Homebrew Gargoyle Species Details

Many legends of statues that come to life owe their origin to Gargoyles, which receive life from the places they protect. Most gargoyles come to life by accident, receiving the magic of the location of the inhabit, while others are intentionally crafted by masons, artificers, or necromancers. Regardless, their personalities and alignments reflect the places they protect. Gargoyles protecting churches and soup kitchens are often Lawful or Neutral Good, and gargoyles protecting evils castles or strongholds are often Chaotic or Lawful evil. They can lay dormant for decades at a time, waiting to be called into action by trespassers. Everywhere people build cities and structures, organic gargoyles are often around. 

 

Everwatching Wardens

Gargoyles reflect their craftmanship and environment. They're vaguely humanoid, with faces and wings varying from draconic to bat-like in nature. Their skin is usually stone or brick, but rare metallic gargoyles have occasionally been crafted by more eccentric machinists.

Gargoyles prefer each other's company to any others, as they spend most of their lives in dormant meditation, and do not experience time how most living creatures do. Gargoyles feel no need to reproduce, as they can live for as long they maintain their own bodies and their home range needs protecting, and will eventually slip into permanent dormancy until the magic sustaining them fades away. Gargoyles rarely leave their home range, but the rare exceptions often find themselves as mercenaries, bodyguards', or in the service of lords.

Dutiful and Sturdy

Gargoyles rarely lack purpose, dedicating their entire being to the place they protect. Service is their nature, and gargoyles take deep pride in how long they're able to protect their homes. Because of this, they value physical strength and durability, and respect it in others. They struggle to think independently, are often easily manipulated by the owners of the places they protect. 

 

Gargoyle Names

Gargoyles have a deep appreciation for architecture, and will often names themselves after those who designed their home, or after street names. They'll often truncate these name into simpler syllables.

Gargoyle Traits

Gargoyles have the following racial traits.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Terran. Terran is a guttural language, made up of crunching gravel and raking stones.

False Appearance

While the gargoyle remains motionless, it is indistinguishable from an inanimate statue. In this state, gargoyles go dormant, and complete a long rest after 4 hours.

Stoneskin

Being made of stone, your skin is extremely resilient. While you are not wearing armor, your Armor Class equals 12 + your Dexterity modifier. You can't use this feature if you're wearing armor.

Ability Score Increase

Gargoyles are hardy, stone-wrought creatures, and have no need to eat, drink, or breathe. 

Age

Gargoyles mature quickly, if not immediately mature upon their creation, often reflecting the age and aura of the their home. They have to set lifespan, but can live as long as their maintain their bodies.

Alignment

Bound out of duty, gargoyles rarely manifest in chaotic environment, as the inconsistent magic struggles to sustain them.

Size

Gargoyles vary widely based on their construction, standing anywhere from just over 4 feet to well over 7 feet tall. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.