Homebrew Blind Cave Merfolk Species Details

These merfolk are made for the darkness of caverns and tunnels, living a more amphibious life than their aquatic counterparts in the shallow streams and small bodies of water in the depths of the caves they make their homes in.  They completely lack eyes, are unusually small for merfolk, have a pale, grayish coloration, and, unlike the common merfolk, have legs in the place of a fish's tail.

Isolated in Darkness

Living in the watery depths of the underdark, it is not uncommon for blind cave merfolk to go their whole lives without ever stepping in the sunlight or even interacting with creatures outside of their tribes.  Most folks don't know they exist, and those that do know see them as cowardly recluses who refuse to leave home.  In spite of this, the majority of these merfolk have no problem with this way of life and consider their lifestyle to be very comfortable.  

Tightly-Knit Tribes

To a blind cave merfolk, their tribe is the most important thing in the world.  They are very loyal, social creatures and the very concept of living alone is practically unthinkable to them.  They are firm believers in the idea that "it takes a village to raise a child" and everyone takes part in the process of bringing up children.  Deaths in a tribe are an incredibly big deal and mourning the fallen can last for months or even years after their demise.  On the rare occasion that one of these merfolk ventures into the outside world, they are likely to quickly form a bond with those they encounter and will seek out close friends in the place of a tribe.

Blind Cave Merfolk Names

These merfolk choose their own names at age ten in a traditional naming ceremony.  They often choose names based on their surroundings, believing them to be signs from their ancestors to help them choose a fitting name.  Because of this, their names hold a great spiritual significance and there is little distinguishable difference between male and female names.

Example names: Bat, Beetle, Clay, Lichen, Moss, Marble, Onyx, Pebble, Spider, Stone.

Blind Cave Merfolk Traits

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Racial Traits

Ability Score Increase - Your Dexterity score increase by 2 and your Constitution score increases by 1.

Age - These merfolk live for 50-60 years.

Alignment - Most blind cave merfolk lean towards neutral alignments, not caring for much outside of their home and their tribe.

Size - Blind cave merfolk average around 3-4 feet tall and weigh roughly 50 pounds.  Your size is small.

Speed - Your base walking speed is 25 feet, and you have a swim speed of 35 feet.

Blindsight - Thanks to your finely tuned senses, you are aware of your surroundings on land within a 30 foot radius, which is tripled while submerged in water.  This feature does not apply if you are deafened.

Naturally Stealthy - You can attempt to hide when you are obscured only by a creature that is one size larger than you.  You are also able to cast pass without a trace once, requiring no material components, and you regain the ability to cast it this way when you finish a long rest. Constitution is your spellcasting ability for this spell.

Amphibious - You can breathe both air and water.

Blind - You are considered to have the blinded condition at all times.

Languages - You can speak Common, Aquan, and Undercommon.