Homebrew Sharkfolk Species Details

Born of the sea and a distant kin of the Merfolk, the Sharkfolk live in a world where they feel a part of both the land and sea, but never connected to either. Born as the spawn of some ancient sea god, or the children of Merfolk and sharks, none can remember, however all know the imposing visage of the Sharkfolk all too well. Some Sharkfolk are guardians of the sea and it’s treasures, some seek to claim the lives of others and live a pirates, others find their fortune as merchants, selling the bounty of the sea to the Common folk above, however, most Sharkfolk find themselves wandering both the land and the sea, searching for their next fight. 

 

Ferocious Shark Kin:

Sharkfolk look every part the shark. Most sport the head of their prospective shark brethren, with the majority looking like Tiger Sharks or Great White Sharks, other kinds exist in the seas or on the lands near coasts, however the majority of sharkfolk take after either the tiger shark or great white. Any individual may have skin ranging from orange to blue, or any colour in between, with the blue skinned Sharkfolk being the most common among themselves. The Sharkfolk are strong creatures, as such they are usually very well built, despite their average size being around 5’10” and weighing at anywhere near 200 pounds. As the Sharkfolk are both aquatic and land dwelling creatures, they have both lungs and gills. Sharkfolk are excellent swimmers, mostly due to the fact that they harbour fins along their calves, back and elbows. They can easily tear and rip into flesh with their teeth, due to them having three rows of sharp teeth. Their bodies are more resilient than most other races, as they lack bones and instead have cartilage in place.

 

Sharkfolk Names:

The Sharkfolk name their children after their own kind or give them human names. Most names are short and strong sounding, with males usually named usually named after weapons or objects, females are usually named after weapons as well, but also more athletic and natural things such as the sea. Most Sharkfolk don’t take on last names or clan names as they prefer to have one, strong sounding name. Examples of names include:

 

Male Names: Any human name, Hammer, Sword, Gnash, Thrash, Rend, Jaws, Hammer, Gills, Tooth

 

Female Names: Any human name, Glaive, Fin, Wave, Pike, White, Blue, Tiger, Halberd, Tail, Dagger, Surf

Sharkfolk Traits

Sharkfolk Traits: Your Sharkish Merfolk heritage gives you several traits you share with other Sharkfolk.

Darkvison

Darkvision: Due to living in the sea for most of your life, you have developed a natural talent for seeing in the dark. You can see in dim light as if it were bright light within 60ft of you, and can see in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern colour in darkness, only shades of grey

Bloodlust

Bloodlust: Your predatory nature and lust for blood causes your attacks to be more ferocious. In combat you deal an d6 of damage on the first attack you make. This excludes ranged combat.

Merfolk weapons training

Merfolk Weapon Training: Due to rigorous combat as a Sharkfolk, you have training in the following weapons: spears, tridents, nets.

 

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength score increases by 2, Constitution increases by 1.

Age

Age: Due to being cousins to the Merfolk, the Sharkfolk have slightly longer lifespans than Humans. They mature around the same age as Humans, but they can live up to 110 years.

Alignment

Alignment: Sharkfolk tend towards the more Chaotic things in life, their love of a good fight and death in battle ensures this. There are Lawful Sharkfolk in the world, but even they can stray to the Chaotic at times due to their races inherent bloodthirst.

Size

Size: Sharkfolk stand at around the same height as humans, but weigh slightly more than humans do. A Sharkfolk’s average height is around 5’10” and their average weight is 200 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Speed: Your base walking speed is 30ft, while in the water you have a movement speed of 30ft and have advantage on any attacks using your jaws while underwater.

Jaws of Steel

Jaws of Steel: When attacking barehanded, you can forgo the use of your hands, and instead use your powerful jaws to rend flesh and crush bone. When attacking in this way, you deal 1d6 + strength piercing damage.