Homebrew Gargoyle Species Details
Mysterious Origins
Most lore details first sightings and encounters with gargoyles, but little is known about how they came to be. The two most popular schools of thought are such; they were mere statues brought to life or their carving was dictated by a higher power in order to shape these beings in the intended image. Neither side can account for reproduction but plenty have died in the pursuit of such coital knowledge. What is known is that gargoyles only appear in a fully grown state and show little sign of bodily change over time, apart from cracks and the occasional chalk drawing.
Vigilant Sentinels
A gargoyle considers it an honor to watch over a town or even a just a camp. Their keen eye and suspicious nature make them the ideal guard to ward off a raiding party. This desire to protect through observation will go as far as insisting they stand over a meal while the intended consumer rises from the table to get another pitcher of ale. This behavior doesn’t directly translate to loyalty as much as pride in a job well done.
Cognitive Vault
Gargoyles love to learn, be it from books or just the wisdom they encounter everyday. They soak up this knowledge and can retain information far longer than most creatures. Since their claws aren’t nearly nimble enough for the more delicate pursuits that come with intellect, (tinkering, scripture, mice bone sculpture) they will go great lengths to engage in stimulating conversation. This directly relates to the amount of gargoyles you’ll find perched on places of worship and high towers; often these buildings are full of bookworms just aching for a good dialogue.
The Return
On the extremely rare occasion a gargoyle is able to die of old age (tis dangerous out there), they will revert to lifeless stone in a place of their choosing. The moment comes slowly, beginning with joint stiffness in their twilight years before moving to slurred speech and constipation. By the time a gargoyle knows their journey has reached its conclusion, they will have chosen the spot years prior, ideally atop a building where their eyes can pierce the horizon and remain on watch for eons to come. Should a traveler ever see a gargoyle immobile and suffering the slow erosion of time, know that they lived a peaceful life full of opportunity to get themselves killed by an Illithid but passed them all by to pursue some mundane hobby that left a lesser impact on history. Those that die in battle still turn to stone, just in a much less elegant way.
Gargoyle Traits
As a gargoyle, you have certain traits in common with your kind. Your natural armour and stony resistance makes you a formidable force.Ability Score Increase
Your Constitution score increases by 2.
Choose one of the following:
Heavy Handed: Your Strength score increases by 1.
Watchful Warden: Your Wisdom score increases by 1.
Lifelong Listener: Your Intelligence score increases by 1.
Age
Gargoyles can live for as long as their stone bodies remain intact. Weathering or erosion can reduce your lifespan.
Alignment
Depending on the structure in which they are associated with, gargoyles can range from lawful good to chaotic evil
Size
Though you have great mass, weighing in excess of 300-600kg, your size is medium.
Speed
Your mass and construction hinders your speed. You have a base walking speed of 25 feet.
Flight
You have a flying speed of 20 feet.This speed is reduced to 10ft when you wear heavy armor.
Darkvision
Being a kin of the night, you are at home when the sun goes down, and the moon is dim. You can see in darkness as if it were bright light for 60ft.
Stoneskin
Your stone form grants you natural armor. Your base AC is 13 + your Constitution modifier.
False Appearance
While you remain motionless, you are indistinguishable from an inanimate statue. Enemies must succeed on a DC 15 Intelligence check to determine your true form.
Petrified Resilience
Your stone form grants you immunity to Poison damage and the Petrified condition.
Elemental Nature
A gargoyle doesn't require air, food, drink, or sleep. Instead of sleeping they meditate deeply, remaining semiconscious, for 4 hours a day. While meditating, you can dream after a fashion; such dreams are actually mental exercises that have become reflexive through years of practice. After resting in 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 one other language of your choice.