Homebrew Scylla Species Details

"She was a monstrous sight! She fended off all the creatures that attempted to sink us she did!,”  the captain exclaimed, "After that she led us though the mists like they weren't even there to begin with..."

The nobleman sat and listened. Despite sending his ships though such dangerous waters they passed unscathed and on time. The Scylla they hired was well worth the coin she asked for. She had demanded extra at the end for the lack of information they shared with her about the cargo. It was illegal to transport merfolk for the slave business after all, but all she wanted to keep her mouth shut was a merfolk for herself. Happily we obliged; no idea what that sea witch did after that though.

— Lord Stormsong VI

Scylla are strong-willed, and a little bit ferocious. They attack ships traveling at sea, stealing food and men. They possess the ability to hide in tiny crevices which one wouldn't think they'd be able to fit in. While they have a strong side, they also have a cowardly nature as well. Because of this, when danger approaches they hide in those kinds of crevices. Also, they've been known to use such crevices as hiding places from which to launch sudden tentacle attacks on those who happen to be passing by, so be wary.

Sea Born

Scylla possess the upper bodies of humans, with the lower bodies and tentacles of octopi, though their skin pigmentation sometimes has a drastically wilder variety of colors compared to ordinary humans. Unlike other creatures, Scylla eyes have fat horizontal pupils, not unlike actual octopus eyes. To keep themselves from drying out on land, a scylla’s rubbery skin is covered in a layer of slime that is more viscous than that of their merfolk or amphibious cousins.

Scylla like to incorporate sea live like shells, starfish, bones, and seaweed into their clothing and jewlery. They see it as tacky to wear stones instead of parts of actual living things.

A Outsiders View

Scylla can live well over 1000 years, giving them a broad perspective on events that might trouble the shorter-lived races more deeply. They are more often amused than excited, and more likely to be curious than greedy. They tend to remain aloof and unfazed by petty happenstance. When pursuing a goal, however, whether adventuring on a mission or learning a new skill or art, Scylla can be focused, stubborn, and relentless. They are slow to make friends and enemies, and even slower to forget them. They reply to petty insults with disdain and to serious insults with vengeance.

Scylla being solitary creatures are often on the outside of modern ideas and concepts. As such they are very curious of new things, but tend to come off as odd and off putting because of their rare and monstrous looking physique.

Hidden Ocean Depths

Scylla live deep in the ocean beyond sight of most land dwellers. They are self sufficient hunters, gatherers, and make their own tools and clothing. Their contact with outsiders is usually limited, though a few scylla make a good living by trading crafted items for materials only available on land.

Scylla encountered outside of the ocean are considered a rare sight. Human nobles compete for the services of Scylla when crossing the sea as their expertise is legendary both for navigation and conflict.

 

STRONG AND PROUD

Scylla are strong and proud, but they do feel for the short comings of other species.

Merfolk. “Short lived and wild fish. They are a handful to deal with and a washout at gatherings. I don't bother them and they leave me alone.”

Elves. “They are like the land version of us. So wise, cultured and well kept. They understand the beauty of natural things and not all these dirt rocks the humans use.”

Humans. “All that haste, their ambition and drive to accomplish something before their brief lives pass away—human endeavors seem so futile sometimes. But then you look at what they have accomplished, and you have to appreciate their achievements. If only they could slow down and learn some refinement.”

Scylla Names

Scylla are considered children until they leave their mothers side and become adults; some time after the hundredth birthday. Before this period they are called by child names.

On declaring adulthood, an Scylla selects an adult name, although those who knew him or her as a youngster might continue to use the child name. Scylla names are usually cryptic and not share among those who aren't close friends or family. They are generally just referred to as witches by land dwellers.

Child Names: Ame, Cali, Lagu, Lora, Peis, Nea, Zeli

Male Adult Names: Amanor, Lagusan, Peiscil, Zelithise

Female Adult Names: Amoura, Calirsia, Lorerien, Neamelira, Soraimeda

Scylla Traits

Your scylla has lots of experience over the years and natural talent to back them up.

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1.

Darkvision

Accustomed to dark depths of the ocean, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light and darkness as if it were bright light. You can discern color in darkness.

Age

Although scylla reach physical maturity at about the same age as humans, the scylla understanding of adulthood goes beyond physical growth to encompass worldly experience. An scylla typically claims adulthood and an adult name around the age of 100 and can live to be over 1000 years old.

Size

Scylla range from 7-9 feet tall and have thicker builds than most. Their tentacles stretch up to 10ft away and if standing upright they can look like they're well over 10ft tall. Your size is Medium regardless of this.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet on land, but under the water you swim at 40ft.

Alignment

Scylla love freedom, solidarity, and self-expression, so they lean strongly toward the gentler aspects of chaos. They value and protect others’ freedom as well as their own, and they are more often good than not. However Scylla due like to care for themselves when possible; usually not to the detriment of others if it can be avoided. This allows them to range from Good to Neutral.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Aquan. Aquan is fluid, with subtle intonations and intricate grammar. Your language when speaking common sounds a bit gurgled.

Amphibious

You can breathe on land and in the water.

Powerful Tentacles

With your tentacles you can make unarmed melee attacks at 10ft. These attacks are for 1D4+1 bludgeoning damage. This damage increases to 1D6+1 at level 6, 2D4+1 at level 11, and 2D6+1 at level 17. 

Any successful hit with this attack gets a grapple with a DC 10 + str mod + proficiency athletics or acrobatics check to escape. While grappled targets are considered restrained.

Your tentacles after give you the ability to stay still or move on a inclines up to 85 degrees no matter how slippery without losing your grip or while climbing.

Your tentacles cannot be used for fighting with weapons as they are not nimble enough. However you can hold up to 20lbs with each of 4 of your tentacles (as you would still require at least four to keep your balance while standing.

Slimy Invertebrate

You can fit into and through areas 1 size category smaller than yourself with ease.

Your slimy skin also allows you to impose a disadvantage on those trying to grapple you, and you get advantage on escaping a grapple or restraint.