Homebrew Crustacea Species Details
I do not know how long I was down there. Weeks maybe, or even years. What I do know is that when I was finally able to rouse myself, I was surrounded by truly alien lifeforms. Waist up, they were humanoid. From the waist down though, they were armored, with 4 legs on either side of their body and a pair of pincers settled just above their pelvis. They approached and at first I was worried I would have to defend myself while in such a damaged state, but instead they just snipped away the rope that held me to the wreckage and gathered up a few odds and ends that sank with me. Then they were off, leaving me to wonder just what had actually happened.
The Sea is a mysterious place. From the Tortles on their shores to the cities of the Tritons below the waves, very few have had the opportunity to see the deep sea marvels that are Crustacea settlements.
Life of a Crustacea
A Crustacea hatches in clutches of up to 15 eggs, being barely the size of a Beer stein. Life is difficult for these creatures, having to make the trek from the spawning grounds to the nearest settlement without being eaten up by passing by fish. As a result, from that clutch of 15, maybe a fifth will actually make it into adolescence.
Young Crustacea are taught by their community, learning early on that the key to surviving the dangers of the deep is a quick mind and quicker movements. They scavenge any nearby shipwrecks for useful supplies, including metal debris they can use to help fortify their shelters and other such scraps. On more than one occasion, Crustacea have fought over the chests of coins found in wrecks to melt down and use for defenses, caring not for its value on the surface.
When a Crustacea comes of age, it seeks out a mate and procreates. Crustacea lay their eggs in a communal spawning ground, hidden away enough that the young will be able to make it to hatching, but far enough away that when the young do hatch, they won't always end up at the same colony. Very rarely, Crustacea will find their way to the surface. If this does happen, they are more often than not picked off by sea birds or other predators. On the slim chance of survival, however, they have been known to live to be incredibly well known adventurers.
Beliefs
In so many words, Crustacea beliefs are that might makes right. Their entire way of being reflects this, from the moment they hatch to the scuffles they get into over resources. The leaders of their colonies, therefore, are often covered in scars or have lost limbs.
There is no official pantheon followed by Crustacea as a result of their upbringings, though a common sentiment among them is that every scar has a story, or at least a reason for being. As a result, most depictions of gods and goddesses that Crustacea have adopted the beliefs of are much more battle hardened.
Strangers in a Strange Land
Crustacea are unique among the intelligent races in that they see common social practices as complex rituals that should either be perfected or completely thrown out the window. While some races, like Lizardfolk, have issues with social cues or generally accepted practices, Crustacea are completely alienated by their lack of exposure. For example. rather than using the payout of a job to purchase goods or services, they may instead choose to adorn their shells with the copper coins.
Crustacea Names
Crustacea prefer simple, non-gender-specific names, often comparable to the sounds that might be heard on a battlefield. As such, they prefer not to use Surnames or Family names, wanting their offspring to instead forge their own identities.
Male and Female Names: Shink, Whack, Clang, Crash, Pow, Crunch, Gurk, Splt, Ahk, Oof, Yow
Crustacea Traits
Your Crustacea character gains traits that enable it to thrive on the bottom of the ocean, and maybe even on dry land as well.Ability Score Increase
Your Constitution score increases by 2, and your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Age
Young Crustacea hatch in egg clutches numbering between 10 to 15, and can scuttle around a few minutes after they hatch. They reach adulthood by the age of 20 and live to be 50, 100, 200, an unrecorded age, as most of them retreat into the sea upon reaching 75.
Alignment
Tortles tend to lead orderly, ritualistic lives. They develop customs and routines, becoming more set in their ways as they age. Most are lawful good. A few can be selfish and greedy, tending more toward evil, but it’s unusual for a tortle to shuck off order in favor of chaos.
Size
Crustacea adults stand 5 to 6 feet tall and average 450 pounds. Your size is Medium.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet. You also have a swim speed of 30 feet.
Unimpeded movement
You are unaffected by the rules of Underwater combat when making Melee weapon attacks.
Claws
You have powerful pinching pincers, capable of piercing your enemies for 1d4 + your STR modifier Piercing damage, instead of the normal bludgeoning damage for an unarmed strike.
Amphibious
You can breathe air and water.
Natural Armor
Due to your shell and the shape of your body, it can be difficult to find armor that fits you. Luckily, you are naturally adapted to this, with your Armor Class being equal to 13 + your Dexterity Modifier. If you are using a shield, you can apply the shield’s bonus as normal.
Scavenger by Nature
You gain proficiency in the Nature skill. Crustacea are well known for being able to turn one man's trash into their treasures.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Aquan and Common.
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