Homebrew Croc-Folk Species Details

Only a fool looks at the Croc-Folk and sees nothing more than scaly humanoids. Their physical shape notwithstanding, Croc-Folk have more in common with crocodiles than they do with humans, dwarves, or elves. Croc-Folk possess an alien and inscrutable mindset, their desires and thoughts driven by a different set of basic principles than those of warm-blooded creatures. Their dismal swamp homes might lie hundreds of miles from the nearest human settlement, but the gap between their way of thinking and that of the smooth-skins is far greater.

Despite their alien outlook, some Croc-Folk make an effort to understand and, in their own manner, befriend people of other races. Such Croc-Folk make faithful and skilled allies.

History

Croc-Folk are a rare species related to lizardfolk they live in swamps that men have learned to avoid, usually for good reason. Little is known about their history because they don't care enough to pass it on. However, through an intensive study by scholars, it is now known that Croc-Folk used to be the rulers of the lizardfolk until their kingdom was overthrown. It seems as though a rebellion formed against them because of their ruthless nature.

Cold and Brutal

Most humanoids describe cold-blooded people as lacking in emotion and empathy. The same label serves as an apt depiction of Croc-Folk.

Lacking any internal emotional reactions, Croc-Folk behave in a distant manner. They don’t mourn fallen comrades or rage against their enemies. They simply observe and react as a situation warrants.

There are stories about Croc-Folk that relentlessly attack adventurers when they make their way through the swamps, there used to be more Croc-Folk tribes, but because of their brutish behavior they were in an constant battle with each other. But 1 day all the Croc-Folk tribes fused together and ruled over all that called the swamps home, they have reigned a long time, but It seems as though a rebellion formed against them because of their ruthless nature.

Utility and Survival

The Croc-Folk mindset might seem unnecessarily cruel, but it helps them survive in a hostile environment. The swamps they inhabit are filled with a staggering variety of threats. Croc-Folk focus on survival above all, without sentiment.

Croc-Folk assess everyone and everything in terms of utility. A sharp sword serves a useful and good purpose, while a dull sword is a dead weight without a whetstone

Hapless Soft Ones

At their core, Croc-Folk pity other humanoids. Born into the world lacking stout scales and sharp teeth, it’s a wonder they have managed to survive for so long.

Still, if other creatures prove useful to Croc-Folk, those creatures can trigger a protective response made all the stronger by their apparent weakness. The Croc-Folk assess such beings as hatchlings, young ones incapable of protecting themselves, but who might prove useful in the future if they receive care.

Croc-Folk Traits

Your Croc-Folk character has the following racial traits.

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength and Constitution score increases by 2.

Age

Croc-Folk reach maturity around age 50 and rarely live longer than 300 years old.

Alignment

Croc-Folk are neutral. They see the world as a place of predators and prey, where life and death are natural processes. They wish only to survive, and prefer to leave other creatures to their own devices.

Size

Croc-Folk are a lot bulkier and taller than humans, and their dull color scales make them harder to see when in water or standing still. Your size ranges from Medium to Large depending on age.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet, and you have a swimming speed of 40 feet.

Crushing Bite

Your fanged maw is a natural weapon, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with it, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d8 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Cunning Artisan

As part of a short rest, you can harvest bone and hide from a slain beast, construct, dragon, monstrosity, or plant creature of size Small or larger to create one of the following items: a shield, a club, a javelin, or 1d4 darts or blowgun needles. To use this trait, you need a blade, such as a dagger, or appropriate artisan’s tools, such as leatherworker’s tools.

Hold Breath

You can hold your breath for up to 25 minutes at a time.

Natural Hunter

You gain proficiency with Stealth and two of the following skills of your choice: Animal Handling, Nature, Perception and Survival.
In addition, your proficiency is doubled for any Stealth checks you make underwater. 

Natural Armor

You have tough, scaly skin. When you aren’t wearing armor, your AC is 15 + your Dexterity modifier. You can use your natural armor to determine your AC if the armor you wear would leave you with a lower AC. A shield’s benefits apply as normal while you use your natural armor.

Devouring Jaws

In battle, you can throw yourself into a vicious feeding frenzy. As a bonus action, you can make a special attack with your bite. If the attack hits, it deals its normal damage, and you gain temporary hit points (minimum of 2) equal to double your Constitution modifier, and you can’t use this trait again until you finish a short or long rest.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Draconic.