Homebrew Lutrinae (Otterfolk) Species Details
"Don't ever mistake a warm heart and soft smile for a soft spirit; there's not a finer crewman, nor a fiercer ally than a Lutrinae. Had I the choice, I would place one at each post aboard my vessels, and watch the brigands and pirates upon our Kaenian waters dissipate into nothing as our ships ran down and obliterated each and every one of them. It is a wonder that the general goodness in the Otterfolk is steadfast as it is, and lucky for us as well. I shudder to think if one was ever able to truly cause offense to one of their crews. The very last thing they would hear is the echoing of Otterfolk shanties and songs from crow's nest to foredeck, a cheerful sound to their allies but a dooming bane to their enemies, as the offenders slowly sank to the depths."
Curious, Kind-Hearted, Sea-Faring Folk
Lutrinae are a newly emergent race to the lands of Izesh, only arriving in the past 100-200 years. Not much is known about the Otterfolks' true origins, as Lutrinean culture is heavily secretive to all but their staunchest allies. The barest details that have been gleaned hint that somewhere across the Kaenian Ocean, a terrible storm or something worse drove the Otterfolk from their ancestral island homes and westward to the Timeless Territories seeking safer shores. Not that an Otterfolk would ever take offense to anyone who asks for more, they tend to be but any other questions would likely be met with a wide smile across a fur-covered face and a quick quip or a call for another round of drink, either one of another race's which they love to sample, or a concoction of their own, a favorite of mariners across the land and sea. In the time that they have made their home in the Delucean Empire, they have ingrained themselves across most of the eastern half of the continent, in the rivers and streams of the Moondrop Peaks foothills and the shores off the coast of the Mizzleglen. They have even become a large presence in the culture of Knightstone, making a reputation for their keen sea-faring senses and nautical expertise. Many Lutrinae command ships that call the ports at Knightstone home, transporting people and cargo far and wide, and their fishing vessels keep the inns and taverns fully stocked with all manner of tasty sea creatures.
Lutrinae culture is centered around clan and family. An otterfolk family is made up of 3-5 pups on average who learn to swim mere days after being born.
*Visual distinction*
The diminutive halflings survive in a world full of larger creatures by avoiding notice or, barring that, avoiding offense. Standing about 3 feet tall, they appear relatively harmless and so have managed to survive for centuries in the shadow of empires and on the edges of wars and political strife. They are inclined to be stout, weighing between 40 and 45 pounds.
Halflings’ skin ranges from tan to pale with a ruddy cast, and their hair is usually brown or sandy brown and wavy. They have brown or hazel eyes. Halfling men often sport long sideburns, but beards are rare among them and mustaches even more so. They like to wear simple, comfortable, and practical clothes, favoring bright colors.
Halfling practicality extends beyond their clothing. They’re concerned with basic needs and simple pleasures and have little use for ostentation. Even the wealthiest of halflings keep their treasures locked in a cellar rather than on display for all to see. They have a knack for finding the most straightforward solution to a problem, and have little patience for dithering.
*Personalities*
Halflings are an affable and cheerful people. They cherish the bonds of family and friendship as well as the comforts of hearth and home, harboring few dreams of gold or glory. Even adventurers among them usually venture into the world for reasons of community, friendship, wanderlust, or curiosity. They love discovering new things, even simple things, such as an exotic food or an unfamiliar style of clothing.
Halflings are easily moved to pity and hate to see any living thing suffer. They are generous, happily sharing what they have even in lean times.
*Relation to other races*
Halflings are adept at fitting into a community of humans, dwarves, or elves, making themselves valuable and welcome. The combination of their inherent stealth and their unassuming nature helps halflings to avoid unwanted attention.
Halflings work readily with others, and they are loyal to their friends, whether halfling or otherwise. They can display remarkable ferocity when their friends, families, or communities are threatened.
*Home*
Most halflings live in small, peaceful communities with large farms and well-kept groves. They rarely build kingdoms of their own or even hold much land beyond their quiet shires. They typically don’t recognize any sort of halfling nobility or royalty, instead looking to family elders to guide them. Families preserve their traditional ways despite the rise and fall of empires.
