Homebrew Merfolk (OPD20) Species Details

Merfolk are humanoid creatures with the upper body of a human and the lower body of a marine creature, typically a fish or an octopus. Unlike fishmen, the human side of merfolk does not necessarily bear any piscine features, though it is not unheard of for some merfolk to have more marine traits such as fins or webbed fingers. Related to the fishmen, merfolk make their home beneath the Red Line on fishman island. The two races exist in harmony, sharing a similar difficult history with the surface world and the races that inhabit it. But whereas fishmen are feared and infamous for being savages, merfolk have a much more favorable reputation among humans as beings of extreme beauty. Sadly, this reputation only serves to make them more desirable as slaves on the underworld markets, leading to many cases of abductions at the hands of pirates. Despite these unfortunate circumstances, merfolk have remained firmly open-minded towards all other races, including humans. Kind-hearted and gregarious to a fault, merfolk have a reputation for saving drowning sailors from the depths only to disappear moments afterwards.

- Deep Sea Monarchs

While not as physically imposing or martially bent as fishmen, merfolk have a keen eye for politics and diplomacy, being the current rulers of Fishman Island under King Neptune. While the common fishman has the advantage in a one on one fight, the merfolk's ability to organize and manage a standing army makes them the obvious figureheads in politics with the surface world. Merfolk do not possess the same sense of superiority found in some fishmen however, and the two races co-inhabit Fishman Island in perfect harmony with extremely few instances of political unrest or infighting. Merfolk are very hospitable and welcoming to travelers that reach Fishman Island, which is a common occurrence as it's the only way to travel from Paradise to the New World. As long as visitors come in peace and with no ill intent, the merfolk will graciously host any traveler during their stay whether they are pirates or marine soldiers. While peaceful, merfolk are not naive, however. If provoked, merfolk will respond in kind if their hands are forced, many of their soldiers and warriors having mastered a unique form of Fishman Karate unique to their kind. Being the fastest swimmers of all intelligent races, coupled with their organized military, make merfolk a force to be reckoned with even when battle is at hand.

- Gregarious Helpers

Merfolk delight in song, music and all forms of community based entertainment. Theirs’s a tight-knit community that lacks social stigma or class differences, each individual treated as a cherished part of the community as long as they are honest and kind-hearted in turn. Merfolk and fishmen typically consider themselves kin of each other and rarely make a difference between the two. Interbreeding between the two races has an equal chance of producing either a merfolk or fishman child, and most carry genes from both species with them resulting in a sense of unity and equality between the two races. Merfolk may still have some reservations about humans, but these prejudices typically stem from fear or ignorance, which can usually be remedied through nothing but a few minutes of pleasant conversation. Most merfolk would much rather make a new friend rather than an enemy, and typically treat strangers as potential friends or allies with more open mindedness than most other species. Merfolk's friendly and approachable nature isn't limited only to other sapient beings. All mermaids can communicate and speak with fish, having a much easier time doing so than even fishmen. They can use this ability to call fish to their aid, which can be used for scouting or to gather information on the surrounding waters.

Merfolk (OPD20) Traits

As a merfolk, you have the following traits:

Ability Score Increase

Your Charisma score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Age

Merfolk reach adulthood in their late teens and live as long as humans

Age

Merfolk reach adulthood in their late teens and live as long as humans

Alignment

Merfolk are naturally amiable and kindhearted, gravitating towards good alignments. They have a strong focus on community and coexistence, making them tend towards law over chaos.

Bubble Floater

When near a body of water, you can create a bubble floater around your midsection as an action. While you have this floater, you have a flying (hover) speed of 20 feet. The floater lasts for 8 hours.

Call for Aid

As an action, you can summon a swarm of fish in an empty square within 10 feet of you. The swarm is friendly to you and your allies, and obeys your command for 1 hour. Roll initiative for the swarm separately when in combat. It obeys any verbal commands that you issue to it (no action required by you). If you don’t issue any commands to it, it defends itself from hostile creatures, but otherwise takes no actions. Once you use this trait, you cannot use it again until you finish a long rest.

Darkvision

Accustomed to the dark ocean floors where light is scarce, you have darkvision out to 60 feet and can see in dim light 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.

Friend of the Sea

You can speak with creatures with a natural swimming speed that are of huge size or smaller. Though simple-minded, sea creatures can understand the words you speak. Additionally, you have advantage on Wisdom (Animal Handling) ability checks made towards marine creatures.

Pure Soul

You have advantage on Intelligence, Wisdom and Charisma saving throws.