as gargantuan divine sharks, as tests to prove their worth. Members of a clan will band together to try and slay a part of their god, and succeeding is considered a deed worthy of the highest praise and honors.

Fangships

These massive vessels, crafted from the corpses of Zura's Fangs, are a vital part of Deepfin society. Each Fangship is a revered artifact, a symbol of a clan's prowess, and a functional dwelling. The process of creating a Fangship is a sacred ritual, combining arcane magic, divine blessing, and skilled craftsmanship. Once a clan has secured a Fangship they typically will live within the vessel, though some will still maintain a few settlements.

Trade with the Surface

While the Deepfin Sharkfolk engage in trade more often than might be expected, they do so only with select trusted surface partners. Once a reliable connection is established, they trade regularly with these specific individuals. Other surface dwellers seeking to trade with the Deepfin must often go through these intermediaries. This practice ensures a level of security and trust in their transactions, and leaves their hunting grounds and homes more secure from interlopers. Their trade typically involves exchanging underwater finds, like scavenged gold and unique artifacts, for goods and resources they cannot obtain from the sea. They are especially fond of trading for red meat or other fine and “exotic” foods and drink.

Names

Names typically consist of a first name and a clan name. The first name is given at birth, and it often draws from aquatic elements, sea creatures, and qualities admired by the Deepfin. They can be lyrical and melodic, mimicking the sounds of the underwater world.

Males: Baelstrom, Carchon, Dorsan, Marlinn, Thalor
Females: Azurine, Coralyn, Nereia, Pelagia, Sirelia
Gender-Neutral: Delphus, Ebbryn, Lurkale, Octeon, Tideus

Clan names signify lineage and allegiance. When a Deepfin joins a new clan their birth clan is always kept at the end unless they were banished, for instance Pelagia Vortexian of Leviathide.

Example clan names: Abyzorin, Leviathide, Thalasskara, Selachius, Vortexian

 

Deepfin Sharkfolk Traits

As a Deepfin Sharkfolk, you have the following racial traits.

Ability Score Increases

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

Scavenger's Eye

You gain proficiency in Perception and have 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.

Creature Type

You are a Humanoid.

Size

You are Medium.

Speed

Your walking speed is 30 feet, and you have a swimming speed equal to your walking speed.

Amphibious

You can breathe air and water.

Sunken Secrets

Starting at 3rd level, you can cast the locate object spell once per long rest without expending a spell slot or material components.

Zura's Blessing

Adapted to the frigid ocean depths, you have resistance to cold damage.

Fierce Bite

Your fanged maw is a natural weapon, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with it, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.