Homebrew Selkie Species Details
Selkies or selkie folk meaning "seal folk" are mythological beings capable of therianthropy, changing from seal to human form by shedding their skin.
Physical Description
Selkies are seal-people; they resemble humans when not in their sealskin. Standardly, they have hair and eye colors that correspond with their seal form. For example, a selkie may have paler skin with white hair. Other Selkies may be darker in skin tone with brown hair. However, it is not uncommon for selkies to have look of vitiligo. Selkies commonly have some form of freckles, blemishes, or patches of color that match to their seal form. Most, if not all Selkies have dark black eyes, which again corresponds to their Seal form. Since Selkies do mate with humans there can be hints of the non-selkie parentage or ancestry in their physical appearance, like red or blonde hair or verities of eye colors. Male and female selkies alike are usually lean, as it is hard for this race to put on a lot of muscle mass. Selkies from extreme cold temperatures would, however, hold more weight as to keep themselves warm in the freezing climates.
Personality
Selkies are usually calm and playful creatures, unless they are in danger for their lives. However, during younger selkies are not opposed of exploring the world. Selkie men and women are free-spirited and open minded, but they value honor and “pod” or "herds" greatly. Selkies though playful are territorial. Female selkies being more territorial by nature will be more weary of any creature approaching their pod. Male Selkies tend to be more aggressive when it comes to betrayals and pod behavior. However, Selkies do not see a lot of difference between male and female, aside from physical. Thus, tasks in the pods are chosen by their natural behavior as "pups".
Territory
Selkies are mostly present on the shore of tropical islands and coastal regions. It is not unheard of for selkies to be seen in areas that are below freezing. Many of them can be found underwater as well. As they are almost always nomadic, they have very little tie to the land in the way that other species might. Most selkie go to land for adventure and battle when they are young if they decided that life fits them best. Selkies will also visit land in search of their coats or to find other selkies and their coats.
Society
Selkies are welcomed by most other water creatures, and maintain friendly relation with them. They have deep caution towards Cyclops, Goliath Pandas, Gnolls, Minotaurs, Tigerfolks and Wolffolks, as these are the natural predators of selkies in their seal form. They get along in the wild and most often wild-oriented races. They treat humans with caution as well, for the fact that humans often stole sealskins from unsuspecting selkies, making them unable to go back into the ocean.
Selkie pods are often run by a "Lord" or "Lady" as the land folk have referred to them. They tend to run similar to a constitutional monarchy. The leader though final decision must speak with other members of their pod before making a decision. If a decision is made from the leader without communication amongst the pod then they are stripped of their title and disgraced in the pod. Any official or political meeting with selkies and other creatures will have 3 or more selkies present during the meeting.
Selkies follow the saying of "it takes a village to raise a child" in more literal terms. While they do have parents, selkies are comfortable with their pods as a whole. Raising pups is fairly easy but what the pups nature falls into will decide what job best fits the pods needs. If a selkie seeks for adventure, battle, or to leave the pod they will lean more to shoreline pirates or sailors. However, some selkies are known to travel inland seeking adventure, meaning, and battles farther inland.
Selkie Names
Wild Selkies often give their child a short, simple name, if they give them a name at all. Selkies raised on the land usually have names that are given by outside creatures. Half-Selkies would standardly be given a name from their non-selkie parent. Generally, selkie names on and will relate to the water if given by non-selkies.
Selkie: Sey, Sho, Illi, Mae, Koo, Ula, Ty, Vuh, Lir, Kai, etc
Land: Storm, River, Marin, Ross, Weddell, Coraline, Harp, Leo, Baikal, Caspian, Grey, etc
Selkie Traits
As a Selkie, your character shares the following traits with all other Selkies: Binding, Seal Anatomy, Selde ShiftingAbility Score Increase
Your Charisma score increases by 2, and you Dexterity score increases by 1.
Age
Selkies physically mature by the age of 14. Selkies have an average lifespan of 80 years although a few exceptional individuals have lived as long as 100 years.
Alignment
Selkies remain disengaged from any particular civilization's stances. While being curious about the worlds, they remain neutral.
Size
Selkies range from under 5 to over 6 feet tall.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Selde Shifting
You have the ability to transform into a seal as a bonus action. You can stay in this form for a total of 1 + your proficiency modifier hours, all at once or in multiple shorter durations. Each one using a minimum of 1 minute from the duration. You may revert back to your normal form at will using your bonus action. You can regain 1 hour of use for every 4 hours in you normal state. While in Selde form, you use the same statistics as the seal monster. Except, you keep your Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma score.
If your Selde form drops to 0 hit points, you revert back to your normal form taking any additional damage. In this case, you are unable to transform again until you have taken a long rest.
Darkvision
You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in Darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in Darkness, only Shades of Gray.
Binding
A selkies cloak is what binds them to their abilities and selkie form. If stolen or, on highly rare occasions, given a coat they become bound to that person. Leaving the 360ft of the person who controls the coat will result in loss of magical abilities. Within 360ft, a selkie will keep their powers but will lose their ability to change into their selde form. Upon return of the coat, their magical abilities and shifting abilities are returned back to the player. If never returned, selkies will remain by the coat holder's side. Though they have free will, their coats are what they hold closest to them.
If a cloak is stolen from a selkie than their standard personality will become one of longing. Selkies will spend their time in captivity longing for the sea, their true home, and will often be seen gazing or thinking longingly at the ocean. With this understanding, Selkies tend to constantly wear their coats, regardless of situations.
Seal Anatomy.
Adapted to a cooler climate, you have disadvantage on Constitution saving throws in hot climates, and you require twice as much hydration than most races. However you gain advantage on Constitution saving throws to resist cold environment.
Languages
You can read write speak common, aquan, and one other language of your choice.
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