Homebrew Amber Gargoyle Species Details

Gargoyles first came into being during the archaic age due to the experimentations of magic - specifically dark magic. Powerful warlocks and wizards carved creatures from stone and imbued them with enchantments and curses to bring them to life. Since then, the number of gargoyles being carved has reduced drastically yet somehow they still appear to be growing in numbers by themselves. How is unknown. Over time, different styles and types of gargoyles have become popular which creates a wide diversity of the creatures today. Whilst seen as familiars or pets in the past, they have now taken to their own way of life. This usually involves finding a certain area or building and acting like a statue to fool passersby. They seem to find this extremely amusing and are now so taken to it that they extremely dislike being ordered or controlled like they once were.

In general, gargoyles are quite solitary and rarely communicate or travel with others. They sometimes form fearsome groups called “wings” for protection and sport. In certain conditions, a tribe of gargoyles might even ally with other creatures, but even the most stable alliances with a gargoyle tribe can collapse for the smallest of reasons—gargoyles are nothing if not grudge-bearing, overprotective, and vindictive. Gargoyles have been known to dwell in the heart of the largest of cities, crouching amid the decorations of stone cathedrals and buildings where they hide in plain sight by day and swoop down to feed on vagabonds, beggars, and other unfortunates at night.

The longer a tribe of gargoyles abides in a region of ruins or buildings, the more its members come to resemble that region’s architectural styles. The changes a gargoyle’s appearance undergoes are slow and subtle, but over the course of years, it can shift radically.

Amber Gargoyle Traits

Gargoyles are often large, usually grotesque statues carved out of stone, marble, or other solid earthen materials. Their specific details are down to the carver or creator of the creature with styles coming and going. Nowadays, demons, beasts, imps and hags are the most commonplace with a handful in forms such as animals or people (usually deities or heroes). An extremely rare few look like angels or cherubs instead of grotesque creatures and these are more commonly accepted by other races but disrespected by their own kind. Almost all gargoyles have a pair of wings, large or small, and some form of horns. Depending on the creature's age they might also show signs of weathering such as small cracks or plants growing around their bodies.

Stone Skin

 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.

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.

False Appearance

While you remain motionless, you are indistinguishable from an inanimate statue of a gargoyle. You must maintain concentration during that time as if you were casting a spell.

Elemental Nature

A gargoyle doesn't require air, food, drink, or sleep. Instead of sleeping they meditate deeply, remaining semiconscious, for 4 hours a day. While meditating, you can dream after a fashion; such dreams are actually mental exercises that have become reflexive through years of practice. After resting in this way, you gain the same benefit that a human does from 8 hours of sleep. While gargoyles don't need to eat, many evil gargoyles have become addicted to eating the flesh of creatures they have killed and can become very mentally unstable without eating for a few days.

Ancient Body

Your toughened joints grant you resistance to your choice of piercing, slashing or bludgeoning damage from nonmagical attacks.