Homebrew Man With a Fishbowl Instead of a Head Species Details

 You are a man-like being with a fishbowl instead of a head. Inside this bowl, there is a fish. You are more commonly known as a Fishbowl.

Slimy and Scaly

There are only a few documented cases of Fishbowls in existence, but most describe them as being, "...as a man, but with a glass bowl perched upon its neck." These glass bowls are typically round, filled with water, and populated with a single fish. These fish come in all shapes and sizes, though the most common seems to be a goldfish. In one case, there were two fish inside the bowl instead of just one, though these fish were extremely hostile towards each other and often chased each other around the bowl. In another, the bowl was filled with a black, sticky liquid a witness described as, "...being of a dreadful, sickly sweet scent." The witness was unable to determine if any fish were present inside the bowl. In yet another, the bowl itself was made of an opaque, whitish substance. The Fishbowl in question stumbled around aimlessly, as if heitwere blind.

The body of a Fishbowl, much like the fish, can come in any shape or size. Most were reported as resembling the body of a human -- with various heights, weights, and skin colors -- but in rarer cases the body was described as dwarf-like or elven in appearance. One Fishbowl was even described as having scales and spines, leading historians to believe the body was that of a Dragonborn. No documented Fishbowls have ever been described as having the body of any other races, but the possibility of an orcish or halfling Fishbowl (or something completely different) has not been dismissed. 

To Be or Not to Be

 It's a matter of debate on whether or not Fishbowls simply have a fishbowl instead of a head or if the fish is in control of the body. The generally agreed-upon conclusion is that the fish acts as the "brain" of the body and that the fish and the body aren't separate beings at all -- merely two cogs in the same machine -- but this has never been confirmed. Bizarrely, a Fishbowl was seen (by a hidden observer) removing its bowl and revealing a hole in the bottom where it connected to its neck. In order to remove the bowl, the Fishbowl bent over until it was almost completely upside down. It then began to seemingly unscrew the bowl from its neck -- causing no visible damage to itself or the bowl -- and removed it completely. It then began to sprinkle breadcrumbs into the water, which the fish ate. The body of the Fishbowl remained motionless as it did so, and when the fish had finished eating it replaced the bowl and continued as if nothing had happened. 

Origins?

Fishbowls are rare enough that only three (all with human bodies) have ever been consulted on the subject of their origins. When interviewed, the first seemed to be confused -- though it was hard to tell, considering that he had a fish for a head -- and replied, "What? That doesn't make any sense. My head is fine." It is unknown how he was able to speak without a visible (human) mouth or throat. The second and third reacted the same way, denying any knowledge of their nature as a Fishbowl. When introduced to each other, the first and second Fishbowls informed the interviewer that they saw regular human heads where the fishbowls should be. When asked to describe the features of the human heads, the Fishbowls were unable to do so. The same reaction occurred when the Fishbowls were given a mirror and asked to describe their reflections.

The interviewer became so confused that he completely forgot to ask the Fishbowls where they came from. Theories range from Fishbowls having been cursed, taken over by a parasitic entity in the form of a fish, or that they were all simply born that way. Results are inconclusive.

Fishbowl Names

Fishbowls typically have normal names of whichever race their body appears to be. Human bodies have human names, dwarven bodies have dwarven names, etc.

Man With a Fishbowl Instead of a Head Traits

Every Fishbowl shares these common traits.

Ability Score Increase

You have the normal ability score increases of your body's race.

Age

Fishbowls tend to live a few years less than their normal-headed counterparts, due to the chance of their bowl being shattered. They age at the same rate as whatever race their body appears to be.

Size

No matter the race your body appears as your size is medium. The size of the fish in your fishbowl is tiny.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet. If removed from the bowl, your fish can swim at a speed of 25 feet. 

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Infernal, and one extra language of your choice.

Remove Fishbowl

At any time, you may remove your fishbowl. Removing your fishbowl takes one action, and while the bowl is removed your body remains motionless. While the bowl is removed, your fish may enter any body of water and you can control it as if it's your character, but if left on land it will drown in exactly five turns.