Homebrew Crustaceade Species Details

 

Oceanic kingdoms stretch and swim in the depths. Many have been forgotten, and few are still heard from by the ocean races, but two are known by scholars and sailors. The Crustaceade Kingdomain. That is where you will find most of these craboids, and where you will find the deep sea's lost monster. The Crustaceade Lord.

Short and Stout

Crustaceades are known for their hard shells, and smaller bodies. They range from 4 to 6 feet in height usually for a Crustaceadean warrior.

Crustaceadean shells ranges from deep brown to a brilliant hue tinged with red, but the most common shades are light brown or deep tan, like certain tones of earth or sea. Usually, they do not have hair unless it is magically given, when it is actually there, it is long and much like the seaweed that can be found. Those with hair take very good care of it and pride themselves with it, so usually they are mages.

Long Soul, Longer Holds

Theoretically, Crustaceades can live forever and grow forever because they are made from the same stock as lobsters, so the older members often remember a very different world. For example, some of the oldest Crustaceades are found living in their Kingdomain by the Lord. Many can recall the day, more than six centuries ago, when their god was struck down by a war. This longevity grants them a perspective on the world that shorter-lived races such as humans and halflings lack.

Crustaceades are strong minded, even if a little dumb. As the ocean does not change often, neither do they thus they remember much of their history.. They respect the traditions of their clans, tracing their ancestry back to the founding of their most ancient strongholds in the youth of the world, and don’t abandon those traditions lightly. Part of those traditions is devotion to the lords, who uphold the crustaceadean ideals of labor, strength, skill in battle, and protection of Lords.

Kingdomains

The two kingdomains of the Crustaceades hide deep beneath the waves and are often thought to be remnants of kingdoms like Atlantis, though that is only partly true. Sailors often avoid the kingdomains of the Crustaceades as their Pistol Shrimp warriors fiercely protect the area around it, and sometimes the tall figure of an eyestalk can be seen reaching up from where the Kingdomain would be. Much is unknown about the Crustaceades and their Kingdomains but it is true that they dislike boats, so traders frequently handle trade in land deals, along beaches. Trustworthy members of other races are welcome in Crustaceadean settlements, though most areas are off limits even to them.

The chief unit of Crustaceade society is the Lord, and they highly value social standing with the Lord. Even those who live far from their kingdomains cherish their clan identities and affiliations, recognize related members, and invoke their ancestors’ names in oaths and curses.

Crustaceades that are not in the Kingdomains often find themselves being guards for their hard shells. They also exude an aura of strength that can't be shaken by the other races. To be a cowardly crustaceade is a death sentence, especially when faced with a Lord.

Gods, and Lords

Crustaceades do not often take up an adventuring mantle, but if they do it is likely to settle something that they feel has done wrong. Lords, who are also called their gods, can give out these commands so that they leave the kingdomain.

SLOW TO TRUST

Crustaceades get along passably well with most other races. “The difference between an acquaintance and a friend is about a hundred years,” is a crustaceade saying that might be hyperbole, but certainly points to how difficult it can be for a member of a short-lived race like humans to earn a dwarf’s trust.

Elves. “It’s not wise to depend on the elves. No telling what an elf will do next; when the hammer meets the orc’s head, they’re as apt to start singing as to pull out a sword. They’re flighty and frivolous. Two things to be said for them, though: They don’t have many smiths, but the ones they have do very fine work. And when orcs or goblins come streaming down out of the mountains, an elf’s good to have at your back. Not as good as a dwarf, maybe, but no doubt they hate the orcs as much as we do.”

Halflings. “Sure, they’re pleasant folk. But show me a halfling hero. An empire, a triumphant army. Even a treasure for the ages made by halfling hands. Nothing. How can you take them seriously?”

Humans. “You take the time to get to know a human, and by then the human’s on her deathbed. If you’re lucky, she’s got kin—a daughter or granddaughter, maybe—who’s got hands and heart as good as hers. That’s when you can make a human friend. And watch them go! They set their hearts on something, they’ll get it, whether it’s a dragon’s hoard or an empire’s throne. You have to admire that kind of dedication, even if it gets them in trouble more often than not.”

Crustaceadean Names

The name of a crustaceade is given to them by their forefather, and can be taken away so that they are a nameless face in the crowd of warriors. Losing a name does not mean much other than that their home has been abandoned entirely.

 

Subrace

Three main subraces of crustaceades populate the worlds of D&D: Pistol Shrimp, Hermit Crabs, and Lobstates

Crustaceade Traits

Your crustaceadean character has characteristics that was naturally born with.

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 2.

Age

Dwarves mature at the same rate as humans, but they’re considered young until they reach the age of 50. On average, they live about 350 years.

Size

Dwarves stand between 4 and 5 feet tall and average about 150 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet. Your speed is not reduced by wearing heavy armor.

Crab's Resilience

You have advantage on saving throws against that require constitution or being toppled. (explained in the “Combat” section).

Diver's Warning

You have the ability to sense poisoned food items.

Tool Proficiency

You gain proficiency with the artisan’s tools of your choice: smith’s tools, brewer’s supplies, or mason’s tools.

Shielded Body

When in combat, you have the ability to sacrifice all movements for three turns to boost your AC 3 points.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Dwarvish. Dwarvish is full of hard consonants and guttural sounds, and those characteristics spill over into whatever other language a dwarf might speak.