Homebrew Demedusa Species Details

Originally born from the union of transforming medusa and one of their paramours, demedusa are a rare species of humanoid who spend their long lives living in solitude, or briefly congregating in long forgotten ruins or ghost towns— watching from a distance as the civilizations of others rise and fall. When they do engage in larger communities, demedusa will usually share their knowledge, skills and companionship with an eagerness born of loneliness and boredom, however they must often navigate societies that see them as monsters. 

Demedusa are generally tall and lithe, with most standing 6 to 7 feet tall while weighing no more than 170 pounds. Like their medusa forebearers, the most notable physical features of a demedus are the coils of snakes that grow from their scalps instead of hair, though most members of the species also have needle-like fangs that unfold when they are agitated and eyes that lack a visible scelera.

Demedusa Traits

All demedusa share these trails.

Darkvision

You have darkvision with a range of 60 feet.

Medusa's Resistance

You have advantage on saving throws you make to avoid or end the Poisoned condition.

Striking Tresses

When you take the Attack action on your turn, you can replace one of your attacks with a melee attack from your serpent hair (finesse), dealing piercing damage equal to 2d4 plus the ability modifier used in the attack roll. Successful attacks with your striking tresses cause the Sap mastery property.

Venomous Glare

When you reach character level 5, you can channel your medusa lineage to stop threats in their tracks. As a Bonus Action, you compel a creature of your choice within 60 feet that can see you to make a Constitution saving throw (DC 8 plus your Constitution modifier and Proficiency Bonus). On a failed save, the creature has the Poisoned condition and must repeat the save at the start of its next turn. On a second failure, the creature has the Restrained condition for one minute instead of the Poisoned condition.

You can use this venomous glare a number of times equal to your Proficiency Bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a Long Rest.