Homebrew Gargoyle Species Details

This race is inspired by the 1990s TV show of the same name. Its features, especially Stone Sleep, have been adapted to better fit with the larger 5e mechanics.

______________________________________

A legacy of ancient times, gargoyles are seclusive and ever watchful of the outside world. They have always been present though few humanoids would know. These seclusive beings turn to rigid stone when they sleep and can often be found guarding castles or fortresses, quietly watching while their feats live on in legend. 

Wings and Claws

Gargoyles are monstrous-looking beings who can range anywhere from 4 feet to over 7 feet tall. Their skin comes in a variety of gray tones, tending toward blue, green, brown, and yellow. They often wear their wings draped about themselves like cloaks when walking, but this is only a passing reference and they could never be mistaken for humans with their thick muscular tails, pointed teeth, backward-bent knees and strong claws. Many also have horns or fin-like ears, and there are many variations between bloodlines and clans.

Born of eggs, gargoyles are raised communally in rookeries. They consider any other gargoyles from their same rookery as siblings, regardless of parentage.

Visage of Stone

The greatest difference between gargoyles and other humanoids is that they turn to stone when they sleep. They cannot be woken until they are fully rested, but are fully healed when they wake. Because they are vulnerable during this state, most gargoyles choose to sleep during the day and use secrecy as their greatest defense.

Clandestine Clans

Duty and loyalty to the clan is the most important thing in a gargoyle’s life. They live to protect each other within the clan's rigid hierarchy. A gargoyle clan will often ally with an establishment of another humanoid race, and an individual gargoyle sees it as their sworn duty to protect this larger clan as well.

Secrecy is a gargoyle’s greatest defense, especially during their vulnerable sleeping periods. As such, gargoyles do not often venture far beyond the lands they protect and are distrustful of outsiders. However, some gargoyles may grow tired of this life or balk at the rigid structure of clan life and venture for greater knowledge and adventure in the outside world.

Gargoyle Names

Gargoyles do not give each other names, seeing it as a foreign concept as strange as trying to name the sky. They typically call each other “friend”, “brother”, or “sister” within their own clans, though when dealing with other humanoids they will often take up the name of a place or feature that fits their personality. Most male gargoyles tend toward names reflecting strength or protection, while female names refer to more ethereal ideas.

Male Gargoyle Names: Goliath, Steadfast, Fortress, Bulwark, Duty, Cliff, Honor

Female Gargoyle Names: Night, Stalker, Demona, Aerie, Wave, Upward, Swoop

Gargoyle Traits

As a gargoyle, you are completely vulnerable when you sleep. Talk to your DM about how this will affect the rest of the party and how to work it into your campaign.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Gargoyles age at roughly a quarter the rate of humans. They reach maturity by 75 and live up to 350 years. 

Alignment

Due to their rigid clan structure with defined leaders, gargoyles tend toward lawful alignments.

Size

Gargoyles vary in size. They can be as short as 4 feet tall and grow to almost 8 feet. They are heavily muscled and in their flesh forms they weigh between 100 and to nearly 400 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Wings

Gargoyle wings allow them to glide. You have a flying speed of 40 feet but you can only descend or move laterally. You cannot move upwards while in the air. You cannot use this ability while wearing heavy armor.

Claws

Your talons are natural melee weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal slashing damage equal to 1d6 plus your strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning image normal for an unarmed strike.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Primordial.

Swooping Strike

Once per turn, if you make a weapon attack after moving 15 feet while airborne, you may deal additional weapons damage equal to your Strength modifier.

Stone Sleep

Gargoyles don't sleep the way other humanoids do though they use the same term. Instead, they turn to immobile stone. When you begin a long rest, you turn into stone. For 6 hours, your AC becomes 19 and you are petrified. This status cannot be removed until the 6 hours are complete. At the end of 6 hours you wake, are no longer petrified, Your AC returns to normal, and you gain the benefits of a long rest.