Homebrew Gamia (Sharkfolk) Species Details

The Gamia people have lived deep within the oceans for centuries; originating from the elemental plane of water, the Gamia now act as protectors of some of the greatest treasures in the material plane, and a treasure lost at sea will not stay hidden from their guardianship for long. Living in tribes of various sizes, Gamia do not have one true leader, but rather each tribe will form around an artefact, portal, or other important site in need of protection, and they will rarely leave their tribes unless banished, or in search of some grand treasure with which to establish their own tribe. 

Gamia follow militaristic customs, and their leaders will always fight alongside them. They seek order, and those that stray from the structure of their military are soon exiled or banished. 

Selachimorphic Bloodline

Gamia pride themselves on their prowess as team fighters; whilst they rarely attack out of aggression, a squad of Gamia warriors is much feared by all whom traverse the ocean waters. Their training teaches them to learn their compatriot's strengths, so that they may better formulate strategies in battle. They have a strong sense of loyalty to their fellow soldiers, but will always place their duty as guardians above their own, or their ally's lives.

Primal Urges

Despite their civilized, militaristic cultures, Gamia can sometimes find themselves falling victim to their animalistic nature. Their stoicism is legendary, but when exposed to blood it can be hard to contain their inherent bloodlust. Their ferocity in battle is unmatched, and small squads have been known to take down leviathan beasts that come for their treasures.

Hunters from the Abyss

The Gamia share many traits with their bestial kin. While they are cunning enough to work with their kin to strike down large groups of sentient creatures or harass schools of fish. The Gamia's opportunistic mind won't hesitate to prey on a lone humanoid or a creature big enough for a quick meal but small enough to not warrant a fight.

 Traveling with their frenzies between the ocean floor and the surface. Their pale underbellies allow them to camouflage themselves with the ocean's gleaming surface, whereas their dark backs camouflage them with the ocean floor.

Gamia may be humanoid and posses intelligent thought, but much like lizardfolk who stalk the swamps, the Gamia's mind is practical and seldom acknowledges emotions. Viewing practicality and survival as first and foremost. The only exception being in combat, where their bloodlust leaves them as little more than frenzied sharks. Which is why Gamia usually prefer to hunt alone and kill quickly to avoid causing an unnecessary frenzy.

Gamia Names

Gamia lack family surnames, instead taking their Frenzy's name as their own. Such surnames tend to be a mixture or verb and noun to describe the Frenzy and their habits. Meanwhile, Gamia have brief and direct names. While such names are usually given in Sahuagin or Aquan, many Gamia are quick to translate it when interacting with other races in order to facilitate cooperation.

First Names: Grey, Maw, Surge, Finn, Hook, Bite, Drift, Stream, Wave, Orca, Lurk

 Surnames: Razormaw, Blackback, Shredhide, Depthlurk, Bloodtooth, Saltskin, Crabvice, Tailsplit

Gamia (Sharkfolk) Traits

Gamia come into a multitude of appearances, as diverse as the sharks of the world. Yet all of them share the following traits:

Age

Gamia live to be incredibly old, their childhood ends at around 500 years old, at which point they are considered adults, yet at this age Garlitans closely resemble younger humans. They can live up to 9000 years old.

Size

Gamia vary widely in height and build, from barely 3 foot to well over 7 feet tall. Regardless of your position in that range, your size is Small or Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Denizen of the Deep.

Adapted to even the most extreme ocean depths, you have resistance to cold damage.

Used to the darkness of the deep, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Child of the Sea

You have a swimming speed of 50 feet, and you can breathe air and water.

Using gestures and sounds, you can communicate simple ideas with any beast that has an innate swimming speed.

Bioluminescence

The Gamia has togglable bioluminescence, which appears as tribal like tattoos going up the tail, body and head of the individual. Along with this the Bioluminescence will be involuntarily triggered when interacting with a rare crystal called “the heart of the sea” which will also stun the individual for 4 turns

Hunter's Senses

You gain proficiency in the Perception skill.  You have advantage on all Wisdom (Perception) and Wisdom (Survival) checks when fully submerged in water.

Ferocious Maw

You have a powerful jaw and razor teeth that you can use to make unarmed strikes. When you hit, the strike deals 1d6 plus your strength modifier piercing damage, instead of the normal damage for an unarmed strike.

Powerful Build

You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.

Languages

Your character can speak, read, and write Common and Aquan.