Homebrew Eftlin Species Details

They are so beautifully alien, just beyond human, elf, and lizard; but all too familiar. Eftlin are born of a union between half-elves and lizardfolk - exhibiting the strengths of both, but amplifying the Otherness inherent to each. Each Eftlin is an Alien to those already Outside.
- Glace Eft Alayl

Eftlin are from two far apart worlds, Half elves and Lizard folk, brought together by their otherness in the swamps of the wilds.

Through this shared kinship, Eftlin reflect the beauty and the alien of their forbearers through sleek scales of lizards, but the softened feature of the half-elves.

Just Beyond Uncanny
Eftlins are a mix between their Half-Elf and Lizardfolk brethren. On average, they are about as tall and heavy as Half-elves, though there are the occasional outliers which instead become as tall and heavy as Lizardfolk.

Many are mistaken for a Yuanti, as Eftlin exhibit a fine layer of translucent scales on top of their very human features. These scales are lighter than Lizardfolk, but are are no less resilient. Eftlin coloring ranges the gamut, from fair to very dark, even green, as their natural skin color is enhanced by their translucent scales. On the other hand, their natural hair coloring tends to skew dark. They also exhibit reptilian eyes, with vertical slit irises, that tend to be red or yellow, though blue or black is uncommon.

They also have strong, if slender tails, which are short at birth and gradually lengthen as Eftlin age. Eftlin tails, like Lizardfolk tails, are used for balance and swimming.

Wild and Wander
Eftlin tend to come from remote communities, where life is predicated upon learning to survive in the harshness of the wilds. This makes many of them pragmatic thinkers and hunters, though each has a seed of willful passion to explore beyond their wild domains.

This willful need to explore tests many of their pragmatic talents, and leads them to travel and adventure to far reaches past any semblance of their wild domains and families. Others end up traveling and adventuring for more pragmatic reason: forging alliances and trade routes to better their wild homes.

The Strange Others
Eftlin tend to favor interacting Half-Elves and Lizardfolk, as they have passing knowledge with their customs and cultures. Humans are completely bewildering to Eftlin, as Humans resemble their Half-elf cousins, but are consistently inconsistent with their variety of contradicting cultures and traditions. The myriad of other races are less bewildering, but more mysterious to the Eftlin, leading many to wander and explore other more "alien" cultures.

Eftlin Traits

Eftlin are from two far apart worlds, Half elves and Lizard folk. They exhibit both the beauty and alien qualities of both.

Ability Score Increase

Choose an ability score to increase by 2, then choose one other different ability score to increase by 1. (Recommended that you should increase Charisma or Wisdom by 2, then increase Constitution or Dexterity by 1.)

Age

Eftlin mature at a quick rate reach adulthood around the age of 13, but then age slowly as their Elf blood seems to take priority. They live much longer than humans and lizardfolk however, often exceeding 180 years.

Alignment

Eftlin share the chaotic bent of their elven heritage, but tend to be resolutely neutral. They are pragmatic but willful, seeing the world as competition of the fittest... though the definition of fittest if privy to each individual. 

Size

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

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet and have a swim speed of 30 feet.

Darkvision

Thanks to your elf and lizardfolk 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.

Graceful Claws

You have claws which are natural weapons, with which you are proficient, and with which you can make unarmed strikes. You deal 1d4 + Strength modifier slashing damage instead of bludgeoning damage. These claw natural weapons, and when used as unarmed strikes, have the finesse property.

Hold Breath

You can hold your breath for up to 15 minutes at a time.

Translucent Fey Scales

Eftlin manifest their lizardfolk heritage with a fine layer of translucent scales. Their scales are not as heavy as those of true Lizardfolk, and they lack the biting jaws.

When you aren’t wearing armor, your AC is 12 + your Dexterity modifier. You can use your natural armor to determine your AC if the armor you wear would leave you with a lower AC. A shield’s benefits apply as normal while you use your natural armor.

Whenever a creature hits you with a spell attack, as a reaction you may add your proficiency bonus to your AC for that attack, potentially causing the attack to miss you.

Versatile Survivalist

You gain proficiency in one skill of your choice. (Recommended Perception or Survival)

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Elvish, and Draconic.