Homebrew Snailfolk Species Details

Physical Description

Snailfolks are large hulking bipedal snail people native to bogs and other humid areas. While known mostly for their durable shells, they also possess a soft body which is covered with a thick sap like mucus. While colors of their shells can range from swamp to swamp, the most common color of their flesh is a sickly semitransparent green with brown splotches.

History

Snailfolks are said to have originated from the snails that lived in what are now their swampy homes. These snails allegedly gained a higher intellect after a roaming band of mages abandoned a stock of potions near the water's edge. Soon after, these enlightened snails' bodies grew with their minds, and became the beings that are seen today. They are commonly and erroneously thought to have come from the Feywilds.

Society

Snailfolks were once thought by ancient peoples to be walking stomach sacs, hence their given name, which is literally "wise stomach." Today, they can be seen in large bogs and swamps in the far south in crude villages made from the rotten wood and damp earth that surrounds them. These villages are governed by a council of elders, who are fiercely respected by villagers. Occasionally, a few will leave their homes in search of supplies for their village, or to find adventure away from their humble start. Regardless of their motivation, a snailfolk will venture tirelessly until they have accomplished their goal.

Snailfolk Names

Snailfolk names are usually soft and vowel filled, such as "Uugo". As snailfolks are hermaphrodites, like normal snails, they don't worry about male or female specific names.

Snailfolk Traits

Your snailfolk character gains traits that enable it to cope with the perils of a savage world.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

The average lifespan of a snailfolk is comparable to that of a human.

Alignment

Most follow a neutral path and will act within reason of their current situation.

Size

Your size is small

Speed

 Your base walking and climbing speed is 25 feet. In addition, you may pass through swampy environments or areas of waist-high water with no difficulty.

Soft Bodied

Your soft body is more malleable than other bodies and harder to infect with toxins and such. You have advantage in saving throws against being poisoned and diseases.

Hold Breath

You can hold your breath for up to 1 hour at a time. Tortles aren’t natural swimmers, but they can remain underwater for some time before needing to come up for air.

Natural Armor

Due to your shell and the shape of your body, you are ill-suited to wearing armor. Your shell provides ample protection, however; it gives you a base AC of 17 (your Dexterity modifier doesn’t affect this number). You gain no benefit from wearing armor, but if you are using a shield, you can apply the shield’s bonus as normal.

Shell Defense

You can withdraw into your shell as an action. Until you emerge, you gain a +4 bonus to AC, and you have advantage on Strength and Constitution saving throws. While in your shell, you are prone, your speed is 0 and can’t increase, you have disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws, you can’t take reactions, and the only action you can take is a bonus action to emerge from your shell.

Slick Mucus

Creatures attempting to grapple you have disadvantage to do so due to the thick coating of mucus. You may offer willing allies a coating of mucus to share this ability, however, they have disadvantage on Charisma checks while they are coated. This lasts for an hour, or until the ally bathes.

Languages

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