Homebrew Costal Merfolk (Ginny Di) Species Details

In the depths of the ocean, amidst the gentle sway of seaweed forests, the merfolk make their home. From the rocky shores where they sun themselves to the shadowy depths where the sunlight cannot reach, merfolk occupy all the extremes of the sea the same way that land-dwellers traverse each mountain and valley. Whether they are guiding sailors through treacherous seas, summoning storms to toss the ocean, or defending their underwater realms from invaders, merfolk are deeply connected to the world both above and below the waves.

Hues of the Sea
Merfolk are as diverse as the oceans they inhabit. Most have heads and torsos that could be mistaken for human if not for the kelp-like hues of their hair or the glittering traces of scales on their skin, combined with the tail of a fish or the powerful limbs of an octopus. But some merfolk resemble aquatic beasts more strongly, with furred seal-like faces or broad shark-like heads.

The merfolk body commonly features colors that blend with their surroundings, such as blues, greens, and neutral shades, for both protection and predation. However, vibrant colors are not unusual in tropical environments, and merfolk who live in the darkest depths may sport bioluminescent markings. They may also have webbed fingers, gills, and ventral or dorsal fins in addition to tail fins.

Kingdoms Beneath the Waves
Merfolk can be found in diverse aquatic environments, from shallow coastal waters to the deepest parts of the ocean. But they are not confined to saltwater, and many thrive in freshwater environments like rivers and lakes. Like land-dwellers, some merfolk live in small settlements, while others build intricate cities, from sunlit coral palaces to sprawling, deep-sea metropolises.

Merfolk societies are equally varied. Some interact regularly with terrans, engaging in trade and diplomacy, while others live so far from land that interactions with non-aquatic beings are rare.

Costal Merfolk (Ginny Di) Traits

Several different subraces of merfolk populate the world's waters: coastal, deepwater, and tidal merfolk. Choose one of these subraces.

Ability Score Increase

When determining your character's ability scores, increase one score by 2 and increase a different score by 1, or increase three different scores by 1. Follow this rule regardless of the method you use to determine the scores, such as rolling or point buy. You can't raise any of your scores above 20.

Merfolk's Breath

You can cast the water breathing spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Additionally, when you cast this spell on a creature, it gains a swimming speed equal to its walking speed for the duration of the spell.

Amphibious

You can breathe air and water.

Sea Legs

As a bonus action, you can transform between your merfolk and humanoid forms. When in merfolk form, you have a swimming speed equal to your walking speed.

Aquatic Affinity

If you spend 4 hours submerged in water during your long rest, you add 10 feet to your swim speed until your next long rest.

Voice of the Siren

You can use your famously enchanting merfolk voice to influence those around you with speech or music.

If you speak or sing to a humanoid that isn't hostile toward you for at least 1 minute, it is inclined to perceive you favorably. You have advantage on all Charisma checks against this creature for one hour. The target has no hint that you tried to influence it.

Once you have used the Voice of the Siren on a creature, it is immune to the effect for the next 24 hours.

Tide Tongue

The power of the coastal merfolk's voice transcends language barriers. You can speak to any creature that has a language, and it will understand you even if you do not share a common language. This trait does not grant you the ability to understand the creature's response.