Homebrew Carcharodon Species Details
Charcharodons
Ancient Predators of the Abyss
Charcharodons are ancient shark-like humanoids from the deepest oceans, born in trenches so deep that sunlight has never reached them. Their bodies are shaped by crushing pressure and endless darkness, bearing rubbery gray, blue, or slate-toned skin, powerful jaws lined with serrated teeth, and dull black eyes that reflect no light. When still, a Charcharodon can appear eerily lifeless—more corpse than creature—until it moves with sudden, brutal intent. They are rarely encountered by surface dwellers, and many cultures dismiss them as myths or exaggerations born from sailor’s fear. Those who survive an encounter often struggle to describe it, recalling only the sensation of being watched long before violence revealed itself.
Birth in Darkness
Charcharodons are born fully formed in the abyssal depths and are abandoned immediately after birth. There is no parental care, no instruction, and no return. Survival begins the moment they enter the world, and only those who can hunt, hide, and endure continue on. Among their kind, this is not seen as cruelty. The ocean offers no mercy, and neither do they. Strength, awareness, and adaptability are the only inheritance a Charcharodon receives. As a result, most Charcharodons grow into fiercely independent beings, comfortable with isolation and slow to trust others.
Society Without Cities
Charcharodons do not build civilizations as surface folk understand them. They raise no cities, crown no rulers, and record no written histories. Their culture exists in scars, remembered currents, hunting methods, and lived experience. Encounters between Charcharodons are uncommon but not inherently hostile. When they meet, they may exchange knowledge, test one another’s strength, or travel together briefly before parting ways. Long-term bonds are rare, but when formed, they are profound and lasting. Permanence is not a goal among their kind. Motion is.
Language and Communication
Charcharodons instinctively know Primordial, a reflection of their ancient origins and connection to the elemental forces of the deep. Their traditional communication relies heavily on posture, movement, tooth display, and low-frequency sounds carried through water. Most do not naturally know surface languages. Those who learn Common usually do so later in life, after long observation of surface-dwelling peoples. When they speak, it is often with blunt precision and little ornamentation. At the Dungeon Master’s discretion, a Charcharodon character may begin play knowing no spoken surface language.
Surface Wanderers
A Charcharodon who leaves the ocean is not exiled or lost. Some feel a pull toward the surface they cannot explain. Others hunt something that cannot be found in the deep, or simply wish to observe the fragile civilizations that build monuments where waves will one day reclaim them. Such individuals often become adventurers, acting as silent observers, relentless hunters, or unexpectedly loyal allies. A Charcharodon’s trust is difficult to earn—but once given, it is rarely withdrawn.
Charcharodon Names
Among their own kind, Charcharodons do not use names in the way surface folk do. Identity is conveyed through presence and action rather than words. When interacting with other species, many adopt short, harsh names or descriptive titles, often bestowed upon them by others. Example Names: Rask, Thren, Kaal, Vor, Silex, Deepwake, Redcurrent, Blackfin
Carcharodon Traits
Charcharodons, born in the abyss, are shaped by their predatory nature and the depths of the ocean. Possessing keen instincts, heightened awareness, and brutal efficiency in close-quarters combat, they are formidable both in water and on land.Ability Score Increase
One ability score of your choice score increases by 2, and one other ability score of your choice increases by 1
Age
Charcharodons are long-lived, commonly reaching 250 years of age, with some surviving 400 to 500 years. They mature slower than humans, typically reaching adulthood around age 30.
Alignment
Most Charcharodons are independent and solitary. They tend toward neutral alignments, valuing survival and instinct over law or chaos, though individual dispositions vary.
Size
Charcharodons are Medium. Most are comparable in height to humans, but in rare instances, some individuals can reach up to 10 feet tall. They are taller and more muscular than most humans.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet. You have a swimming speed of 60 feet.
Darkvision
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 discern colors in that darkness only as shades of gray.
Deep Sea Predator
You do not need to sleep, and magic cannot put you to sleep. You can complete a long rest in 4 hours by entering a Bloodwake Trance. While in this trance, you appear inert but remain fully conscious: you can see and hear normally and cannot be surprised. You have resistance to cold damage. You have advantage on Wisdom (Survival) and Wisdom (Perception) checks made to track or locate creatures while underwater or against creatures that have been injured within the last hour on land.
Feeding Frenzy
our jaws are a natural weapon that you can use to make unarmed strikes. They deal 1d6 piercing damage plus your Strength modifier and count as a simple melee weapon. Bite damage increases as you level: 2d6 at 5th level, 3d6 at 11th level, and 4d6 at 19th level.
The Red Wake
When you score a critical hit against a creature at or below half its hit points, roll one additional damage die of the weapon’s base damage. When your Proficiency Bonus is 3 or higher, if you reduce a creature to 0 hit points, you may move up to half your speed without provoking opportunity attacks.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Primordial. You may also know Common, at the DM’s discretion. You can communicate simple ideas to any Beast that has a swimming speed. It can understand your words, though you have no special ability to understand it in return.
Skill Proficiencies
Choose two from Athletics, Intimidation, Perception, Stealth, or Survival.