Homebrew Softshell Kappa Species Details

Soft-shelled Kappas have much in common with traditional Kappas. They are highly intelligent, even more so than their cousins. Because of their endless pursuit of knowledge, they tend toward Lawful alignments, but are still susceptible to many common Kappa vices, such as jealousy and distrust for others. Unlike most Kappas, they do not have the typical "dish" on their head, rather, at birth they are given a vial of sacred water, which they wear often around their neck or in a ouch at their waist. If this vial is broken, it is grounds for execution in soft-shelled Kappa societies, as it symbolizes death of the soul. 

In terms of appearance, soft-shelled Kappas are much more similar in appearance to an upright turtle than a humanoid. They tend to have long necks and elongated snouts. They stand generally between 4.5 and 5.5 feet tall, with the average being around 5 feet. They weigh between 250 and 300 pounds, due to the heavy carapace on their backs. Their shell, as the name would indicate, is softer than that of typical Kappas, though it does still provide more protection than the soft flesh of most humanoids.

Soft-shelled Kappa society is relatively formal. Soft-shelled Kappas spend the first 45 years of their life in school, learning the history of their people and the secrets of Kappa society, which no one outside Kappa society has ever heard. Kappa universities are supposed to be some of the most elite schools of knowledge in all of the 5 realms. However, since they do not allow any outside races in, this fact cannot be confirmed. Soft-shelled Kappas prefer to live in medium-sized towns or smaller.

Kappas often do not leave the towns they grew up in, but when they, do it is in the quest for knowledge. They show a great interest in particular in learning the cultures and customs of the societies of other races, though despite their learning they typically still see other races as inferior to themselves, and are greatly distrustful. Soft-shelled kappas mature around age 50 and tend to live between 400 and 500 years.

Softshell Kappa Traits

Soft-shelled Kappas gain racial traits from their turtle-like build and their Kappa bloodline.

Ability Score Increase

Due to your shell and turtle-like features, you gain +1 to your constitution score.

Soft-shelled Kappa value intelligence above all else, and from the years they spend studying, they gain +2 to intelligence.

Hold Breath

You are able to hold your breath (typically underwater) for up to 1 hour. After you do this, you cannot hold your breath again until you have spent 15 minutes breathing normally.

Retreat Into Shell

Once per day, you may use a bonus action on your turn to retreat into your shell. While in your shell, all damage taken from non-magical sources is halved.

Impish Bloodline

Once per day, you may use an action to summon 1 demon of challenge rating 1 or lower. The demon will persist up to 1 hour. This also requires concentration. 

Soul Water

You carry with you at all times a vial of soul water. If you are a caster, then this vial is your arcane focus. If this vial breaks or is spilled, you are forever banished from Kappa society and until it is replaced, you make all rolls with disadvantage.