Homebrew The Seafling Species Details
To be greeted with stares and whispers, to suffer violence and insult on the street, to see mistrust and fear in every eye, to be misunderstood, to be thought of something you are not: this is the lot of the Seafling. And to twist the knife, Seaflings know that one may never cross another Seafling in their lifetime. Their appearance and their nature are not their fault but the result of an ancient entity, for which they and any that may follow in their bloodline will always be beholden to.
Deep Origins
Seaflings are derived from human bloodlines, and in the broadest possible sense, they still look human. However, their Deep heritage has left a clear imprint on their appearance. Seaflings have large horns that take any of a variety of shapes: some have curling horns like a ram, others have straight and tall horns like a gazelle’s, and some spiral upward like an antelopes’ horns. They have thick tails, four to five feet long, which lash or coil around their legs when they get upset or nervous. Their canine teeth are sharply pointed, and their eyes are solid colors—black, red, white, silver, or gold—with no visible sclera or pupil. Their skin tones cover the full range of human coloration, but also include various shades of blue or purple. Their hair, cascading down from behind their horns, is usually dark, from black or brown to dark red, blue, or purple.
Self-Reliant and Suspicious
Seaflings are usually found mostly in human port cities or towns, often in the roughest quarters of those places, where they grow up to be swindlers, thieves, pirates or crime lords. Sometimes they live among other minority populations in enclaves near the coast where they are treated with more respect.
Lacking a homeland, seaflings know that they have to make their own way in the world and that they have to be strong to survive. They are not quick to trust anyone who claims to be a friend, but when a seafling’s companions demonstrate that they trust him or her, the seafling learns to extend the same trust to them. And once a seafling gives someone loyalty, the seafling is a firm friend or ally for life.
Seafling Names
Seafling names fall into three broad categories. Seaflings born into another culture typically have names reflective of that culture. Some have names derived from the Abyssal language, that reflect their unknown deep heritage. And some younger seaflings, striving to find a place in the world, adopt a name that signifies a virtue or other concept and then try to embody that concept. For some, the chosen name is a noble quest. For others, it’s a grim destiny.
Male Abyssal Names: Borox, Surzith, Copeltas, Grasor, Galsurtilcit, Seepat, Krakano, Bulontumon, Bisanalci, Kaltizeb
Female Abyssal Names: Aktamila, Vulkires, Vylkelie, Raxatha, Lemtath, Rumteshaini, Rhustireb, Lastishti, Thamtich, Zankila
“Virtue” Names: Art, Carrion, Chant, Creed, Despair, Excellence, Fear, Glory, Hope, Ideal, Music, Nowhere, Open, Poetry, Quest, Random, Reverence, Sorrow, Temerity, Torment, Weary
MET WITH MISTRUST
Ignorant people tend to be suspicious of seaflings, assuming them tiefling and that their unknown deep heritage has left its mark on their personality and morality, not just their appearance. The reality is that a seafling’s bloodline doesn’t affect their personality. They are gifted with magic from the Deep but chart their own course in life.
The Seafling Traits
Seaflings share certain racial traits as a result of their deep descent.Ability Score Increase
Your Intelligence score increases by 1, and your Charisma score increases by 2.
Age
Seaflings mature at the same rate as humans but age slower as they get older and live a few decades longer.
Size
Seaflings are about the same size and build as humans. Your size is Medium.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision
Thanks to your Deep origins, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 80 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.
Deep Resistance
You have resistance to acid and fire damage.
Legacy of Dagon
You know the thorn whip cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the cure wounds spell as a 2nd-level spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the darkness spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Common and Deep Speech.