Homebrew Walrus (Whalers of Sahar) Species Details

Huts made of elaborate bone and hides, hideouts borrowed out in rock and salt, the blabbering sounds of a rustling town, and the stern near soulless look in their eyes -these common threads unite all walruses.

Burly and Fishy

As wide as they are high, walrus are known as skill fisherman, great harpooners, excellent trackers and workers of stone and bone. Though they stand around 6 feet tall, walrus are broad and blubbering that they can weigh more than a human standing nearly two feet taller. Their courage and endurance are also easily a match for any of the larger folk. Walrus interact only when needed with other races and generally have a tendency to distrust others - even their own kin.

Walrus skin ranges from deep brown, to gray, to shades of pink. Sometimes even some blue markings can come creeping around the corner. They often appear like certain tones of earth or muddied ice. Their hair is thinly spread but very thick and coarse. The tusks protruding from their upperjaw can reach lengths as much as 2 to 3 feet and appear from bonewhite to shades of black and brown.

Utilitarian and Traditional

Walrus can live up to around 80 years old, which most don't attain. An older walrus nearly always means that their still fit and ready to have attained such an age. 

Traditionally walrus live in clans of around 40 to 60 individuals. When a walrus is strong and witty enough they can choose to leave the safety of the clan in order to seek out more strength. It is a custom that leads back many generations. Upon their return they are expected to either be old, attained some sort of vast wealth or knowledge, or be dead. The dead walruses are carefully examined for marks - as each healed scar will increase their reputation and name. Especially the counts of notches on their tusks will increase their status to legend. A dispute between walrus can easily be settled by comparing notches. 

Individual walrus are shady and creative, their word only carrying as far as its needs. Although they can bend truths in many situations to a more favorable one, they will never lie over the vows and notches they accumulate. Many walrus have a natural justice system, where the weaker and infavorable ones die out. So walrus have grown tough and strong, but physically and emotionally to cope with hardships. The clan however, is something that always needs to be protected.

Craftsman and Protectors

Walrus clans often stretch thinly over plains of tundra, ice, cliffsides or rocky outcrops. From a distance you wouldn't know that there even was a clan in the first place. The houses they make seem wild and patched together at first but upon closer inspection you'll see intricate knots, careful carving and delicate paintwork. Walruses will attempts to use very simple part what they can scavenge or craft. From the boney ribs of fish to the bladder of a whale, every part is used.

Boating is second nature to them, so trade is plentiful. Most walrused tend to stick to a singular trade and become exceptional at them. Walrus have a certain distrust in most races but can appear very welcoming in nature. 

The chief unit of walrus society is the clan, and walrus highly value social standing.

Walrus in other lands are typically artisans woodworkers, stonesmiths, or bonehewers. But they appear often as hired hunters, trackers or traders as well.

Walrus Names

A walruses name is given by their birthmother. New names are frequent and each appears to be more elaborate than before. A walrus last name is its clanname, which is often a stereotypical representation of their customs. Because of their blubbers certain letters are elongated, and this reflects in the naming. The naming is unisex.

Names: Gannderrbinn, Porrtorreek, Marremdom, Vranggdogann, Perrodrimm, Vaardurrgaar

Clan Names: Saltchewer, Bonelicker, Marrowboiler, Icedigger, Fishfeaster, Stonecarver.

Walrus (Whalers of Sahar) Traits

Your walrus character has an assortment of inborn abilities, part and parcel of walrus nature and culture.

Fearless

You have advantage on saving throws against being frightened.

Tusks

Your tusks are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Arctic Body

Your blubber is denser than water, making you exceptional agile in water and able to easily hold your breath for longer. Your natural strong frame has no problems with wearing light or medium armor. Your swimming speed is 25 feet. Your minimum breath holding time is 120 seconds instead of 90 seconds. You have proficiency with light and medium armor.

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 2.

Age

Walruses mature at a bit faster than humans, and they’re considered young until they reach the age of 25. On average, they live about 80 years.

Alignment

Most walruses are neutral, believing firmly in the natural order. They tend toward good with a strong tendency to protect nature and make sure no creatures are gone to waste. Chaotic alignments for walruses are rare, but those that are often hiding something. 

Size

Walruses stand between 5 and 6 feet tall and average about 400 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet. Your swimming speed is 25 feet. Your speed is not reduced by wearing heavy armor.

Darkvision

Accustomed to life at or in the sea, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. 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.

Thick Blubber

You have resistance against cold damage (explained in the “Combat” section).

Natural Fishermen

You have proficiency with the club, sickle, spear, javelin, trident, and dagger.

Tool Proficiency

You gain proficiency with the artisan’s tools of your choice: smith’s tools, brewer’s supplies, or mason’s tools.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Dwarvish. Dwarvish is full of hard consonants and guttural sounds, and those characteristics spill over into whatever other language a dwarf might speak.