Homebrew Cecaelia Species Details

Day 76 on the Blackblood The sailors have grown restless. They claim to see shapes in the water, belonging to beautiful women. As far as I know, and what the charts claim, we aren’t in Triton or Merrow territory. It’s likely just the fog playing tricks on their mind, but part of me wonders if something truly is out there, trying to draw the sailors overboard. Day 77 on the Blackblood Valehorn has gone mad. He’s trying to leap into the fog and grab phantom shapes in the water. He’s been locked in the brig for well over an hour now, and his incoherent rambling has grown louder and louder. In fact, I think I’m starting to hear singing… Day 78 on the Blackblood She calls for me she calls for me she calls for me she calls for me she calls for me she calls -Last entries in the journal of Captain Jesidiah M. Gayle

 

The Cecaelia are a unique and mischievous race of ocean dwellers, living in the deepest trenches and darkest caverns. Their sly cunning and hypnotic movement make them cunning adversaries to face. Their true origins are unknown, but their tendency to make contracts implies that they may have been spawned by some otherworldly, pact-making entity. 

Hermits in the Depths

Cecaelia appear human from the waist up, often styling themselves to be fashionable and extravagant. However, below the waist lie eight suctioned tentacles used for locomotion both underwater and on land. Their upper bodies often have human skin tones, while their octopoid lower halves can be any color of the rainbow, which are only highlighted by their bioluminescence. 

The Cecaelia are an exceptionally rare species, living in trenches and caverns with other members of their small families of two to four. They tend to avoid society, and society marks them as outcasts in return.

Tricksters and Thieves

Cecaelia that don’t remain in the depths often find themselves snooping around coastal towns, looking for ways to sustain themselves. They do all they can to survive in the dry world, which often means resorting to bribery, trickery, and crime. In their minds, being able to survive and protecting their family is more important than any so-called ethics or greater good.

Because of this lack of ethics, Cecaelia generally fall towards neutral or evil alignments, with many becoming brokers, lawyers, thieves, and mercenaries.

Cecaelia Names

Cecaelia are given their name at birth, along with a familial name. In addition to their “true names,” they are often given titles regarding their occupation or accomplishments.

Male Names: Akillos, Barran, Delphon, Ferrostries, Ghalape, Hallis, Herrikke, Listor, Valcohn, Urosos

Female names: Agapas, Allista, Kalypsa, Lyramines, Mallistar, Nerieda, Orabas, Qinasta, Urbas, Ursula

Familial Names: Adariamos, Ballerophos, Cellickres, Dyonison, Tritanas, Valkaria, Urielas

Titles: The Alone, The Broken, The Conductor, The Darling, The Joyful, The Witch

Cecaelia Traits

Your time spent in the darkest abysses and trenches grant you a variety of benefits and traits.

Ability Score Increase

Your Charisma score increases by 2, and your Dexterity score increases by 1.

Age

Cecaelia mature at the same rate as humans, but their true age has never been determined. They can likely live for over 1,000 years.

Alignment

Due to their trickery nature and desire to survive above all else, Cecaelia tend towards neutral or evil alignments.

Size

Cecaelia often appear smaller than they actually are, in an attempt to appear similar to other humanoids. At their full height, however, they could reach up to 10 feet tall. Your size is medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet. In addition, you have a swimming speed of 30 feet

Amphibious

Due to your aquatic origins, your respiratory system has adapted to allow you to breathe on land or in water.

Bioluminescence

When in dark or dim light, you give off 15 feet of bright light. While your bioluminescence is active, you have advantage on all Charisma based skill checks.

Fathomless Legacy

You know the Shape Water cantrip. Once you reach 3rd level, you can cast Charm Person as a second level spell once per long rest. Once you reach 5th level, you can cast Suggestion once per long rest. You use your Charisma modifier to determine Save DCs.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write in Common and Primordial.