River-Devil (5e Race)

River-Devil

“	Shame the lads had to go break my deal for the last stretch of river. Might have even made it safe and sound too.	”
—King Yon Jon

Physical Description

By Lucas Andrade

Rotund of body and colossal of maw, river-Ddvils appear as large catfish like humanoids. Rather infamous for their silver-tongued negotiation ability and natural charm, river-devils often also dress the part of a smooth criminal, usually preferring fine clothes. River-devils tend to have earthy-toned colored skin, ranging anywhere between tan and brown, to mossy algae greens. Two of the most peculiar and memorable bits of River-devil anatomy are their angler fish-like lure and huge jaws. The lures serve as sources of light for river-devils and serve to help capture prey and distract their enemies. Most river-devils cover these lures with some kind of hat or covering, only taking them out when needed. The maw of a river-devil is very large, with a few whisker-like protuberances coming out near the top of their mouths. It's said that the only things river-devil respect among their own kind are age, cleverness, and the size of their own jaws. They can use these jaws to hide their young, or swallow prey and their enemies whole.

History

River-devils are said to be relatives of wastriliths, which are demons. However, it is possible river-devils are actually descendants or ascendant forms of the catfishes common in the Underdark. In exchange for a humanoid form, they have lost a good deal of sensitivity in their whiskers, and now rely more on sight. They have also adapted a completely amphibious lifestyle, now able to survive out of water. They have been known to control waterways in ancient times, maintaining bridge traffic for payment and such. As expected, they are very greedy and have evolved with the times to control a good deal of the underworld in cities by waterfronts like Waterdeep.

Society

River-devils live in large family clans, with two or three families making up most river-devil villages. Each village is ruled by a leader, or River King or Queen. The River King or Queen is generally the oldest and most clever river-devil, often keeping the records of each contract, deal, or con made by any river-devil in their village. River-devils unsurprisingly have an easy niche in the criminal underground of many cities of Faerun, working as middlemen for many criminal families and gangs. Their young are taught the ways of swindlers early, and they take up many jobs that may stretch along the edges of oceans. But their villages are mainly near inner bodies of stagnant or freshwater, and this has sometimes led to many an unsavory meeting with ramacoro, who view them as evil propagators of defilement.

River-Devil Names

River-devils have names that blend in with the populace that they do business with.

Male: Abnard, Augustine, Henri, Herve, Joffrey, Xavier, Yon Jon, Tahm Kench

Female: Agatha, Jesabelle, Mileena, Nina, Sindra, Yanna

River-Devil Traits

Monstrous silver-tongued con-men and swindlers.
Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 2 and your Constitution score increases by 1.
Age. River-devils are fairly long-lived, reaching maturity at 60 years, and generally live to be about 400 to 600 years old.
Alignment. River-devils are natural tricksters and swindlers and are commonly some form of neutral, with most tending towards chaotic neutral, and a more than a few are chaotic evil. It's from these few that the infamous river-devil reputation became widely spread.
Size. River-devils are usually around 4 to nearly 7 feet in height, and almost nearly as wide. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 25 feet. You have a swimming speed of 20 feet.
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.
Lamplight Lure. You have a large lure similar to an angler fish on your head. You can make it light up or turn off with a bonus action. It emits bright light for up to 20 feet of you and dim light for 10 feet after that.
Tongue Lash. Your muscular tongue is as strong as your arms. You can use your tongue to grapple creatures of equal or smaller size than you even when you don't have a free hand.
Slimy Membrane. You are coated with mucus to assist with drying out. You have advantage on checks to escape from being grappled.
Art of the Deal. You have advantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks related to contracts, bets, or similar negotiations.
Amphibious. You can breathe both water and air.
Languages. You speak, read and write in Common and Undercommon.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
4′ 5''	+4d8	180 lb.	× (1d8) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

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