Many halflings live among other races, where the halflings’ hard work and loyal outlook offer them abundant rewards and creature comforts. Some halfling communities travel as a way of life, driving wagons or guiding boats from place to place and maintaining no permanent home.
Eyes to the Horizon
Lutrinean nature is a forward moving river. Their culture as a whole has had to adapt to the sea, with her unpredictability, ferocity, and beauty, and now Otterfolk have seamlessly settled into a land far from home, taking on that which is useful from it but keeping a culture that is entirely their own at the same time. From an early age Otterfolk pups are ingrained with the values of connecting to their homes, knowing they have the security of family and clan to come back to, but setting off to find a life they desire in the wide, unknown world. Seldom looking behind and always looking toward the horizon, to new waters and the discovery of undiscovered lands and experiences. The life of an adventurer is second nature to the Lutrinean.
Lutrinean Names
Otterfolk are prone to simple names of the sea or the streams, natural or nautical names that look outward to find a connection to what they value within. Many Lutrinean sailors are also named after aspects of the ships they love.
Male Names: Bark, Oak, Rock, Root, Thistle, Spruce, Hawthorne, Oars, Mooring, Tack, Knot, Jib, Stern, Keel, Boom, Aft, Kelson, Galley, Skeg
Female Names: Brook, Azure, Ivy, Moss, Petal, Pine, Jade, Jasmine, Poppy, Lily, Kelp, Coral, Star, Aurora, Knot, Aft
Family Names: Clawson, Waverider, Oceanlight, Breezewin, Strongsail, Stormheart, Fisher, Proudtail, Longripper, Stonebrook, Embercreek
Lutrinae (Otterfolk) Traits
Your Lutrinean character has a number of traits in common with all other Otterfolk.Ability Score Increase
Your Charisma score increases by 2, and either your Dexterity or your Intelligence score also increases by 1.
Age
A Lutrinean transitions from pup to adult around the age of 20 and many live well into his or her second century.
Alignment
Otterfolk tend to be good-natured, valuing their family and clans but vary some based on their adventurousness. Lawful alignments are common in Lutrinae who frequent sailing vessels, as the ordered duties and structure allow their ships to sail across uncertain waters and return home again safely. Some Lutrinae tend toward neutrality on the rivers and seas, following their whims and personal moral compasses more than any particular code.
Size
Otterfolk stand between 4-½ and 6 feet tall and weigh anywhere from 125 to 200 pounds on average. They also have strong tails that extend another 3-4 feet behind them, giving them excellent stability. Your size is Medium.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet. You also have a swimming speed of 30 feet as well.
Darkvision
Accustomed to a life of hunting prey underwater, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions, especially in aquatic environments. 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. Underwater your Darkvision extends to 120 feet. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Kind Face
You have proficiency in the Performance and Persuasion skills.
Bite
Your powerful jaw and sharp teeth are a natural weapon you may use to make unarmed strikes. Attacking in this way deals piercing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier instead of the normal bludgeoning damage from an Unarmed Strike. You are proficient with this attack and may add your proficiency bonus to the attack roll.
Hold Breath
Along with being a strong swimmer, you can hold your breath for up to 15 minutes.
Strong Tail
You have advantage on saving throws against being knocked prone.
Dense Fur
The thick pelt of a Lutrinae shields them from frigid waters and environments. You are resistant to cold damage. You also automatically succeed on checks to resist adverse effects of extreme cold terrestrial or frigid water environments.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Common, Lutrinean, and one extra language of your choice. Lutrinean is a simple language of chirps and barks to usually signal simple emotions (contentment, excitement, danger, agreement, etc.), but some intricacies exist, and many of them employ its natural musicality to infuse daily Lutrinean life with melody and song, especially when groups of Otterfolk harmonize. They are also quick learners, and pick up other languages with relative ease to converse with their new national neighbors or cohorts aboard sailing vessels.