Homebrew Calamari Species Details

This aquatic people are humanoid in shape, possessing two arms and two legs, but their bodies are unmistakably fish-like. Their skin may be covered in scales, smooth like an eel, armored with bony plates, or decorated with fins, spines, lures, and other aquatic features.

No two members of the race are exactly alike. Rather than reproducing through eggs of their own, they obtain the eggs of other aquatic creatures and introduce their own genetic material into them. The developing offspring becomes a member of their race while also inheriting physical characteristics from the creature whose egg was used.

Because of this process, individuals can possess traits from several different kinds of fish at once. One might have the jaws of a shark, the glowing lure of an anglerfish, and the spines of a lionfish, while another may possess colorful reef scales, wide fins, and an eel-like body. These differences are considered a natural and important part of their people rather than separate subspecies.

Their settlements are most commonly found beneath the water, though their amphibious bodies allow them to live and travel on land as well. They possess their own language, made up of unusual clicks, bubbling sounds, vibrations, and changes in pitch designed to carry clearly through water. Some speakers also use movements of their fins, hands, or bodies to add meaning that can be difficult for outsiders to understand.

Their unusual method of reproduction has shaped much of their culture and their relationships with other aquatic peoples. Some communities secretly steal eggs from nearby creatures, while others carefully gather, trade, or raise suitable eggs themselves. Regardless of where an individual comes from, their mixed biology means that each member carries a unique combination of aquatic ancestry.

Calamari Traits

Your unusual hybrid biology grants you a variety of aquatic adaptations. Although every member of your race develops differently depending on the eggs and genetic material involved in their creation, all share several traits that allow them to survive both beneath the water and on land.

Amphibious

You can breathe both air and water.

Aquatic Amalgam

Your body bears useful features inherited from countless aquatic creatures. You have advantage on saving throws against being poisoned, and you have resistance to poison damage.

Current Sense

You are highly sensitive to movement and vibrations in the water. While submerged, you have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on detecting nearby movement.