Homebrew Gastrosapiens Species Details

Physical Description

Gastrosapiens are large hulking bipedal snail people native to bogs and other humid areas. While known mostly for their durable shells, they also possess a soft body which is covered with a thick sap like mucus. While colors of their shells can range from swamp to swamp, the most common color of their flesh is a sickly semitransparent green with brown splotches.

History

Gastrosapiens are said to have originated from the snails that lived in what are now their swampy homes. These snails allegedly gained a higher intellect after a roaming band of mages abandoned a stock of potions near the water's edge. Soon after, these enlightened snails' bodies grew with their minds, and became the beings that are seen today. They are commonly and erroneously thought to have come from the Feywilds.

Society

Gastrosapiens were once thought by ancient peoples to be walking stomach sacs, hence their given name, which is literally "wise stomach." Today, they can be seen in large bogs and swamps in the far south in crude villages made from the rotten wood and damp earth that surrounds them. These villages are governed by a council of elders, who are fiercely respected by villagers. Occasionally, a few will leave their homes in search of supplies for their village, or to find adventure away from their humble start. Regardless of their motivation, a gastrosapien will venture tirelessly until they have accomplished their goal.

Gastrosapien Names

Gastrosapien names are usually soft and vowel filled, such as "Uugo". As gastrosapiens are hermaphrodites, like normal snails, they don't worry about male or female specific names.

Gastrosapiens Traits

Your snail character has a variety of inborn traits and ability due to their magical origins.

Soft Bodied

Your soft body is more malleable than other bodies and harder to infect with toxins and such. You have advantage in saving throws against being poisoned and diseases.

Hard Shelled

As an action, you may retreat into your shell. While in this state, you have a +4 bonus to your Armor Class, and you have advantage on Strength and Constitution saving throws, but every foot you move costs 4 additional feet, and you are prone. You can't take reactions, and the only action you can take is a bonus action to emerge from your shell.

Slick Mucus

Creatures attempting to grapple you have disadvantage to do so due to the thick coating of mucus. You may offer willing allies a coating of mucus to share this ability, however, they have disadvantage on Charisma checks while they are coated. This lasts for an hour, or until the ally bathes.

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 2.

Age

The average lifespan of a gastrosapien is comparable to that of a human.

Alignment

Most follow a neutral path and will act within reason of their current situation.

Size

A gastrosapien's height may range from around 5'4 to as tall as 6'2. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet. In addition, you may pass through swampy environments or areas of waist-high water with no difficulty.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Dwarvish. Dwarvish is full of hard consonants and guttural sounds, and those characteristics spill over into whatever other language a dwarf might speak.