Homebrew Balae Species Details

Deep in the open seas, the Balae, or Whalefolk, sequester in the shifting depths. They can be found in the Material Plane, though they typically are elusive, as few groups have been observed in history.

Whale's Grace

It is easy to assume a Balae is a whale calf from far off. To be fair, they do resemble whales in all features, other in the fact they can stand upright and have limbs with feet and hands. They are indeed humanoid, despite their large whale-like heads. They stand relatively tall for a species, averaging around seven feet in height. Their arms are much longer than their legs, with relatively big, four-clawed hands. Their legs are short and stubby but no less strong than their arms. Their tails are thick and powerful and use them to stand, similarly to a kangaroo.

Blubber covers every inch of their body, covered in delicate skin. It isn't uncommon to see a Balae covered with scars. Males and females are typically the same colors, that being grays, blacks, subdued blues and browns, and white being the rarest naturally-occurring color. They typically wear barnacles on their heads, arms, feet, and tails, and are a symbol of peace and high stature. As previously mentioned, their heads are that of a baleen whale, including callosities and baleen teeth. A Balae's appearance can vary, being based on any baleen/rorqual or a hybrid of some species.

Ocean Guardians

Balae are a nomadic folk, seldom settling, if they do at all. They roam the open ocean as they please. Despite their wandering tendencies, they always wander in the same migratory routes. They don't meander, oh no. They always have a destination in mind wherever they go. They travel using sea currents as their guides, and view them as guardian spirits leading them to their desired destination. This ensures their safety as their travel, and ensures the protection of the seas wherever they roam.

Despite being based on typically slow-moving creatures, the Balae are quite swift in the water, as they also use the currents to their advantage during battle, or during play. When walking, however, they are quite sluggish. They only go on terrestrial land if absolutely necessary. They use their legs for aquatic motion control, mostly, which is why they are so powerful despite them not being used for walking.

Cetacean Mannerisms

As previously mentioned, the Balae are greatly resemblant of a baleen whale. Though, their patterns may resemble any cetacean (whale, dolphin, or porpoise). They are also inherently whale-like in nature. They stick together in a pod. This pod is lead by a matriarch, or a grandmother of the pod. Everyone helps take care of each other, and each other's children/calves. The Balae are a protective people- always putting each other first. Some Balae have been observed taking in other aquatic species as their own.

The Balae have their own language: Deepsong. Deepsong sounds very similar to that of a whale song, accompanied with low tones, squeaks, and clicks. There is no written Deepsong; it is purely verbal. It takes quite a while to get a whole sentence in Deepsong out. For example, saying "I need to use the restroom" in Common takes around three seconds. It might take a Balae a minute to get that idea across in Deepsong. Most Balae struggle learning a "faster" language after learning Deepsong as their first language, but it isn't impossible.

The Balae have very little possessions, if any at all. Who needs stuff on the currents, anyway? The ocean always provides, anyway. If they do have possessions, they are extremely important to those who hold them. It might be an heirloom necklace or scarf, or a weapon they crafted themselves, or a treasured childhood item. There is little stigma surrounding those who possess items, because each Balae knows the item's importance to its owner. That being said, they find little value in anything that is not their own.

Similarly to aarakocra, confinement terrifies the Balae. To be trapped in an enclosed space is a Balae's worst nightmare, as they have typically been raised in the open ocean, or some sort of open oceanic area. They will do anything to ensure their own freedom, and perhaps the freedom of their family/friends, even if that means fighting for it.

Fearless Nomads

The Balae are peaceful folk; they don't go out of their way to find battle or seek honor through it. They find their peace in defense- either of their own or of others. They don't fear much in their paths, because they have the inherent reliability that they are always being protected- whether by their friends or by their ancestors. It isn't uncommon for Balae to seek out their own destiny outside of their migration routes. In fact, it is actually encouraged, because Balae pods seek to find other Balae pods to make alliances. Balae may be strong by themselves, but they're stronger together. 

As for the Balae adventurer, there could be a number of reasons one could leave their pod: to find other Balaeans, to find a greater purpose outside of tending to their pod, or simply to break away from the redundancy of migration and start a new life, embracing a new kind of freedom.

Balae Names

Balae names, when spoken in Common, are shortened versions of their full Deepsong name (if they have one), which could take at most five minutes to pronounce correctly. They are typically one to three syllables and are made up of either mostly vowels or consonants, or a strange mixture of the two.

A Balae of either gender may have one of these shortened names: Eeir, Klkr, Ooi, Hwaya, Rrii, Beeb, Clrkruu, or Ioa.

BALAE BACKGROUNDS

Backgrounds that are most appropriate for Balae include the outlander, the hermit, and the sailor.

 

Balae Traits

As a Balae, you have certain traits in common with your people. Being able to swim at high speed starting at 1st level is exceptionally effective in certain circumstances and exceedingly dangerous or inconvenient in others. As a result, playing a Balae requires special consideration by your DM.

Seaborn

Balae are able to cast shape water and fog cloud at first and second level inherently. They also have darkvision up to sixty feet and are resistant to cold damage.

Landlubber Disadvantage

As a Balae, your legs are not accustomed to walking on land. You have -1 and disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws and checks when on terrestrial ground.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Balae reach maturity by age 18. Compared to humans, Balae have a highly increased longevity. The typical lifespan of a Balae is 200-250 years.

Alignment

Most Balae are good and rarely choose sides when it comes to law and chaos. Pod leaders and warriors might be lawful, while explorers and adventurers might tend toward chaotic.

Size

Balae are about seven feet tall. They have bulky, sturdy bodies that weigh between 160 and 250 pounds. Your size is Large.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 20 feet.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, as well as speak/sing in Deepsong.