Homebrew Anguillus Species Details

Likely the source of the legends of merfolk, the anguilli make their abode in shallow coves and coastal river deltas near and on islands throughout the southern sea. Unlike the merfolk of myth, however, the anguilli are capable of land travel, though the clumsiness of eel-tail locomotion tends to leave them with a preference for the water. Anguilli live in complex matriarchal societies. Thus, women have traditionally held society’s positions of authority and power, though they have become seemingly more egalitarian in past centuries, and men are now allowed to perform functions beyond the military and scholarly.

Once largely migratory, the formation of the ice walls has made the lives of the anguilli more stationary and dangerous, as viable habitation areas have decreased and the threat of pirates and other predators has increased. Despite their less-than-ideal living situation, the anguilli are making the most of things by becoming more engaged in the societies of the land dwellers, often in the form of merchants, having carved out a niche of rare aquatic goods and deep-sea treasures. They are naturally adventurous, and are an increasingly common sight onboard ocean craft.

Anguillus Traits

Anguilli have the following traits

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 1, and two other ability scores of your choice increase by 1.

Age

Anguilli mature at the same rate as humans, though they can live to nearly two centuries.

Languages

You speak Common and Unagi, the language of the anguilli.

Size

You are a Medium sized creature.

Speeds

You move clumsily on land. You have a walking speed of 20 feet and a swimming speed of 45 feet.

Aquatic Thrust

Due to the ineffective nature of swinging weapons underwater, you have become skilled with thrusting weapons. You gain proficiency with all weapons that deal piercing damage.

Darkvision

You can see in dim 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 in shades of gray.

Amphibious

You can breathe air and water.

Slipstream

When you take the Dash action while swimming, you gain extra movement speed equal to twice your swimming speed. Until the end of your turn, you don’t provoke opportunity attacks while swimming. Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you complete a short or long rest.