Homebrew Boatman Species Details

The boatmen, hulking, gaunt giants whose faces are permanently obscured by shadow, were created by the gods of another faraway land to aid those who are lost; in their state of servitude, they are impervious to harm, and simply take their passengers to different milestones; the living to death, the poor to wealth, and so on. They ask no questions, merely rowing, a simple task owed to their prodigious strength. These hulking, often silent behemoths sit at the edge of large ferry boats, only taking up conversation with their passengers should they be asked of their names.

It is when this question is asked that another can be presented: 'do you wish to follow me?'

Used to guiding souls, not being guided, this presents Boatmen with a sometimes fatal error in their creation; this question unlocks their free will.

It is from there that they can leave the boat, stepping ashore and losing their immortality in exchange for an actual, tangible soul.

Whether they choose to follow their whisperers, or those who first beckoned them ashore, or carve a new path for themselves, is up to their own choice.

. . .

 

Boatmen tower over most mortal humanoids, reaching up to 16 feet tall. Their skin ranges from pale, alabaster white, to cool gray, to deep, oceanic blues, to inky black. Their eyes are sensitive to light, and thus many shroud them in a heavy cloak, obscuring most of their faces. When they pull this cloth upward, however, their eyes, a pure white save for a piercing black diamond-shaped pupil, and their harsh, worn features, add to their mystery.

Boatmen have a few small magic talents at their disposal; their ability with direction is unparalleled, and they can manipulate small portions of water, originally used for guiding their ferry boats across the astral sea, the river of death, or wherever they were originally placed.

Boatman Traits

Boatmen bear great strength, a talent with magic, and a keen sense of direction which carries over from their past lives, but their naivete to the outside world and menacing size often sets them apart.

Ability Score Increase

Most boatmen manifest with great strength and some minor magical prowess, at the cost of a loss of speed due to their great size. 

Your Strength increases by 2, your Wisdom increases by 1, and your Dexterity decreases by 1. However, you can choose to tweak these scores as you see fit.

Size

Standing up to 16 feet tall and weighing over 400 pounds, Boatmen are massive, as they must be to helm their massively important craft. Your size is Large.

Speed

Your speed is 30 feet. Additionally, you have a swimming speed of 20 feet.

Massive Hands

Your size and strength allows you to wield 2-handed weapons with one hand. However, you still cannot use a shield, and you do not benefit from the two-weapon fighting style by holding one 2-handed weapon in each hand.

Special Eyes

Trained to dark, shadowy climes, your eyes boast great strengths in some areas, yet great weakness in others.

You gain 60 feet of darkvision. You cannot discern color with this vision, only shades of blue.

Additionally, you have disadvantage on Perception checks made with sight when in bright light.

Spellcasting

You have a minor mastery over water, having used it to guide your vessel through many types of seas. You gain the Shape Water cantrip at 1st level.

Languages

You speak Common, Celestial and Giant.