Gilldren (5e Race)

Gilldren

“	The ocean is a land of pure mystery and unstoppable power!	”
—Poseidon, bearded gilldren

Physical Description

A bearded gilldren, Poseidon from Hi-Rez studios MOBA game SMITE

Gilldren are a thinner and taller race than the typical person. They come in sexually dimorphic varieties. Males have greyish to bluish skin, and females sport orange, purple, or pink skin. They both grow very fine and thin hair, but only on their heads and faces. Male gilldren will often have beards as a result. Gilldren get their names from a pair of retractable gills on their necks allowing them to breathe underwater. They were called "children of the gills," then "gill children" and it was then shortened to gilldren.

Gilldren have a generally humanoid shape. They often have eyes in many hues of blue, like the waves and foams of the sea. Their hair will often be a pale color, like white or pale blonde. Though of a thinner body build, they are nonetheless muscular. Gilldren often spend a lot of their time underwater and so may have sand, seaweed, and even barnacles sometimes on their skin and hair.

History

Ages ago, when the world was as young as one year, the gilldren were born in the ocean along with a myriad of other creatures as the primordial soup boiled with new life. The gilldren began to perfect and create life beneath the waves. They made many underwater cities of grandeur, held epic battles against other clans for power and greatness, and lived much like humans did. The ocean is their only true home, and is the only thing they appreciate more than life itself, with many considering the ocean and life one and the same. Thus, few, if any gilldren, leave for the surface. They still reside in their grand cities and clans underwater to this day, living alongside other creatures of the deep. Gilldren historically have been known to save the lives of sailors shipwrecked. It is rumored a lock of gilldren hair will protect your voyage at sea.

Gilldren have survived for years in the shadows of man, but some choose to adventure and make the immense power of the oceans known. Unlike merpeople, gilldren are not hampered by a fishtail and so can freely traverse land. Their gills were retractable and so many young adventurous types ended up trying their fortunes above the waves. There is evidence gilldren have made successful lives on land and raised families with people they meet. There is a chance their offspring may be a gilldren.

Among land races, gilldren are very hard to distinguish from humans save their usually concealed gill flaps on their necks. This is because there is a popular myth that gilldren gills can be used to give others the ability to breathe underwater. People thus may often hunt gilldren for their gills, killing them in the process. Gilldren are warned of this and thus fewer choose to leave out of curiosity.

Society

Gilldren are a noble race that practice reason, debate, and logic. Gilldren are intelligent by nature, and live in houses of large coral or in sea forests which are their cities. They are a very colorful society, and promote fun and carefree living. They heavily invest themselves in the opposite sex, and are a naturally beautiful race. Gilldren and fey creatures are long standing friends, particularly the fey who are water dwellers.

Gilldren function steadily and avoid conflict in battle. However, they do not shy from it. In addition to an athenian style society with debates in round socratic theatres and pedagogic teachings, they have a spartan side, sporting fierce warriors who ride hippocampi and wield tridents.

Gilldren respect the duties and responsibilities of life in all social spheres, be it noble or peasant. Anyone can attend their open lectures and learn from their many schools. Gilldren despise corruption and those who shirk their duties to serve and be productive members of gilldren society.

Gilldren Names

Male:Percy, Glorith, Mardred, Falmar, Grilt, Trick, Tip, Crash.

Female:Glory, Mardregla, Tuskirta, Optileh, Prance, Core, Marcy.

Gilldren Traits

An intelligent, yet charismatic race with water as their greatest ally.
Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence increases by 2 and your Charisma or Constitution increases by 1
Age. Gilldren live to be nearly a thousand years old. After the age of 20, they are considered adults, and after the age of 800 they are considered to be a sea elder. Usually, elders do nothing but meditate.
Alignment. Gilldren can not be evil or chaotic, usually preferring lawful neutral
Size. Usually, males are bulky in muscle and only a bit below 7 feet tall. Females are usually petite in body size and range from 5 feet to 6 feet tall. Your size is medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet. You have a swimming speed of 30 feet.
Gills and Lungs. You can breathe water as well as air
Calm the Tide. You put yourself into a deep rest at mind, and clear your inhibitions as a bonus action. This grants you advantage on your next attack roll, saving throw, or ability check. You must complete a long rest before using this trait again.
Wit of the Deep. You come from a very intelligent bunch underwater. You have proficiency in the Persuasion and Insight skills.
Ocean Tools. You are proficient with spears, lances, tridents and nets.
Languages. You can speak, read and write Common, and Aquan.

Random Height and Weight

Table: Gilldren

Base Height	Height Modifier	Base Weight	Weight Modifier
6′ 0″	+2D8	100 lb.	× (2D20) lb.

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