Homebrew Malenti (Sahuagin) Species Details

Malenti

 

Deadly Changelings.

The Malenti are mutated Sahuagin that visually resemble Sea Elves. They have all the same common features as Sea Elves: almond eyes. Skin in shades of silvery white, green or blue, sometimes with patches and stripes in brown or white. Hair that is often a deep dark shade of blue or green. Webbed hands and feet. Gills and fins that let them swim gracefully and powerfully through the water. It is not impossible to tell a Malenti apart from a Sea Elf, though getting close enough to investigate the features that differentiate them: armoured skin, shark-like teeth, and retractable claws, might be hazardous to one’s life. The name “Malenti” comes from the Elven term for changeling.

 

Sea Devil Mutants.

Sahuagin are prone to mutation, and this can be easily seen in the varied number of forms that occur seemingly at random, producing everything from giant four-armed barons, to petite deep-divers with their lantern lures. Sahuagin normally cull any truly defective mutants when they hatch, and many a Malenti has been culled for the benefit of the tribe. It is thought that the Malenti mutation originated long ago, when a group of mages tried to create Sea Elf and Sahuagin hybrids. The reason for such an experiment is unknown, but the first Malenti were hatched only after the Sahuagin that had been experimented on were released back into the world. If another Sahuagin can bring themselves to mate with a Malenti, the resulting offspring are always Malenti.

 

Tribal Pariahs.

The Malenti that manage to avoid being culled are shunned by common Sahuagin, who consider them to be ugly and weak. These survivors are usually taken in and protected by tribal leaders and priestesses of Sekolah, who view them as valuable infiltrators and spies, not only for their appearance, but also for their ability to travel out of the water longer than a normal Sahuagin. A smart ruler carefully controls the number of Malenti in their tribe, as history has shown that when too many Malenti gather together, they will break off and form their own tribe. These “Noble” Malenti tribes often reject the brutal ways of the Sahuagin and the bloody teachings of Sekolah to find new ways of living.

Malenti (Sahuagin) Traits

As a Malenti, you have the following traits

Ability Score Increase

Increase one ability score by 2, and increase your Constitution score by 1.

Age

Most Sahuagin reach maturity around 15. They can live for around 500 years, but rarely do so.

Size

Malenti range from under 5 feet to over 6 feet and have slender builds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Superior Darkvision

You can see in dim light within 120 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern colour in darkness, only shades of grey.

Amphibious

You have a swim speed equal to your base speed, and can breathe air and water.

Teeth and Claws

Your teeth and claws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them you deal piercing (teeth) or slashing (claws) damage equal to 1d4+ your strength modifier.

Blood Frenzy

If you hit a living creature as part of an unarmed attack using your teeth, you have advantage on the next attack you make to hit that same creature.

Shark Telepathy

As an action, you can magically command one shark within 120 feet of you using limited telepathy. You are limited to using simple commands, and the shark will attempt to follow your commands to the best of its ability, as long as they are not directly harmful to it.

Natural Armour

When you aren’t wearing armour, your AC equals 12+your Dexterity modifier. A shield’s benefits apply as normal.

Languages

You can speak, read and write Common, Sahuagin, and Aquan.