Homebrew Eelthid Species Details

Eelthids

Eelthids are said to be related to the great leviathans of the depths, surfacing shortly after the Era of the Surge. These people range from small to medium sizes with large, eel-like tails that they use to swim with and slither around on land with little difficulty; two, finned arms with sharp, clawed fingers. These eel people have uncanny, unblinking eyes and a maw full of sharp teeth. It’s not uncommon for some Eelthids to have a secondary set of jaws that can be pushed forward to grab prey. Fins of all shapes and sizes decorate their heads, arms, backs, and tails.

Eelthids are known on Chria for being the most unsettling yet widely respected species – partially out of fear and unease. There is much that is unknown about Eelthids and their ways, but what is known is known very well. Eelthids live in colonies spanning across Chria’s lakes and bogs, some even on the coastlines of oceans and seas. Eelthid colonies are typically very territorial, often having disputes with other nearby colonies. They take to fighting using their claws, teeth, shocking abilities, and handcrafted spears and pikes; they find valor in fighting styles that would be considered “primitive” to other nations and species. To further fuel this “primitive” stereotype, Eelthids have their own way of communicating with one another: by hissing and snarling and snapping their jaws at one another.

 

Values & Customs:

Shamanistic Culture

Eelthid groups will typically have one shaman per colony. Eelthid shamans are called Ekki within their communities, and are the most respected Eelthid in the colony. Shamans are responsible for leading marriage ceremonies, courting rituals, tending to ailments and injuries, and communicating with the colony’s chosen God. Eelthid shamans can be of any age or size once chosen as long as they support the criteria to be a shaman:

• Bright, colorful patterns or markings – saturation > quantity of markings
• Natural wisdom & intelligence
• Natural instinct to protect and provide for the colony
• Calm & level-headed nature

Some Ekki have been reported to have smell-color based synesthesia, being able to identify an unwell Eelthid based on the color of their scent and names of specific members of their colony based on the colony based on the color of their scent.

Shamans are often sought out by Eelthids in the colony suffering or facing extreme doubts or questions. Shamans are essentially your therapist, doctor, priest, and birth doula all in one. They are responsible for keeping the colony safe and healthy. Shamans are also responsible for communicating to other shamans of other colonies, if that rare event should occur.

 

Clothing

Eelthids do not adorn themselves with heavy armor. Instead, they wear garments made of water-resistant cloth, woven kelp & seagrass, or thin skins of aquatic animals. Given that Eelthids have very little sexual dimorphism – the females having larger ribcages and little breast tissue – there is not much for them to cover. Female Eelthids often wear two pieces of clothing – one over their chests and one around their waist; males are commonly seen wearing waist kerchiefs. It’s common for Eelthids to decorate themselves with strings of pearls, seashells, or other shiny stones wrapped around their shoulders, necks, arms, and even draped across their faces.

Eelthid Traits

As an Eelthid, you are born with these traits.

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength score increases by 2.

Your Intelligence score increases by 1.

Age

Eelthids physically mature around the age of 15 and can live well into their 70s & 80s.

Speed

Eelthids are made for the water. You have a walking speed of 25ft and a swimming speed of 60ft.

Natural Weapons

Eelthids are armed with sharp, clawed hands. You can make a melee attack with your claws dealing 1d6 slashing + your Strength modifier.

Eelthids have strong jaws with sharp, serrated teeth. You can make a melee attack with your jaws dealing 1d10 piercing + your Strength modifier.

- The targeted creature must make a Constitution saving throw for 8 + your Constitution modifier or be paralyzed for 1 minute. The creature may roll again at the end of their turn.

Electrified Self

Eelthids have electricity flowing through their bodies and powering their most vital organs. You are resistant to lightning damage.

Eelthids can channel electricity. As a reaction to being struck by a melee attack, you can channel lightning to zap your opponent a number of times equal to your proficiency score. The zap does 2d6 lightning damage. This skill resets during a long rest.

Hydration

Eelthids need to remain hydrated. For each day that you do not have a bucket’s worth of water poured on you, you gain 1 level of exhaustion. These points go away after being submerged in water.

- Points gained from staying up all night do not go away when submerged in water.

Sense of Smell

Eelthids rely on their sense of smell. You have advantage on smell-based perception checks.