Homebrew Gargoyle of Mirruk Species Details

The inanimate gargoyles that perch atop great buildings are inspired by creatures of elemental earth. Resembling grotesque, fiendish statues of tremendous variety, make, and origin, a gargoyle lurks among masonry and ruins, masquerading among the stones until it breaks from its suspended pose. Gargoyles have the patience and fortitude of stone, and will toil for years without complaint. They are mysterious, quiet to a fault, and skilled watchers. Unfortunately, the indulgence in violence that they are known for means few people are brave enough to seek the help of a gargoyle for any reason. Whether to tempt one into servitude, tame one for a hireling, or earn the loyalty of one as equal company, fewer still have tried, and even fewer succeeded.

Animate Stone

Studious, still, and quiet to talent, gargoyles are best known for blending in among the decorative gargoyles that mirror their images. They cling to rocky cliffs and mountains, or roost on ledges in underground caves, but they also haunt city rooftops, perching vulture-like among the high stone arches and buttresses of castles and cathedrals. They can hold themselves so still that they appear inanimate. Able to maintain this state for years, a gargoyle makes an ideal sentry.

While the first gargoyles were crafted as elementals, gargoyles of Mirruk were made humanoid.

Deadly Reputation

Gargoyles have a reputation for cruelty, which is not unearned. Ambush and trickery are after all a cruel artform. Statues carved into the likenesses of gargoyles appear in the architecture of countless cultures to frighten away trespassers. Although such sculptures are only decorative, real gargoyles can hide among them to ambush their prey. A gargoyle might alleviate the tedium of its watch by tending to the care of its weapons, counting its treasures, or measuring its skill against secondary prey.

Motivations

Despite gargoyle's reputations as deceivers and ambushers, gargoyles can often be relied on for fair social contracts and trade of culture. All gargoyles share a respect for the transaction of rewards and payment, particularly in receiving them. Many gargoyles will gladly take on the mantles of servants, guards, or assassins when payed (preferring precious metals and gems). They also enjoy hunting and testing their skills against worthy prey. An affluent person can easily convince one or more gargoyles to work for them if they provide adequate pay, or at least plentiful opportunities to face against their favored prey and enemies.

Despite the ease with which gargoyle labor can be bargained for, they are usually lazy creatures. They prefer work that requires little effort, such as guarding a path or structure, or work that allows them to stalk worthy targets. Some gargoyles are nomadic, pursuing prey or lucrative work eagerly—others refuse to abandon their haunts, no matter a famine, fire, or flood. Whether travelling or staying to a territory, the life of a gargoyle tribe is slow. To outsiders it proves challenging and difficult, but to them, it is the easiest thing in the world to wait for your reward, and the only way worth getting one.

Adventuring gargoyles are the rarest of all kinds, choosing to take the hardest paths for the greatest rewards imaginable. They are anything but lazy and no less terrifying to their enemies, but greater foes than any other statue or stone could ever be. They are more impatient than typical gargoyles, and more eager to align with other creatures.

Gargoyle Names

Gargoyles traditionally take on names that horrify and frighten other creatures, often referencing their own horrible visage. Some gargoyles change their name as often as they learn of a new terrifying or disturbing thing, while others take a single name thy learn from the culture they belong to.

When a gargoyle takes a tribe name, it is usually as simple as naming the tribe's location—for example: Castle Ravenloft, the Caves of Despair, or the Stonewood. Humanoid gargoyles (sometimes called galateans) were born with the blessing of deities; Galateans that pay homage to this origin may take tribe name Galatea.

Traditional Names: Awful Fright, Blood Tongue, Boil and Eat, Bone Spitter, Cries of Children, Demon's Laugh, Dog Teeth, End of Life, Face of Death, Fangle Face, Gruesome, Horror Head, Juicer, Killing Shadow, Lurks on Ledge, Mangle Mouth, Pain Claw, Rat Eater, Skin Grinder, Spider Head, Tooth Puller, Ugly, Very Ugly.

Gargoyle of Mirruk Traits

As a harengon, you have the following racial traits.

Ability Score Increases

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

Age

Gargoyles have lifespans similar to humans. After about a century, their bodies begin to crumble, breaking to dust from the cracks they gain instead of wrinkles.

Alignment

Gargoyles and greater gargoyles called grists were first made by mortal mages to serve dark and evil purpose. Gargoyles of Mirruk are not beholden to this history. They feel a strong calling more to protect than to kill, tending towards lawful alignments. Many choose to serve as guardians of holy sites, wardens of lost sanctuaries, or as keepers of knowledge.

Size

Most gargoyles average the heights of humans, though some are designed or born smaller. You are medium or small. You choose the size when you select this race.

Speed

Your walking speed is 30 feet.

False Appearance

While you remain motionless, a magical veil of elemental earth covers you; You and any items you are carrying are indistinguishable from an inanimate statue. The veil fails to cover you when you no longer resemble a gargoyle, either because of an illusion spell or transmutation spell effecting you.

Gargoyle Wings

Your heavy stone-like wings are capable of carrying you to safety. As a bonus action on your turn, you can grant yourself a flying speed equal to your walking speed until the end of your turn. You can use this bonus action a number of times equal to your Strength modifier (minimum of 1), and can not use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Stone Physique

When you take bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage that is nonmagical, you can use your reaction to gain resistance to the triggering bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage. Once you use this reaction, you can not use it again until you finish a long rest.

Elemental Nature

You are immune to the poisoned and petrified conditions.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Terran.