Homebrew Crabbard Species Details

The crabbard are an amphibious race of crab-like people. They are most famous for their pincers and tough shells over their bodies; they have eyes on short stalks, and their feet are two-clawed. The main difference between males and females is pincer size, with males having larger ones; males have a more triangular pattern on their stomachs, while females will have a more spade-shaped one. They reach maturity at about the age of 15, and can live for 90 years, or perhaps decades longer in optimal conditions. An average mature crabbard will stand at or around 5' tall and weigh in the range of 120 pounds, but they continue to grow over their lifetimes until their extreme old age; some elder crabbard have been measured at 6'11" tall and a weight of 260 lbs. Their shells are usually sandy or watery blue tones, although there are occasionally more vibrant red or blue crabbard.

Crabbard society is free and open to all on their own merits. A reputation of honesty is key, as is generosity- crabbard aren't known for their charity, but they despise those that take advantage of those of less means, and are more inclined to pull up their friends with them than step over them towards prominence. These things lead most crabbard to be of Neutral or Good alignments.

One reason for crabbard being scrappy and and willing to defend their friends and homes is that many other species hunt them for food and sport. They regularly deal with raiders from above and below the waves, and have sentries on constant watch.

Crabbard Traits

Their amphibious nature and tough shells give crabbard the ability to take the fight to the land or sea.

Call of the Waves

Your Strength score is increased by +2, and your Wisdom score by +1.

Sea Stride

You have a swim speed of your speed, and proficiency in the Athletics skill. You're also able to breathe underwater.

Crush Grip

When you grapple a target with an unarmed attack, it takes 1d6+Strength modifier bludgeoning damage at the end of its turns as long as you have it grappled.

Pincers

You cannot make use of the Finesse property of weapons, and you have advantage on grappling targets with unarmed melee attacks.

Ancestral Weapons

While fearsome in close quarters, crabbard are not the most mobile race, and since time immemorial have taken up weapons to address this shortcoming. You gain proficiency with the Pike, Javelin, Trident, and Net.

Shellacious Resilience

Due to your shell and the shape of your body, you're ill-suited to wearing armor. Your shell provides ample protection, however; it gives you a base AC of 17(your Dexterity modifier doesn't affect this number). You gain no benefit from wearing armor, but if you are using a shield, you can apply the shield's bonus as normal. Your shell also gives you resistance to slashing damage from weapon attacks.