Homebrew Gargoyle Species Details

A Purpose Long Forgotten

Gargoyles have been used as a means of scaring evil spirits away from holy places, though a conscious one will give a more specific reason for their being. Not only fighting fiends and creatures of an evil nature, gargoyles seek to protect the livelihood of humanoids from any extraplanar intervention; whether facing good or bad, they are guardians of free will. Gargoyles are usually not beholden to any faith because of this, but their knowledge of deities and spiritual beings is incredibly extensive. 

Stony Disposition

The two states a gargoyle has are the animate and inanimate. Regardless of which it is in, it can observe its surroundings by hearing or what they see in their field of vision. Most gargoyles know and can communicate in terran, and are usually practiced in one or two other languages depending on what creatures they observe the most. Their voices are usually very deep, and have a slight echo to them as if their inside was hollow. There are often mistakes in identifying gargoyles based upon their voices alone, but the gargoyles have grown accustomed to this and find it more amusing than upsetting.

When standing, the average gargoyle is approximately 5 feet tall, and weighing between 500 and 2000 pounds. Despite most of the body being able to move as any flesh creature's would, the face is permanently suspended in one expression. They are observed to have anywhere between 2 and 8 limbs, including arms, legs, tails, wings, or heads. Their heads are often adorned with horns, and their fingers and toes sport sharp tips. Though incredibly heavy, gargoyles have the capability of flight provided they have limbs that would support it.

Thick Skinned

Virtually all kinds of weather and effects have very little impact on them--- though in their inanimate form, moss, lichen, vines, and other flora and fauna may take root on or inside gargoyle's bodies. While erosion and weathering may cause the most significant changes on their bodies, such processes have little effect in the long term on their lifespans or livelihood.

Solitary Overseers

Gargoyles are most commonly found as embellishments on buildings that serve religious or authoritative use, but it is not uncommon to find them carved in deep labyrinths or in ceremonial chambers. Having such lofty and opportune positions, gargoyles are witnesses to some of the most remarkable events, and have one of the best memories of all the planes. While some gargoyles are typically well-suited for battle, there are those that choose to be scholars, and have provided many of the insights in anonymous historical records.

Even with an adversity to good and evil, gargoyles are incredibly varied in their personalities and morals. However, they will not attack each other, even when alliances to other parties might butt heads.

Gargolian Names

Despite the reclusive nature of gargoyles, a few words have been spoken to record keepers, including names. Regardless of being male or female, gargoyles take names very seriously because it is an inherent belief that they carry a purpose in the life of their possessors.

Male and Female names: Arine, Bethas, Grotho, Halen, Halina, Evith, Mirhen, Polea, Sareth, Shamira, Thurin, Varith, Yiran, Zenil

Gargoyle Traits

Whether it be their protective nature, or their idle curiosities, a gargoyle might wander from its post to share its knowledge, or to keep otherworldy beings from the lives of those it has seen grow up. They are passive creatures, often coming off as gentle giants; but in battle they are incredibly formidable, serving as a source for stories to come. There isn't always a reason for their adventures, but even little whims seem to bring them a little bit of joy.

Size

Gargoyles are on average 5 feet tall, and weigh about 800 pounds. Your size is medium.

Speed

Gargoyles are very slow compared to other races, but in the air their magical properties aid them in being a bit more deft. Gargoyles also cannot swim, because they just sink to whatever body of water they step foot into. They don't drown because they don't breathe.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write in terran. You also know one extra language of your choice.

Alignment

Gargoyles are most often neutral, assuming no extreme moral commitments or practices. Those who seek knowledge and understanding of the world might tend more towards lawful,  though some might follow interests in a more spontaneous manner. It is very rare for gargoyles to be evil or good, because that is something most strive to defend against.

Darkvision

You can see in the dark out to 60 feet as if it were in dim light, and closer 30 feet as if it were bright. This vision is only in shades of gray.

Elemental Habits

Gargoyles don't eat or drink like other creatures of the material plane, and those that partake mostly do it for sport. They don't breath, and instead of sleeping they enter a meditative state much like elves do for four hours, however they remain fully conscious during this time (and this includes the second four hours of light activity). Unfortunately, they cannot move when partaking in this meditation, otherwise they do not receive the benefits of a long rest. While gargoyles don't become exhausted, they do slow down over time: for every long rest you skip, your speed is reduced by five feet.

Your fingertips are sharpened into permanent points, and while handling certain affairs would make things difficult, in battle they prove to be useful. When you make an unarmed strike, you deal 1d6 slashing damage.

False Appearance

While remaining completely still, it is impossible to differentiate a gargoyle from a normal statue.

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Constitution increases by 1.

Age

Gargoyles reach maturity when they are first carved, and can their lifespan lasts as long as their bodies do.

Stone Resilience

Even if made of limestone, metal does little damage when trying to cut through a gargoyle. Piercing, bludgeoning, and slashing damage from nonmagical/nonadamantine attacks are halved, and you are immune to being petrified, poisoned, and poison damage. You cannot wear armor, instead you rely on your stone body to take the brunt of physical attacks. Your AC equals 10 + DEX modifier + CON modifier.