Homebrew River Otter Species Details
Physical Description
Otterfolk stand at about two and a half feet tall and weigh about thirty pounds. They have short legs and arms, about seven inches each. Some have claws and all have webbed feet and hands. They have opposable thumbs. They have otter heads and are covered in a layer of waterproof brown fur. Otterfolk can walk on two legs or four and have webbed toes and fingers.
Tight Community
Otterfolk make their homes on the rivers of the world or floating rafts in the ocean. On Rivers the homes burrow into the ground and sometimes have tunnels that lead to other homes or back into the river. The ocean there are no tunnels, obviously, but they are all connected with planks and bouys. No matter where an otterfolk calls home, everyone knows everyone and consider every otter family, often calling everyone 'brother' or 'sister' excluding parents and the elders. The elders lead the tribe, their wisdom is highly valued.
Why So Serious?
In a world full or heartache and tragedy it can be hard to see the brighter side of things. The average lifespan of an otterfolk is around 60 years. To them there is no time like the present. Life is too short for them to hold grudges and even in the worst situations, they might crack a joke to lighten the mood. Not to be rude, but there's no point on dwelling on the past when you can do something about it. They can spend hours having philosophical debates about what's the best way to sit in a hammock or the best fishing spots. Otterfolk are also avid pranksters, the longer the relationship the more elaborate the prank.
Otterfolk Names
Otterfolk names tend to come from things in nature, such as Rock, Thistle, and Bark, or names of famous rivers or oceans. Although have often adopted human nicknames.
Male: Bark, Oak, Rock, Spruce, Thistle, Hudson, Creek, Stone, Reed
Female: Brook, Ivy, Moss, Petal, Pine, Babble, Kelp, Pebble, Tealeaf
Tribe Names: Seakelp, Mudtwig, Fishbone, Riverstone,
Friends To All
Otterfolk usually set out on the adventurer's path to defend their tribes, support their friends, or explore a wide and wonderful world. For them adventuring is a new way to meet people and they seem to get along with almost everyone. Especially halflings.
Subrace
Choose one of the subraces below or one from another source.
Otterfolk Traits
Otterfolk have many differing traits but are similar to their feral kin.
Deep Divers
You can hold your breath for 10 minutes.
Languages
You speak Common, Halfling, and Riverspeak (Otterfolk)
Ability Score Increase
Intelligence ability score increased by 2.
Age
An otterfolk reaches adulthood at the age of 16 and generally lives into the middle 50's.
Size
Otterfolk average about 3 feet tall and weigh about 30 pounds. Your size is Small.
Dense Coat
Just like the primal otters of the land, Otterfolk have exceptionally thick fur to keep warm.
Otterfolk have resistance to Cold damage and can naturally adapt to cold climates.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Aquatic Agility
Your swim speed your walking speed.
Darkvision
You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. YOu can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray. This also applies while underwater.
Water Speaker
You know the Shape Water cantrip.
River Otterfolk
River Otterfolk are the Kings of the River, as their name suggests. They get this by fishing and living along the great rivers. Agile swimmers against the current and stalwart defenders of the wild.
Life by the River
River otterfolk have more contact with the other mortal races considerably more than their sea brethren and has made them a little more charming or mischievous.
You are proficient in your choice of Deception (Cha) or Persuasion (Cha)
Ability Score Increase
Your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Natural Swimmer
When making a Swim check (Athletics) you can instead choose to make an Acrobatics (Dexterity) roll.
Ocean Otterfolk
Master of Tides.
Ocean Otterfolk live nearly their entire life on the waves. They meet sailors and other creatures of the deep, but unlike their river brethren ocean otterfolk are visibly larger and have greater stamina.
Ability Score Increase
Your Constitution score increases by 1.
Born for the Sea
You've spent your entire life on the ocean and know what's best for survival.
Your choice in proficiency with a tool or Survival (Wis) skill checks.
Ebb and Flow
Just like reading the tides and currents, reading an opponent's action comes easy to you. You know best when to fight against the current or go with it.
Once per short rest when making an Athletics (Str) ability check to perform a combat maneuver you may give yourself advantage on the roll. Attacking or defending.
River Otter Traits
River Otters evolved as the water rised.Deep Divers
You can hold your breath for 10 minutes.
Languages
You speak Common, Halfling, and Riverspeak (Otterfolk)
Ability Score Increase
Intelligence ability score increased by 2.
Darkvision
You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray. This also applies while underwater.
Water Speaker
You know the Shape Water cantrip.
Dense Coat
Just like the primal otters of the land, Otterfolk have exceptionally thick fur to keep warm.
Otterfolk have resistance to Cold damage and can naturally adapt to cold climates.
Ability Score Increase
Your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Life by the River
River otterfolk have more contact with the other mortal races considerably more than their sea brethren and has made them a little more charming or mischievous.
You are proficient in your choice of Deception (Cha) or Persuasion (Cha)