Homebrew Awakened Sea Horse Species Details

Like their smaller kin, giant sea horses are shy, colorful fish with upright bodies, long snouts, and curled tails. They are found in vast bodies of water such as oceans. The awakened sea horse is a giant sea horse that has gained intelligence through an awakening of power, a pact with a greater being, or through animation by a skilled spellcaster. These awakenings are rare, and the few awakened sea horses that exist often stay with their herd. After awakening, they are usually isolated from other intelligent life and teach themselves the ways of the world. In rare cases, awakened sea horses can gather and form a well-structured tribe. They seldom interact with other intelligent races because of their isolation and usually prefer to stay in the water, unless driven to explore the land.

Aquatic Workers

Highly skilled spellcasters sometimes bestow power upon many giant sea horses at once. Their swiftness and obedience renders them useful as underwater workers, and they are used for anything from excavating underwater areas for treasure to planning an attack on a harbor or fishing village. After a spellcaster's need is fulfilled, he or she usually liberates them, leaving them to wander the ocean or form a tribe.

Awakened Sea Horse Traits

Awakened sea horses have unusual intelligence and limited inate spellcasting.

Charge

Three times per short rest, you can move at least 20 feet straight toward a target in water, or 30 feet while flying, and attack with a physical attack. dealing an additional 2d6 bludgeoning damage.

The damage increases to 3d6 at 6th level, 4d6 at 11th level, and 5d6 at 16th level.

Innate Spellcasting Ability

You have the Mage Hand spell constantly active, which can lift up to 20 pounds. You have a flying speed of 30 feet.

You have the Shape Water and Message cantrips, and one other cantrip from the wizard spell list.

You have a flying speed of 30 feet.

Wisdom is your spellcasting ability.

Water Breathing

The awakened sea horse can breathe air and water.

Ability Score Increase

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

Aquatic Origin

For every hour that you are at least half submerged in water, you gain 1d4 + 1/2 your level hitpoints.

Languages

You cannot speak, but you can understand Common and Aquan.

Age

Giant sea horses mature at age 3, and usually live upwards of 30 years.

Alignment

Because of their isolation from other intelligent life, awakened sea horses can tend towards any alignment. Those that form a tribe of other awakened sea horses or stay with their unintelligent kin are usually lawful, but wandering individuals can be chaotic.