Homebrew Cecaelia Species Details

From the waist up, cecaelias resemble humans with agile but muscular builds. Their eye, hair, and skin coloring tends to mimic that of surfacers in nearby communities; this natural adaptive trait allows them to more easily form social bonds with neighbors. Instead of humanoid legs, cecaelias have eight cephalopod tentacles that allow them to move quickly both on land and underwater. Cecaelia tentacles tend toward shades of brown, russet, emerald green, and deep blue, with coral tones on the suckered underside.

Cecaelias generally get along well with humans, as both races share the experience of being a relatively short-lived race among much longer-lived peoples. Cecaelias also ally frequently with locathahs, as the fish-people are as social and inquisitive as they are. Cecaelias are proud but don’t hold themselves above other races, reacting with cautious openness when meeting new people. They’re sensitive to condescension, though, and they anger quickly if they suspect someone is talking down to them. Overly flowery language or flattery can likewise insult them; cecaelias respect those who speak plainly, even if what they have to say is unpleasant.

Cecaelias rarely form large settlements. Cecaelia families with infants and young children band together for protection, remaining in one area. Once the children reach the age of five, they’re considered strong enough to no longer need the protection of a large group; the family then leaves the settlement with the children and resumes its nomadic ways.

Cecaelias often decorate their bodies with tattoos. Cecaelia tattoo artists are valued members of a cecaelia community and create colorful pigments from cephalopod ink, sea plants, and tropical fish. Always seeking new experiences, cecaelias also visit coastal settlements and hail passing ships to trade for tattoo services; a cecaelia sporting a “land drawn” tattoo earns respect and admiration from her peers. Most cecaelias favor swooping, abstract tattoos reminiscent of ocean currents, though some memorialize their adventures or significant life experiences with symbolic images.

Cecaelia Traits

As cecaelias are unusual and powerful monstrous creatures, you should play one only with your DM’s permission.

Ability Score

Cecaelias are nimble and have a canny insight, but they tend to be flighty.

Swim Speed

Cecaelias have a swim speed of 40 feet.

Amphibious

Cecaelias are amphibious and can breathe both air and water.

Languages

Cecaelias begin play speaking Aquan and Common.

Darkvision

Cecaelias have darkvision with a range of 60 feet.