Homebrew Axolotlfolk Species Details

The Elemental Planes are often inhospitable to natives of the Material Plane: crushing earth, searing flames, boundless skies, and endless seas make visiting these places dangerous for even a short time. The powerful water genies, however, don’t face such troubles when venturing into the mortal world. They adapt well to the mingled elements of the Material Plane, and they sometimes visit—whether of their own volition or compelled by magic. Some water genies can adopt mortal guise and travel incognito.

During these visits, a mortal might catch a water genie’s eye. Friendship forms, romance blooms, and sometimes children result. These children are Axolotlfolk: individuals with ties to two worlds, yet belonging to neither. 

Occasionally, Axolotlfolk result from exposure to a surge of elemental power, through phenomena such as an eruption from the Inner Planes or a planar convergence.

Heirs to Elemental Power

Axolotlfolk inherit something from both sides of their dual nature. They resemble big bipedal Axolotls, the elemental blood flowing through their veins manifests differently in each Axolotlfolk, often as magical power.

Seen in silhouette, a Axolotlfolk can usually pass for human.

Axolotlfolk almost never have contact with their elemental parents. Genies seldom have interest in their mortal offspring, seeing them as accidents. Many feel nothing for their children at all.

Some genasi live as outcasts, driven into exile for their unsettling appearance and strange magic, or assuming leadership of savage humanoids and weird cults in untamed lands. Others gain positions of great influence, especially where elemental beings are revered. A few Axolotlfolk leave the Material Plane to find refuge in the elemental planes of water.

Axolotlfolk Lands

As rare beings, Axolotlfolk might go their entire lives without encountering another one of their kind. There are no great Axolotlfolk cities or empires. Axolotlfolk seldom have communities of their own and typically adopt the cultures and societies into which they are born. The more strange their appearance, the harder time they have. 

Those living on the frontier, though, have a much harder time. People there tend to be less accepting of differences. Sometimes a cold shoulder and a suspicious glare are the best Axolotlfolk can hope for; in more backward places, they face ostracism and even violence from people who mistake them for fiends.

Facing a hard life, these Axolotlfolk seek isolation in the wilds, making their homes near lakes, or underground.

AXOLOTLFOLK BACKGROUNDS

Axolotlfolk almost all have some experience aboard or around sea vessels. They make excellent mariners and fishers. Axolotlfolk though, prefer quiet and solitude; the wide shores are their natural homes. They go where they want, do what they want, and rarely feel bound to anything. Good backgrounds for Axolotlfolk are hermit and sailor.

Axolotlfolk Names

Axolotlfolk use the naming conventions of the people among whom they were raised. They might later assume distinctive names to capture their heritage, such as Wave, or Onyx.

 

Axolotlfolk Traits

Your Axolotlfolk character has certain characteristics in common with all other Axolotlfolk.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Primordial. Primordial is a guttural language, filled with harsh syllables and hard consonants.

Ability Score Increase

Your Charisma is 20.

Age

Axolotlfolk mature at about the same rate as humans and reach adulthood in their late teens. They live somewhat longer than humans do, up to 120 years.

Alignment

Independent and self-reliant, Axolotlfolk tend toward a neutral alignment.

Size

Axolotlfolk are as varied as their mortal parents but are generally built like Halflings, standing anywhere from 2ft to 5ft. Your size is Small or Medium, you choose when you pick this species.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet and you have a swimming speed of 60ft.

Elemental Powers

You gain the ability to cast Waterbeam.