Homebrew Gillfolk Species Details

 

Children of the Aboleth

The Gillfolk are the decedents of early Tritons, who used to live within the deepest, darkest part of the ocean floor. One day, their home was destroyed by a catastrophic event orchestrated by the Aboleths. They saved a selected few and turned them into creatures of the deep and ambassadors of the Aboleth on the surface above. 

With time, the Gillfolk grew in number, and as the influence of their Masters faded, they abandoned their former homes within the deep sea and began to seek out reclusive and secluded places close to land, where they could enjoy a simple lifestyle alone and in peace. Underwater Cavessystems within seaside cliffs and hard-to-navigate Coral Reefs, or the unruly currents around Islands became favored places of settlement. The reign of the Aboleths left them to become a paranoid and untrusting folk, not taking kindly to manipulation and always ready to look a gift horse in the mouth. Most Gillfolk will never go far from home, especially the deep waters of the ocean fill them with ancestral fear. 

Deep Sea Dwellers

Despite the change of local in recent generations, the Gillfolk used to be deep-sea dwellers. As such they tend towards dark to light blue or greenish-tinted greys, white, or even transparent skin colorations, giving them a much more haunting appearance than their Triton counterparts. All of them sport large ears, scale- or thornlike spots aswell as fins of various sizes and placements along the body in addition to their rather prominent, name-giving gills.

That being said, each clan will have evolved over the centuries to fit their surroundings. Reef-dwelling Qillfolk for example could have evolved to include spots of colors and fins that mimic the corals and algae around them to better camouflage.

Gillfolk Traits

Your Gillfolk character has the following racial traits.

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength, Constitution, and Charisma scores each increase by 1.

Age

Gillfolk reach maturity around age 15 and can live up to 200 years.

Size

Qillfolk are significantly taller than most humans, standing between seven and eight feet tall. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet, and you have a swimming speed of 30 feet.

Amphibious

You can breathe air and water.

Creed to the Waters

Surviving within tricky waters is in your nature. You have proficiency with Navigator’s Tools and survival.

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.

Emissary of the Sea

Aquatic beasts have an extraordinary affinity with your people. You can communicate simple ideas with beasts that can breathe water. They can understand the meaning of your words, though you have no special ability to understand them in return.

Guardians of the Depths

Adapted to even the most extreme ocean depths, you have resistance to cold damage. 

Water dependent

The body of a Gillfolk needs to me emerged in fresh- or saltwater. If more than a day goes by, without being completely underwater, they risk organ failure, painful dryness, and cracking on the skin. Death sets in after 4D6 hours. 

Legacy of the Aboleth

Your old masters never truly left you, whether you like it or not, they remain within your blood. You have advantage on saving throws against the charmed condition unless confronted with an Aboleth, where you roll with disadvantage. You can also pick one cantrip from the Sorcerer spell list. Charisma is your spellcasting ability.

Languages

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