Homebrew Bullywugs Species Details

Life as a bullywug is nasty, brutish, and wet. These frog-headed amphibious humanoids must stay constantly moist, dwelling in rainy forests, marshes, and damp caves. Always hungry and thoroughly evil, bullywugs overwhelm opponents with superior numbers when they can, but they flee from serious threats to search for easier prey.

Bullywugs have green, gray, or mottled yellow skin that shifts through shades of gray, green, and brown, allowing them to blend in with their surroundings. They wear crude armor and wield simple weapons, and can deliver a powerful bite to foes that press too close.

Bullywugs consider themselves the right and proper rulers of the swamps. They follow an etiquette of sorts when dealing with outsiders and each other, subject to the whims and fancies of their leader — a self-styled lord of the muck. Bullywugs introduce themselves with grand-sounding titles, make great shows of bowing and debasing themselves before their superiors, and endlessly vie to win their superiors’ favor.

A bullywug has two ways to advance among its kind. It can either murder its rivals, though it must take pains to keep its criminal deeds secret, or it can find a treasure or magic item and present it as tribute or a token of obeisance to its liege. A bullywug that murders its rivals without cunning is likely to be executed, so it’s more common for bullywugs to stage raids against caravans and settlements, with the goal of securing precious baubles to impress their lords and win their good graces. Invariably, such fine goods are reduced to filthy tatters through abuse and neglect. Once a gift loses its sheen, a bullywug lord invariably demands that its subjects bring it more treasure as tribute.

Bullywugs love nothing more than lording over those who trespass on their territories. Their warriors attempt to capture intruders rather than simply slaying them.

Captives are dragged before the king or queen — a bullywug of unusually large size — and forced to beg for mercy. Bribes, treasure, and flattery can trick the bullywug ruler into letting its captives go, but not before it tries to impress its “guests” with the majesty of its treasure and its realm. Struck with a deep inferiority complex, bullywug lords fancy themselves as kings and queens, but desperately crave the fear and respect of outsiders.

Bullywugs Traits

Bullywugs share certain racial traits as a result of their swampy tribal lifestyle.

Languages

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

Survival Instinct

You gain proficiency in the Survival skill. Bullywugs have finely honed survival instincts.

Age

Young bullywugs hop for a few weeks after birth before learning to walk on two legs. They reach adulthood by the age of 10 and live an average of 50 years.

Size

Bullywugs average about 4 feet tall and weigh about 50 pounds. Your size is Small

Alignment

Bullywugs society is built on fidelity to a rigid, unforgiving code of conduct to the leader. As such, they tend toward lawful while in the tribe. Ones that have left for adventure or riches tend to be chaotic.

Ability Score Increase

Your Wisdom score increases by 2, and your Dexterity score increases by 1.

Amphibious

The bullywug can breathe air and water.

Swamp Camouflage

The bullywug has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide.

Standing Leap

The bullywug’s long jump is up to 20 feet and its high jump is up to 10 feet, with or without a running start.