Homebrew Tide Goblin Species Details

Tide Goblins are common along the coastlines of Therenor’s seas; hiding amongst forests of kelp and oyster beds in search of small fish and squid to catch. Lacking an internal skeletal structure, they have soft and squishy bodies, coated in a layer of mucus that protects their delicate skin from the sun and from parasites. They have excellent control of their form, bending and twisting into impossibly small spaces; even tensing the muscles in their legs to hobble around on land.

Early in the morning as ships pass the shallows and pull into port, Tide Goblins cling to their hulls, scaling the side of the vessel and hoisting themselves into the lower deck in search of food and valuables. Tide Goblins will hide in all manner of crevices and containers to avoid detection, and unexpected hitchhikers are so common that most trade ships will task crewmembers to wait  below deck on “goblin watch”, ready to intercept any stowaways. Other ships may even build shelves situated low to the floor, stacked high with shiny (but ultimately worthless) trinkets, expecting tide goblins to swipe these first. When cornered, Tide goblins can shift the pigment of their skin to produce bright, repeating patterns, disorienting and distracting those in front of them before they make a quick getaway.

Tide Goblin Traits

Creature Type: Humanoid, You are also considered a goblinoid for any prerequisite or effect that requires you to be a goblinoid.
Size: Small (about 3–4 feet tall)
Speed: 30 feet walking, 30 feet swimming

As a Tide Goblin, you have these special traits.

Fey Ancestry

You have Advantage on saving throws you make to avoid or end the Charmed condition.

Darkvision

You have Darkvision with a range of 60 feet.

Amphibious

You can breathe in both air and in water. Additionally, you have a swim speed equal to your walk speed.

Squishy Form

Your boneless body allows you to slip into spaces otherwise considered impossible for creatures of your size. Without squeezing, you can move through and stop in a space large enough for a Tiny creature. Additionally, you can squeeze through a space as narrow as 1 inch wide. You drop any weapons or equipment you are carrying at the entrance of where you began to squeeze.

Chromatophore Casting

You have control over your form alter the pigments of your skin to flash a dazzling array of color patterns, mesmerizing and distracting your target. You know the Friends cantrip.

Starting at 3rd level, you can cast the Color Spray spell with this trait. Starting at 5th level, you can also cast Enthrall spell with this trait, with the modification that it affects creatures within 60 feet of you that can see you instead of hear you. Once you cast Color Spray or Enthrall with this trait, you can’t cast that spell with it again until you finish a long rest. You can also cast either of those spells using any spell slots you have of the appropriate level.

Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells when you cast them with this trait (choose when you select this race).