Homebrew Sea Monster Species Details

Not-So Surface Dwellers

Due to the many tales of the bloodthirsty "Land Monsters" that roam the land above, most Sea Monsters have never been to the surface world. However, there are also tales of fascinating and mystical creatures on the land that many Sea Monsters, particularly adolescents, find deeply alluring.

Tales of fish that fly high in the night sky and heated lights that never go out. Tales of giants that tower above the buildings and people so small that you need crawl to see them. No matter what the story, there's plenty of young Sea Monsters who find themselves wishing they could see the surface, despite the deep seeded warning of their elders. However, Sea Monster parents are known to keep a key eye on their young to combat these exact desires. This means that, by the time most Sea Monsters reach an age at which they could visit the surface themselves, the fascination has largely worn off and they find themselves content under the sea.

However, there are small groups of Sea Monsters that have visited the surface out of curiosity. Typically these people are shunned by more traditional Sea Monsters, but fawned over by the young of many villages wishing to hear tales of their time above.

Scavengers

Sea Monsters' localized community typically means that they are an isolated people, and do not reach out to other comminutes for large scale trade. This means that many Sea Monsters use scavenging techniques to acquire food, tools, and trinkets for their families. Many families will send out their young to search for various simple supplies such as sea weed, stones, and lotus plants while adults will be sent as hunters and far travel gatherers.

Sea Monster Communities and Culture

Sea Monster communities function very similarly to old fashioned land villages. Their aquatic environment prevents any major technological advancements, as very few Sea Monster villages have access to metal working or alchemy supplies, and even fewer have the knowledge required to make use of such tools. Most tools used by Sea Monsters are constructed of seaweeds, drift wood, stone, and other easily accessible underwater crafting materials. For this reason, many jobs in these villages are centered around localized agriculture and the basic needs of the community. Typical jobs may include shepherding, crop collection, butchering, weaving, teaching, etc.).

While Sea Monsters do not function in a tribal community, they are a very traditional people. Elders are greatly respected in Sea Monster communities as it is seen as a trial of great strength and intellect to live to an old age despite the innate dangers of the world. Additionally, many tales of the surface's dangers are passed down from the elders, while tales of fascination are brought forward by the younger population.

Sea Monster Personality

Sea Monsters of all varieties tend to live in small but tight knit communities, each with their own particular ideals and traditions. And, while it is true that there are countless tales of the dangerous "Land Monsters" that live above, some Sea Monsters can't shake their own curiosity. Overall though, Sea Monsters tend to live small town lives with small town aspirations, content with their one track futures.

Sea Monster Quirks

d6	Quirk
1	You collect small trinkets that fall down from the surface.
2	You take pride in being a far-traveler for your village.
3	You often boast about your prize winning blenny fish.
4	You deeply believe in the stories of the elders and steer clear of the surface.
5	The surface world seems like a wondrous place, and you wish to experience all the world as to offer.
6	You often wonder if "Land Monsters" are as bad as the tales suggest.

Sea Monster Names

Most Sea Monsters have names native to their specific regions, for example: if a Sea Monster town is located off the coast of a dwarven town, they will likely have a name with dwarvish inspiration. This also means that a majority of Sea Monsters have naming conventions similar to those of Humans, as they occupy many costal regions. Sea Monster names however typically end with a vowel. Sea Monsters' surnames typically follow the same conventions, as they are not so much a tribal community as simply a modern water dwelling people.

Female Sea Monster Names: Marta, Helma, Arveene, Tessele, Daniella, Nalo, Atala

Male Sea Monster Names: Marco, Lorenzo, Umbero, Rimardo, Luca, Kero, Molona

Sea Monster Surnames: Agosto, Ramondo, Paguro, Pisaca

Sea Monster Traits

Your Sea Monster character has the following racial traits.

The Change

Sea Monsters have an innate ability to change their form when on land, allowing them to temporarily shed their scales and appear human. This disguise is reversed when their skin comes in contact with water. Otherwise, a Sea Monster's "human" form is indiscernible from any other average land dweller.

Monsters Above

Due to Sea Monsters almost innate fear of the land dwelling creatures above, they are very good at hiding in dark caves and small crevasses to evade the eyes of humans above. This grants you proficiency in the stealth skill.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Sea Monsters grow at the same rate as humans, reaching adulthood in their late teens and living less than a century.

Alignment

Sea Monsters tend toward lawful good alignments. As members of very traditional communities, they often find themselves pushed to help those around them and to respect the ways of the land. However, there are more Sea Monsters who veer more towards chaos, as fanciful tales of the surface have been known to drive them to make more rash and eccentric decisions, acting on a dream of a whim. 

Size

Sea Monsters are slightly taller than most humans, averaging about 6 feet tall. Your size is Medium.

To determine your Sea Monster's height start with a base of 5'6" + 2d6.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet, and you have a swimming speed of 40 feet.

Amphibious

You can breathe air and water.

Darkvision

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.

Sea Beast Speech

Aquatic beasts have an extraordinary affinity with your people. You can communicate simple ideas with beasts that can breathe water. They can understand the meaning of your words, though you have no special ability to understand them in return.

Cold Blooded

Due to your aquatic nature to, you can withstand even the most extreme ocean depths, you have resistance to cold damage.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language of your choice.