Homebrew Ribbitan Species Details

"Accommodating.” It was the only word that our benefactor, Jean Ashley Basteux II, used to describe the Ribbitans we found while venturing though the Feywild. After that, they
became no more than a footnote in his life. I, however, recall the encounter differently… When we had unknowingly passed their threshold, twelve strong and heavy armed, they greeted us with food and water instead of sword and spell. They easily outnumbered us tenfold, but they chose to proceed with an open hand instead of a closed fist. In a foreign plane, I had never felt further and closer to home than I did that day.

-Cinder Bombarde, "Adventures on The Fortunate Bard"

Ribbitans are a wondrous species residing in the waters of the Feywild. They live in hidden intricate structures above and below the surface of the water, constructed of mud and plants from the wild. Unlike their modest and conservative Elven counterparts, Ribbitans live in tight knit communities full of hustle and bustle. They enjoy stimulating conversations, companionship, and living simple lives.

Compact and Comfortable
Ribbitans are usually around 3 feet tall. Being short and stout, they weigh between 35 and 65 pounds. Males in the species tend to have fuller, rounder body shapes while the female bodies are more angular, narrowing at the hips. Both genders of the species have tongues that range from 12 to 15 inches long. Each limb has four digits.

Their coloration varies between different shades of green, blue, red, and orange. A lighter tone of their skin color typically covers from the bottom of their jaw down to their stomach. A Ribbitan’s skin always appears to be moist, and some members can be bi-colored or have their bodies adorned with freckles or spots.

In terms of clothing, most non-combatant Ribbitans like to wear loose fitting clothing such as robes, ponchos, or spacious shirts and pants. Ribbitans that are prepared to go into battle will don reinforced versions of these clothing options or armor, although the armor must be made specifically for Ribbitans to fit appropriately.

Fill Every Moment
A Ribbitan’s time on this world is quite finite compared to other sentient species, only living for about 50 – 60 years. While this may seem like a hindrance to other species that live centuries, Ribbitans use their shortened lifespans to try to live their lives to the fullest. They befriend each other easily and do not tend to hold onto negative feelings for long.

Because they have a shorter resting cycle than most, their days are often filled with various activity.  Infant Ribbitans, or tadpoles, are confined to the waters of the Feywild until their lungs have developed. However, once they begin metamorphosis, they mature quickly. The gills under their developing neck fade and blend in with the skin, and they develop limbs and their fuller bodies within the second half of their first year. A tadpole becomes a Ribbitan once they become one year old but retain the ability to breathe underwater as their hidden gills flare out once submerged into water. They stop growing and are considered adults in their community by age four, quickly assuming roles in the society to aid in its growth.

Ribbitans are a social species, with most of the town being woven of tight bonds between many of their members. While their homes are hidden, they welcome wanderers of all races
that happen by their village. However, if you were to lose trust with one member of the clan, it is more than likely that the entire clan will share their views on you due to their bond.

Small Spaces, Big Developments:
Many Ribbitans live on or near water sources in the Feywild.  They hunt small aquatic and land game, forage for fruits and vegetables, and cultivate water crops. They make the most of
the limited areas that they are in, constructing mud huts from the earth and flora nearby that reach to the bottom of their water source in airtight structures. Their young are raised communally near the surface of the water in nurseries.

Ribbitans of all ages are inherently magical, and on a subconscious level use their abilities to keep their water dwellings hidden from plain sight. With populations in the hundreds, each one gives a little bit of their talent to mask their village in an illusion that makes the lake and nearby shore appear vacant, protecting them from predators and members of the greater Fey that they may not be in favor with. This illusion also prevents the noise from the influenced area from seeping out. This is primarily due to an agreement from centuries ago between the busy and loud Ribbitans and their more reserved neighbors, the Elves.

Ribbitans Outside of the Feywild
Ribbitans can exist outside of their typical Feywild roots. If a community of Ribbitans decides to cross into another plane, such as the Natural plane, they will seek to build their community near a water source such as a lake, river, or other freshwater location.

It is common that they will send diplomatic groups to neighboring friendly cities to ensure they are not encroaching on other developments that may take place in the same area.
If allowed, they are also receptive to starting their homes within an existing city or village as well. When doing this, they will occupy an area that has access to a freshwater source. If one is not available, they will construct a small lake or pond to reside in instead.

When inhabiting an area such as this, they will not use their collective magic to mask their domiciles unless requested by the existing leadership of the town.

Leaving Home:
With time being the biggest obstacle for them, a Ribbitan adventurer would typically leave their dwellings to engage in new experiences with the remaining life they have. Ribbitans outside of these communities are typically found alone or in a small group. They are primarily artists, pilgrims, or diplomats searching for means to better themselves or their homes with the knowledge of the outside world.

However, a Ribbitan who feels burdened by their ebbing lifespan might venture out on their own or with like minded individuals in pursuit of a way to extend their lives via magic items or research.

Ribbitan Names:
Ribbitans are given their names at birth, and rarely do they deviate from that name. Their names consist of the first name they were given and use their community names as
their last name when introducing themselves to outsiders. They are also fond of nicknames that relate to their surrounding environment or nature itself.

Female Names: Gla, Eco, Hadu, Anry, Hebla, Edu, Bry, Quico, Hudu, Bekla, Caco, Nernry
Male Names: Kibil, Isis, Felzac, Wod, Ris, Acod, Til, Xis, Jazzac, Undis, Pil, Ruzac, Dubil, Krix
Nicknames: Puff, Breeze, Pond, Spring, Water, Mud, Bog, Moss
Clan Names: Reed, Willow, Golden-Lily, Clearwater, Bubble, Stickyfoot, Rumblegut, Windrose

Ribbitan Traits

Your Ribbitan character has a spectrum of natural abilities due to their Fey origins and inherent magical abilities.

Ability Score Increase

Your Charisma score increase by 2 and your Dexterity score increase by 1.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet. Your base swimming speed is 35 feet.

Amphibious

You can breathe air and water.

Ribbitan Magic

You know the thaumaturgy and prestidigitation cantrips. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the silent image spell once per day. When you reach 5th level, you can also cast phantasmal force once per day.

Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Fey Ancestry

You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can't put you to sleep.

Trance

Ribbitans don't need to sleep. Instead, they silently rest and reflect on the conversations or adventures they had that day, remaining semiconscious, for 4 hours per day. Rather than dream, they retreat into their imagination, pondering different outcomes of the day previous or unique scenarios that have yet to happen. After resting this way, you gain the same benefit that a human does from 8 hours of sleep.

Languages

You can speak, read and write Common and Elvish. As your species shares the Feywild with Elves, Ribbitans have had extensive trading and diplomatic meetings with the Elven society.

Age

A Ribbitan reaches adulthood at the age of 4 and lives to be around 50 to 60 if unassisted by magical means.

Alignment

Ribbitans are typically good in nature. They are loyal to allies, and generally prefer to uphold expectations of society and those around them.

Size

Ribbitans grow up to be around 3 feet tall, give or take a few inches. Your size is Small.