Homebrew Selkie Species Details

Originally created by the archfey Hennalitulia, the first selkies were created to share in their longing and frustrating inability to explore the Frostfell. These charming creatures quickly earned the fondness of Hennalitulia's court, and eventually Hennalitulia herself.

With the blessings of their creator, however hesitant she was to allow them to venture from her embrace, the selkies traveled beyond the feywild and arrived in the material plane. Unfortunately, they were woefully unprepared for the world that awaited them, and this mistake would serve to bring about a far harsher punishment upon them than they could have ever imagined.

Selkies are bipedal and upon first glance almost appear humanoid, though certain traits serve as a jarring reminder of their feywild origins. Their eyes are abnormally large in comparison to other bipeds, with pupils that seem to eclipse most of the eye and hold an eerie glow beneath the moonlight. Their teeth are akin to that of a predator, sharp and clearly intended to grab and tear flesh. The webbing of their extremities and unnatural sleekness of their skin aids in their movement through aquatic terrain.

After having spent an untold amount of time on the material plane, it's environs have shifted the Selkie species into many distinct variations, their hearts having similarly changed in what it longs for. Iron, Oceanic, Swamp, and Wild are 4 examples of such variations.

Iron Selkies

The iron rich waters of the sea in which these selkies reside have left deposits of the mineral within the surface of their skin, permanently staining it in varying shades of red or other earthen tones and altering the smoothness of the skin in an oddly similar texture to that of a shark's, though notably more sturdy and durable as the iron deposits seem to act as a natural armor for them. These Selkies have deviated substantially from their predecessors and have given up their wishes to see the Frostfell, instead falling in love with the new world of the material plane they call home.

Oceanic Selkies

These selkies have adapted to the darkness of the material plane's ocean depths, with heightened eyesight. Their skin tends towards shades of cool grey, with occasional tints of blue, with markings that mimic the dappling of light upon the water's surface in various patterns. As they have settled into their new home, they now pine for the plane of water.

Note:  Art portraying the Ocean Selkie was made by @wolfykit on BSky

Swamp Selkies

The lush vegetation and murky waters of the swamps and marshes provide both a home and camouflage for swamp selkies, whose skin grows patches of mottled green like algae or moss as they age. As notably reclusive and skittish as they tend to be, the magic of these selkies has also adapted to further aid them in attempts at hiding or escape. They long explore the expanses of the Swamp of Oblivion, believing it to be safer than the lands they currently call home.

Wild Selkies

As the first children of Hennalitulia, the selkies of the feywild have a rather uncanny appearance. Their eyes are even larger, they permanently bear the soft dense snowy white or pale blue fluff reminiscent of a baby seal, and rather than simply having vestigial webbing their hands and feet appear incredibly flipper-like. Fittingly for creatures of this untamed place, their magic is rather varied between individuals and allows for changes to help sate their curiosity. They retain their deep rooted desire to explore the Frostfell, though they have yet to wander or attempt such a thing.

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Selkie Traits

Creature Type: Fey
Size: Medium (about 4 to 7 feet tall) or Small (about 3 to 4 feet tall), chosen when you select this species
Speed: 30 feet

As a Selkie, you have these special traits.

Bite

You have a fanged maw that you can use to make unarmed strikes. When you hit with it, the strike deals 1d6 + your Strength modifier slashing damage, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Darkvision

You have Darkvision with a range of 60 feet.

Hydrokinetic

You have a Swim Speed equal to your Speed.

Primordial Purpose

You can hold your breath for up to 1 hour, and you have Resistance to Cold damage.

Selkie Derivation

You are the recipient of a derivation that grants you supernatural abilities. Choose a derivation from the Selkie Derivation table. You gain the level 1 benefit of the chosen derivation.

When you reach character levels 3 and 5, you learn a higher-level spell, as shown on the table. You always have that spell prepared. You can cast it once without a spell slot, and you regain the ability to cast it in that way when you finish a Long Rest. You can also cast the spell using any spell slots you have of the appropriate level.

Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for the spells you cast with this trait (choose the ability when you select the derivation).

Selkie Derivation

DERIVATION	Level 1	Level 3	Level 5
Iron Selkie	While you aren’t wearing armor, your resilient skin gives you a base Armor Class of 13 + your Dexterity modifier. You also know the Shocking Grasp cantrip.	Shield	Heat Metal
Oceanic Selkie	The range of your Darkvision increases to 120 feet. You also know the Acid Splash cantrip.	Sleep	Suggestion
Swamp Selkie	As an action, you can change the color of your hide to match the color and texture of your surroundings, giving you advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide in those surroundings. You also know the Druidcraft cantrip.	Disguise Self	Mirror Image
Wild Selkie	You know the Ray of Frost cantrip. Whenever you finish a Long Rest, you can replace that cantrip with a different cantrip from the Sorcerer spell list.	Tasha's Hideous Laughter	Barkskin