Homebrew Cephalanerian(Silent Mind) Species Details

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Born within the distant stars...

 

It is unknown what the Cephalanerians are exactly but since their integration into modern society many speculate them to be hybrid spawn of Humanoids and an unknown creature native to the Far Realms. The earliest stories of the Youngers’ designs seem to suggest that as a species they had inhabited the Material Plane all along and simply lived sheltered in the mangroves and deep swamps and further away from most Humanoid structures. 

 

A curious few parchments in their Elders’ libraries however do support the theory that the Cephalanerians came from an event that was referred to as “the crossing of the starless ocean” during a time period regarded as “an endless drift of steam and heat”. Scholars who set out to better understand them found the tales varying and many disagreeing with one another, though each inevitably came to a single conclusion: regardless of where they had come from, they belonged here.

 

Relationships with other aberrations and creatures of the Far Realm are strained, as observed by a roving trader and a number of Tritons during travels, and often the Cephalanerians attacked and fought these creatures viciously and without mercy. Kuo-toa particularly seemed to be their favorite prey, and it is rumored a bold few dared to test themselves against the Kuo-toa’s masters. When asked about it the Elders’ stories revealed little more than a curious event called and described as “a period of suffocation in bitter salt”.  

 

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An alien visage…

 

Typically speaking Cephalanerians have been observed with two distinctive “base” body types, Human and Elven, and this has led some to wonder about the biological connection to the other races they might have. However for their normal traits, they have specifically aberrant or inhuman distinctions that set them apart easily. Almost all Cephalanerians’ skin is shaded a form of pale purple, pink, blue, or green with a few distinctive patches of darker colorations matching their base skin tone on their arms, legs, back, and the tentacles on their heads acting as hair.

 

The palms of their hands and the bottoms of their feet are covered in a multitude of small suction cups which activate on command. As well as, nominally speaking, the majority have vibrantly colored and almost glowing eyes that span the entire spectrum of the rainbow and more. A certain few have black sclera rather than white, though this does not make them special or mark them as different, and many scholars believe it is simply a mutation of their genetic base. 

 

The Cephalanerians themselves seemed unconcerned with the questions about it and dismissed it as they would multi-colored body markings. Though Cephalanerians comprehend languages, their race is mute and cannot conventionally speak due to a lack of vocal chords. Instead they communicate through pheromones, body language, and written text.

 

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That ocean is not silent...

 

More often than not when one encounters a Cephalanerian they will introduce themselves as something called a “Silent-Mind” or “Whisper-Keeper”, though never both and when asked each seems to refuse to discuss the other. Through few talks and come interaction there has been a discovery that these two forms come from a break in the religion of their society. The “Silent-Mind” have turned away from their God and it’s worship, preferring to find their own deities in other pantheons; but the “Whisper-Keeper” group revere the Dreaming Abyss as their God above Gods.

 

Few differences elsewise exist between them but the fracture of religion caused a minor difference in the way the Cephalanerians think and act. “Silent-Mind” homes and villages tend to be tribal and are often led by a single bloodline Leader with a dedicated Council, but the “Whisper-Keeper” variety often follow a sole High Priest or Priestess with oracular ability… said often to be touched by the Dreaming Abyss at their birth. The latter has no Council and communes directly with their God, so they say.

 

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A song without melody, a voice without sound…

 

Due to the fact that Cephalanerians have no verbal language and rely on hand-signs and pheromones for communication, some often have trouble pronouncing their names and instead commonly give them simpler nicknames (i.e. “Wriggles” or “Squeaks”).

Cephalanerian Names: Zx’ehda, Sz’arit, Mn’ekha, Dh’ezsim, Kz’varu. Ey’lesu, Oq’rhel, Fg’ihild, Bn’yxys, and Rh’urql.

 

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Cephalanerian(Silent Mind) Traits

Cephalanarian “Silent-Mind” Traits Absent the service of the Dreaming Abyss, the Cephalanerian gains the following traits.

Ability Score Increase

 Your Constitution score increases by 2 and your Charisma score increases by 1.

Age

 Cephalanerians reach maturity at 18 and can live to be just under a thousand years old

Alignment

When separated from the Dreaming Abyss, the Cephalanerian people tend to be varied in mortality though many default to neutrality in whatever spectrum they exist in.

Size

Your size is Medium.

Semi-Aquatic

Your base walking speed is 30 feet, and your base Swim speed is 30 feet.

Amphibious

You can breathe normally in either air or water.

Superior Darkvision

You have superior vision in dim light and darkness. You can see in dim light within 120 feet of you as if it was bright light, and darkness as if it was dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Grasp of the Deep

You gain advantage on attempts to Grappling opponents or keep them grappled, and can access the Spider Climb spell without needing an ability check or slot.

Alluring Pheremone

As an action, you can produce pheromones that affect a single targeted creature within 10 feet of you that isn’t an undead, construct, or elemental. This targeted creature must make a Wisdom saving throw with a DC of 8 + the Cephalanerian’s Charisma + Proficiency Bonus or be Charmed for a single round. This ability can only be used once per Long Rest.

Psionic Resistance

You are resistant to psychic damage.

Language

Though you cannot speak conventionally you know Common and Deep Speech