Homebrew Crocfolk Species Details
If you’re considering taking a scaled one along on an adventure, remember this important fact. The strange, inhuman glint in its eyes as it looks you over is the same look you might give a freshly grilled steak.
Only a fool looks at the crocfolk and sees nothing more than scaly humanoids. Their physical shape notwithstanding, crocfolk have more in common with crocodiles than they do with humans, dwarves, or elves. Crocfolk possess an alien and inscrutable mindset, their desires and thoughts driven by a different set of basic principles than those of warm-blooded creatures. Their dismal swamp homes might lie hundreds of miles from the nearest human settlement, but the gap between their way of thinking and that of the smooth-skins is far greater.
Despite their alien outlook, some crocfolk make an effort to understand and, in their own manner, befriend people of other races. Such crocfolk make faithful and skilled allies.
History
Crocodilians are a rare species related to lizardfolk they live in swamps that men have learned to avoid, usually for good reason. Little is known about their history because they don't care enough to pass it on. However, through an intensive study by scholars, it is now known that crocfolk used to be the rulers of the lizardfolk until their kingdom was overthrown. It seems as though a rebellion formed against them because of their ruthless nature.
Cold and Brutal
Most humanoids describe cold-blooded people as lacking in emotion and empathy. The same label serves as an apt depiction of crocfolk.
Lacking any internal emotional reactions, crocfolk behave in a distant manner. They don’t mourn fallen comrades or rage against their enemies. They simply observe and react as a situation warrants.
There are stories about Crocfolk that relentlessly attack adventurers when they make their way through the swamps, there used to be more Crocfolk tribes but because of their brutish behavior they were in an constant battle with each other. But 1 day all the Crocfolk tribes fused togheter and ruled over every reptillian in the swamps, they have reigned a long time but It seems as though a rebellion formed against them because of their ruthless nature.
Utility and Survival
The crocfolk mindset might seem unnecessarily cruel, but it helps them survive in a hostile environment. The swamps they inhabit are filled with a staggering variety of threats. Crocfolk focus on survival above all, without sentiment.
Crocfolk assess everyone and everything in terms of utility. A sharp sword serves a useful and good purpose, while a dull sword is a dead weight without a whetstone
Hapless Soft Ones
At their core, crocfolk pity other humanoids. Born into the world lacking stout scales and sharp teeth, it’s a wonder they have managed to survive for so long.
Still, if other creatures prove useful to crocfolk, those creatures can trigger a protective response made all the stronger by their apparent weakness. The crocfolk assess such beings as hatchlings, young ones incapable of protecting themselves but who might prove useful in the future if they receive care.
Crocfolk Personality
You can use the Crocfolk Quirks table to determine a personality quirk for a crocfolk character or to inspire a unique mannerism.
Crocfolk Quirks
| d8 | Quirk |
|---|---|
| 1 | You hate waste and see no reason not to scavenge fallen enemies. Fingers are tasty and portable! |
| 2 | You sleep best while mostly submerged in water. |
| 3 | Money is meaningless to you. |
| 4 | You think there are only two species of humanoid: crocfolk and meat. |
| 5 | You have learned to laugh. You use this talent in response to all emotional situations, to better fit in with your comrades. |
| 6 | You still don’t understand how metaphors work. That doesn’t stop you from using them at every opportunity. |
| 7 | You appreciate the soft humanoids who realize they need chain mail and swords to match the gifts you were born with. |
| 8 | You enjoy eating your food while it’s still wriggling. |
Crocfolk Names
Crocfolk take their names from the grandfathers. They use simple descriptives granted by the tribe based on an individual’s notable deeds or actions. For example, Garurt translates as “axe,” a name given to a crocfolk warrior who defeated an orc and claimed his foe’s weapon. A crocfolk who likes to hide in a stand of reeds before ambushing an animal might be called Achuak, which means “green” to describe how she blends into the foliage.
Crocfolk make no distinction between male and female in their naming conventions. Each example name includes its translation in parenthesis.
Crocfolk Names: Achuak (green), Aryte (war), Baeshra (animal), Darastrix (dragon), Garurt (axe), Irhtos (secret), Jhank (hammer), Kepesk (storm), Kethend (gem), Korth (danger), Kosj (small), Kothar (demon), Litrix (armor), Mirik (song), Othokent (smart), Sauriv (eye), Throden (many), Thurkear (night), Usk (iron), Valignat (burn), Vargach (battle), Verthica (mountain), Vutha (black), Vyth (steel)
Crocfolk Traits
Your crocfolk character has the following racial traits.Ability Score Increase
Your Strength score increases by 2, your Dexterity score increases by 1, and your Constitution score increases by 1.
Age
Crocfolk reach maturity around age 16 and can live longer than 100 years. There are stories that the oldest crocfolk was over 300 years old.
Alignment
When it comes to the morality of the Crocfolk, they vary widely. In terms of Law and Chaos, Crocfolk are often Chaotic, but it is not unheard of for a Crocfolk to be Lawful.
Size
Crocfolk are bulkier and taller than humans. Your size is Large.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 25 feet, and you have a swimming speed of 40 feet.
Crushing 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. When Crocfolk do this you are grappled
Sweep Attack.
You can also use your tail as a weapon. As a bonus action, you can make an attack with your tail against a Large or smaller creature. If the attack hits, the creature must succeed on a Strength saving throw or be knocked Prone. The DC for this saving throw is equal to 8 + your Strength modifier + your proficiency bonus. You can't use this trait again until you finish a short or long rest.
Deathroll
When a Crocfolk has an monster Grappled, the Crocfolk can make an Deathroll. The Deathroll deals 2d8 piercing damage on a failed saving throw and half as much on a successfull one.
Hold Breath
You can hold your breath for up to 2 hours at a time.
Log appearance
You gain proficiency with two of the following skills of your choice: Deception, Intimidation, Perception, Stealth, and Persuasion.
Natural Armor
You have tough, scaly skin. When you aren’t wearing armor, your AC is 14 + your Dexterity modifier. You can use your natural armor to determine your AC if the armor you wear would leave you with a lower AC. A shield’s benefits apply as normal while you use your natural armor.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Common and choose 1 language of your choice.
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