Homebrew Dalladeen Species Details

Dalladeen live in tribes in the most acidic of swamps and marshes, skirmishing with neighbouring tribes and outsiders. Ruthless and efficient they kill most outsiders, ambushing them from below the murky surface of the waters. 

Amphibious Humanoids

Dalladeen are amphibious and bipedal though at a glance they look almost similar to humans, though they stand much shorter and their frame is slight. From a distance somebody unfamiliar with the dalladeen might mistake them for a short and malnourished human. Up close it would be almost impossible to make such a mistake, their large gular sacs hanging down over their chest. This gular sac is larger on male dalladeen than it is on a females, it is common for a dalladeen to expand the gular sac as a sign of dominance in combat. The gular sac is also often used for the storage of food, often left in the sac for hours, allowing the dalladeen to catch excess food and save some for later. A common misconception is that the gular sac is used to store the long tongue of the dalladeen, though this is untrue, the length of the tongue mainly comes from being attached at the front of the mouth, unlike other races where it is attached at the back.

Tribal Gatherers

The tribes of the dalladeen do not grow food or maintain livestock, instead hunting and gathering within their own territory. Due to this, the growth of a tribe is limited, only ever being able to sustain small populations. The tribe works together to provide enough food for everybody and to protect their territory from outsiders. Most dalladeen spend their days either hunting fish and small reptiles or scouting along tribal borders, looking for signs of incursion. 

Dalladeen tribes are built amongst the reeds of the swamps, in muddy soil. The buildings are usually temporary, built out of materials on hand, and often built just below water level. Many dalladeen spend the majority of their lives at least partially submerged in water. Their webbed feet and fingers allow them to live close to the water, easily switching between walking and swimming.

Endless Skirmish

The territorial nature of the dalladeen tribes, leads to constant war and skirmishes amongst the tribes. As each group fights over borders and food it becomes necessary for most dalladeen to become skilled combatants, masters of scouting and ambush. The constant skirmishes also mean that very few dalladeen make it past 25 years, though they can easily live to 60 in safer environments. Though even in the outside world they often seek fights and adventure, accustomed to the high action lifestyle of tribal life. This tends to lead dalladeen that live outside the tribes to become adventurers, often struggling to integrate into a normal lifestyle. 

Dalladeen Names

Most dalladeen only have one name, there is no need for last names amongst the tribes. Male names traditionally end with the letters 'b', 'd', 'g' or 'k'. Female names traditionally end with the letters 'l', 'm', 'n' or 's'. 

Female Dalladeen Names: Arryl, Brim, Duthyn, Felorel, Otanys, Shalryn, Vlarym, Wolyn, Zoryl

Male Dalladeen Names: Corrok, Delnig, Jhimad, Kerob, Molob, Nalog, Reenok, Tarog, Vodok, Zunik

Dalladeen Traits

Your dalladeen character has the following racial traits.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Age

Dalladeen have shorter lifespans than humans. They reach maturity at about 12 years old and can live to 60.

Alignment

Dalladeen murder and raid to gain tribal territory and often resort to cannibalism. As such, they tend towards evil.

Size

Dalladeen are typically between 4 and 5 feet tall and weigh between 65 and 100 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet, and you have a swimming speed of 30 feet.

Languages

You can speak, read and write Common and Aquan.

Sticky Tongue

Your large tongue folds out, wrapping around your prey and holding them in place. You can use your tongue to grapple targets up to 10 feet away. Normal rules for grappling otherwise apply. When a target is grappled in this way your saliva coats their skin and you deal 1d6 acid damage at the beginning of the target's turn. Additionally, you can make minor interactions with your tongue, such as activating buttons, casting touch spells or retrieving small items, from a distance of up to 10 feet.

Amphibious

You can breathe air and water.

Acidic Resistance

Your body has adapted to the acidic waters of the marshes you call home. You have resistance to acid damage.

Natural Camouflage

You have advantage on Dexterity(Stealth) checks to hide in swamps, marshes and wetlands. You can also take the hide action when submerged in murky waters.