Astéri (5e Race)
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Astéri[edit]
"Some say they're demons from the depths of the Abyss, others say they are saviors brought from the sea to help and protect us. Personally, I just think they're creepy." - Old Man Phisher, the fishing old man
Physical Description[edit]
Astéri's are a race of large, sentient Starfish. In their earlier stages of life, they look similar to deep-sea starfish with the exception of one deep red eye at the center of their body. As time pass though, these aquatic creatures take a more general humanoid shape, with rough bumpy skin that comes in a variety of colors. They don't grow a face like other humanoids though and instead retain their large red eye. At first glance, Astéri don't appear to have certain appendages such as fingers, toes, or thumbs but when the need arises, the Astéri can grow nubs that can act as such. Astéri also do not have a mouth anywhere near their face but rather a large gaping hole filled with rows of sharp teeth near the square of their backs, much like their starfish cousins.
History[edit]
It is believed by most scholars that the Astéri began as starfish who were exposed to large amounts of magic from either rouge wizards or ancient merfolk which may be what gave them their intelligence. The actual birthing point of these sea-dwelling people dates back to a primordial time when the seas of the plane were still new and teeming with primal life. It is rumored that the Astéri grew alongside the Aboleths from long times past, and have witnessed countless civilizations rise and fall from their havens in the sea. Only now have these mysterious folk risen from the depths, and what this could mean for the land-dwellers now can only be speculated.
Society[edit]
Whatever their real origins were however, has been lost to the tides of time. All that is known for certain is what had been recorded in recent history. Astéri seem to form tribes across various shorelines and reefs and more often times establish small hovels around larger seaside settlements. Being so isolated for so long has driven the Astéri to openly welcome these newer, younger races such as menfolk and elfkin if for nothing else, their resiliency and different perspective on life. Astéri's live in tribes that can number anywhere from 15 to 40 members. Any larger, and they risk over-fishing or overstaying their welcome to the kingdoms they may be attached to. The Astéri are very family oriented, They tend to put the benefit of the tribe above their own needs, making them particularly sought out by large kingdoms or roving bands of adventurers. While they are an open and welcoming race, they consider their family sacred and should any outsider earn the break an Astéri's trust, than they will have made an enemy for life.
Astéri Names[edit]
Astéri come from the dawn of time on the The Material Plane and have developed a language too derivative even for the most accurate Primordial speaker. This means the actual names of the Astéri are mostly unknown but they seem to stem from aquatic creatures and certain elements such as colors, sounds, and feelings. While no one can even hope to pronounce their actual names, the Astéri are more than comfortable with the direct Primordial translation. Names don't seem to be gendered but then again, most scholars aren't even sure the Astéri have gender. A primary name is given at birth by the brood-mother of the tribe, a secondary name is often given or earned by an individual as either a term of endearment, a gift, or a badge of honor and sometimes, in rare occasion, as a sign of warning or exile.
Primary Names Cuttlefish, Lobster, Tang, Gill, Zebra, Stone, Puffer, Crab, Shell
Secondary Names Blue, Red, Soft, Violet, Heavy, Brown, Dark, Fast
Astéri Traits[edit]
The Astéri are a race of primordial starfish people often seen along coasts and shorelines.
Ability Score Increase. Your people have lived since time immemorial. This wisdom has been passed from generation to generation. Your Wisdom score increases by 2.
Age. Life in the sea is harsh and the constant ebb and flow of the ocean current has slowed the metabolism process. Astéri mature at 10 years and can go on to live up to 200.
Alignment. The Astéri are more often times than not, a good and law-abiding people but every race has its exiles, outcasts, and traitors.
Size. Astéri tend to be anywhere from 5 to 6 feet tall. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your life in the sea is normal for you, but a terrible cardio work regiment for most. Your base walking speed is 35 feet. Your swimming speed is 40ft.
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.
Amphibious. You can breathe air and water.
Moist Skin. Due to your ancestry with starfish, you have no internal structure, but instead rely on muscles to keep you standing, creatures have disadvantage against grapple checks made against you.
Suction-Cup Clutches. You grew up without the need of fingers, toes, thumbs or claws. because of this, you have advantage using grapple checks against Medium-sized or smaller creatures.
Budding. Anytime you would receive an ability score increase when leveling up, you may forgo the increase and instead, choose to create a small size humanoid Astéri to follow you. This astéri has an Armor Class of 10 and hit points equal to the amount you would have gained that level. It cannot partake in combat, however, it can perform any task a small humanoid can do with relative ease such as holding an object, doing a chore, or fetching something. If this Budding astéri is killed, you can recreate it over the course of an hour during a short or long rest.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Primordial.
"Budded" Astéri stats[edit]
|
Small monstrosity, any alignment Armor Class 10 (natural armor)
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 6
|
Random Height and Weight[edit]
| Base Height |
Height Modifier* |
Base Weight |
Weight Modifier** |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5′ 0'' | +2d6 | 120 lb. | × (1d4) lb. |
|
*Height = base height + height modifier | |||
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