Hawsfrine (5e Race)

Hawsfrine

A sea-dwelling fish-like humanoid native to the oceans of the Feywild

Physical Description

Hawsfrine appear similar to most humanoids with some more fish-like qualities. They have pristine white scales with some being either red or blue depending on the Hawsfine's gender. Red scale highlights are present amongst female Hawsfrine and blue scale highlights are present amongst male Hawsfrine. Hawsfrine will have fins running up the back of their torso, head and elbows, and will have webbed feet and hands so that they may better swim through the waters of the Feywild. The colors of these fins will either be red or blue depending on their gender. Protruding from their lower back, Hawsfrine have a large tail with fins on the end in which they use for steering. On their head Hawsfrine have large eyes and two stalks at the top of their head in order to better sense the water. Hawfrine females are slightly smaller than Hawsfrine males, are able to lay eggs and have slightly longer stalks on their head. They are also able to produce a mucus-milk like substance from their breast in order to feed their offspring. Males are slightly larger than females, have a broader chest and a protruding jaw.

History

The Hawfrine are believed to have been descendants of beings who traveled from the plane of water into the Feywild, where the preceded on the construction of a great underwater city for their people to live. But they unknowingly crossed into the domain of the wicked aquatic Archfey Nemethei who held dominion over the waters of the Feywild. Upon learning of their presence, she single handily slew every male Hawsfrine. She decided to leave the females along as she blamed male creatures for the multiverses issues and she wanted to see the remainder of the Hawsfrine race die out slowly due to no longer being able to reproduce. The females grieved for their husbands and the inevitable death of their people. In their grief, an unknown force took pity on them. Wisps of blue light surrounded and comforted the woman and from their entangled itself with their existence. Some believe that it may have been a now deceased deity, while others believe that it may have been the pure spirit of the Feywild. to two of the Hawsfrine, it blessed with child.

When the babies were born, it was a joyous occasion and the Hawsfrine celebrated, as there was one girl and one boy. The girl was named Delmare and the boy was named Tamesis. They were to be the saviors of the Hawsfrine people. But eventually, the Archfey Nemethei learned of their existence and once again set out to destroy the Hawsfrine. Upon her arrival to the Hawsfrine colony, she attacked Tamesis. But as he died in Delmare's arms, the strange wisps of blue light returned and enveloped both in its light. It combined Tamesis' spirit with hers and made her something greater. The light then drained Nemethei of her power before she managed to escape to the deep depths of the waters of the Feywild. As the females grieved over the death of their only male, Delmare comforted them and took charge. Her body began to change until she looked identical to Tamesis, but still with her original conscience. This allowed the Hawsfrine to once again have children, who were born with the same gifts as their races savior. But to stay safe from Nemethei's remaining forces and other wicked forces present in the Feywild's waters, they decided to remain in small tribes to avoid being detected by larger foes. Nowadays, many small tribes may be found through the Feywild's waters and some have even begun to migrate into the material plane.

Society

Hawsfrine live in small male-dominated tribes made up of one male and a plethora of females. They will take up residence in large coral reefs or in shallow underwater caves. Many Hawsfrine are known for their exceptional herbal medicines made from magical deep sea plants and their exquisite silks. When a Hawsfrine tribe becomes two large for one male to support, a peculiar change will occur. Over a short period of time, typically only a few days, one of the Hawsfrine females will convert to the male sex. The new male will then take some of the other females and go on to find a new home for his new tribe. If a tribe is not large enough to split and their are two mature males, they will compete for dominance over the tribe, performing acts of strength courage, and bravery in front of the females. After it is all over, the less dominant male will convert to the female gender. To many, this change seems unnatural, but to the Hawsfrine it is totally natural. They see gender in a much more different way then most other races see gender. To them, being male is more of a governing position, one which may change and switched out multiple times. A Hawsfrine may also change its name post a gender swap, but that is most common in places outside the Feywild.

It has been noted that Hawsfrine tribes have crossed over to the material plane in locations where the connection between the material plane and the Feywild is strong. Some Hawsfine have been known to leave their tribes to go on a life of exploration and adventuring. But their species ability to change gender may still affect them and those around them. In groups with other humanoids, stronger Hawsfrine feel the natural urge to push for dominance in the group. If they achieve dominance in their respective group, they will switch to the male gender if not already. If they don't they will convert to the female gender. Typically, a Hawsfrine that has not pushed for dominance may already be of the female gender. But their natural fey magic may end up affecting other humanoid races in their presence. When a Hawsfrine makes the transition from male to female outside their tribe and amongst other humanoid races, the humanoid previously seen as the most dominant in the group will change to the opposite sex. If a humanoid overtakes a Hawsfrine in status, the Hawsfrine will convert to the female gender while the humanoid switches to the opposite gender. The Hawsfrine may think its natural, but it probably isn't natural to the person who has had their sex changed. Many have found that these changes may be reversed if the transformed humanoid takes back their dominance away from the Hawsfrine or through restoration magic.

Hawsfrine Names

Hawsfrine are given their name at birth. But even though they may switch genders, they usually don't change their name. This may only occur in situations where they are with other humanoid and outside the Feywild.

Male: Agrata, Aquis, Avris, Bornet, Ceimu, Drake, Korma, Latus, Leomaris, Midus, Morgan, Namor, Nido, Orman, Pvorsa, Salas, Sedor, Talrand, Typhon, Wiggus.

Female: Anosa, Ariel, Atlise, Cordula, Corselle, Halimeda, Iren, Katara, Kella, Kilmie, Korra, Marilla, Morea, Nosae, Portia, Soreen, Tassab, Ulanda, Vesta, Yisea, Zegana, Undyne.

Hawsfrine Traits

A sea dwelling fish-like humanoid native to the oceans of the Feywild
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1.
Age. Hawsfrine reach maturity at 30 and live for about 600 years.
Alignment. Most Hawsfrine prefer to be kind and caring, but they all love freedom and their ways seem strange to most humanoids. Most are chaotic good.
Size. Hawsfrine range from under 5 to over 6 feet tall with females being smaller in most cases. 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 both air and water.
Ocean Senses. 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. In addition, your stalks also give you blindsight in a 30 foot while you are submerged in water.
Fey Ancestry. You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Sylvan. Most Hawsfrine also learn Aquan later in life.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
5′ 6''	+1d6	100 lb.	× (1d6) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

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