Homebrew GORGAN Species Details

Beautiful and Astonishing

The visage of a Gorgon is at the same time terrifying and wonderful to behold. Their features fine, beautiful, and chiseled as if carved from granite by the gentlest of artists; the writhing serpents falling from their crown in hissing, venomous locks. Their size and form vary wildly, some bearing the torso of a woman and base of a serpent, others walking on two legs. Some have alien, serpentine features while others appear nearly indiscernible from their original race. Their entire being is magical in nature and ancient transmutation magic seeps off of them like sweat.

While they are as varied and diverse as the races that make them up, there are a few features that all gorgons share; A head full of living serpents where hair ought to be, a forked tongue, and yellow, serpentine eyes are most prominent among them.

An Endless Perspective

Gorgons do not age after they are created, giving them a broad perspective on events that might trouble the shorter-lived races more deeply. They are more often amused than excited at the goings on of people and their small troubles. They tend to remain aloof and unfazed by petty happenstance and are unlikely to involve themselves in the affairs of mortals. When pursuing a goal, however, they are focused and relentless. They are slow to make friends, and quick to make enemies. Enemies rarely escape their grasp for long.

The Edges of Society

Most Gorgons dwell near, but outside of civilization. They do not associate with anyone if they don't have to, but they desire easy access to worldly pleasures. Their homes are made in caves, abandoned homes, sewers, and some who posses true magical capability hide in cities and towns in plain sight. 

Wherever they dwell, they frequently intentionally spread rumors about themselves luring in young, virile men who think much of themselves and turning them to stone or eating them. Rarely, these rumors are true, though almost never what they appear to be.

Exploration and Adventure

Gorgons are hard-pressed to leave the comfort of their homes to seek out adventure; though it is not unheard of, especially in newly created gorgons. They seek to destroy and undermine injustices perpetrated upon the innocent, especially those against women. 

A Gorgon is a hard friend to make, but if you should find yourself in the good graces of one, you will find yourself a stalwart companion that will rip apart those who would wish you ill. Though Gorgons are often painted as monsters, they're almost always good and positive individuals, though many become hard and cynical after a few lifetimes of watching mortals undermine and betray each other.

 

GORGAN Traits

Your half-elf character has some qualities in common with elves and some that are unique to half-elves.

Cursed

You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.

 

Serpentine Hair

Natural Melee Weapon Attack:  Hit: 1d6 poison damage.

 

Ability Score Increase

Your Charisma score increases by 2.

Age

Half-elves mature at the same rate humans do and reach adulthood around the age of 20. They live much longer than humans, however, often exceeding 180 years.

Alignment

Half-elves share the chaotic bent of their elven heritage. They value both personal freedom and creative expression, demonstrating neither love of leaders nor desire for followers. They chafe at rules, resent others’ demands, and sometimes prove unreliable, or at least unpredictable.

Size

Half-elves are about the same size as humans, ranging from 5 to 6 feet tall. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Thanks to your elf blood, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. 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.

A Head Full of Eyes

You have proficiency in the Perception skill.

 

Skill Versatility

You gain proficiency in two skills of your choice.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Elvish, and one extra language of your choice.

Petrifying Gaze

Petrifying Gaze. twice per long rest, as an action, when a creature that can see the Gorgon's eyes starts its turn within 30 feet of the Gorgon, the Gorgon can force it to make a DC 16 Constitution saving throw if the Gorgon isn't incapacitated and can see the creature. If the saving throw fails by 5 or more, the creature is instantly petrified for 2 rounds. Otherwise, a creature that fails the save begins to turn to stone and is restrained for 2 rounds. The restrained creature must repeat the saving throw at the end of its next turn, staying petrified or restrained for 2 turns on a failure or ending the effect on a success.