Homebrew Cetacean Species Details

Primordial Warriors

Modern day cetaceans can trace their roots back to the Plane of Water where the first cetaceans fought beside the ancient whale titan, Baleenus. As a protector of the Sea of Light, Baleenus defended against the krakens and leviathans that lurked within the Darkened Depths. From their frequent visits to the Isle of Dread, shipwrecked travelers would occasionally follow the titan into the turbulent waters and would slowly be transformed into a whale like creature.

Centuries ago, Baleenus delved deep into the Darkened Depths, accompanied by their most faithful warriors. They have not returned.

Society of the Searching

In the wake of Baleenus's disappearance, the cetaceans formed a society made of family groups called pods. Many pods are sent into the Darkened Depths and find their way into the material plane. Through their songs, they have formed large pods in the oceans of the material plane.

In settlements, multiple pods work together, Blue cetaceans work as guards, warriors, and heavy laborers. Humpback cetaceans, the most common variant of cetacean are krill and fish herders and act as craftsman. Orca cetaceans are the rarest of the cetaceans and are typically hunters or scouts. Narwhal cetaceans are typically leaders of settlements and collectors of knowledge.

As cetaceans need to breath air, they spend much of their time just below the surface of the ocean and their homes are filled with air as much as they with water. This along with cetacean’s amiable nature makes cetacean settlements a perfect place of respite for the sea fairing adventurer.

Of Baleenus

Cetaceans appear to be whales with hind legs. Sporting a tail, an instantly recognizable head, and hands that look more like pectoral fins. They are tall and well built, often standing close to 6½ feet tall and weighing 250 pounds or more.

Cetacean Names

Cetaceans typicallly only have one name, consisting of one syllablye and one vowel sound, streched out to seem longer. Many of these names, known as song names, may sound the same to other races, but through slight variations in tone and and length, cetaceans hear information about family, settlement, date of birth, rank, gender, and important events in their life. A cetacean will typically adopt a common name when interacting with humans and other land dwelling races.

Song Names: Aahm, Behl, Boonn, Ccus, Dert, Diin, Eeash, Fouhd, Gaoil, Hraa, Huoe, Iilb, Muoth, Nehb, Ooir, Ooooghn, Rhuuuu, Rin, Rinb, Tongh, Torde, Uuele

Common Names: Ambersea, Bentfin, Coralcastle, Deepwater, Fishspeak, Krillkeep, Knowledge, Laughter, Mashjaw, Mother, Neverbay, Pleasplitter, Tiderise, Tridenttoss, Tubercle

Subraces

There are four different subraces for the cetacean. Blue, Humpback, Narwhal, and Orca.

Cetacean Traits

Your cetacean character has the following racial traits.

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 1, and your Strength score increases by 1.

Age

Cetaceans mature at around 20 years of age and live for an addition 140 years.

Alignment

Cetaceans are free spirits but have a strong family group and often act with kindness. They tend to be neutral good.

Size

Cetaceans are a little bulkier and taller than humans. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feeat, and you have a swimming speed of 40 feet.

Child of the Deeps

Adapted to even the most extreme ocean depths, you have resistance to cold damage, and you ignore any of the drawbacks caused by a deep, underwater environment.

Echolocation

You have blindsight out to 60 ft. but can not use it if you are deafened. When you speak Aquan underwater, cetaceans within one mile of you can hear you.

Hold Breath

You can hold your breath for up to 1 hour at a time.

Keen Senses

You have proficiency in the Perception skill.

Natural Armor

Your natural blubber acts as a tough hide. When you aren’t wearing armor, your AC is 12 + 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 Aquan.