Cecaelia

Cecaelias are amphibious people who are known for their colorful appearance and octopus-like tentacles that make up the lower half of their body. Cecaelias spend most of their short lives seeking out new places and people to experience. They spend most of their lives wandering the seas and shores of the world, before returning to their secret homes in the deeps.
Cecaelias are hybrids with a humanoid torso and a lower octopus-like body. Cecaelia have the ability to control the color and texture of their skin. Most prefer tones of red, orange, and purple and smooth skin accented by pebbled areas. Their hair usually matches their skin tone, but can be any color. Cecaelia have large, black eyes that see well in any light. Their large and flat ears provide excellent hearing above or below the waves. Their torsos tend to be thin and muscular, with small fins at their elbows and webbed hands. From the waist down cecaelias are similar to an octopus, with eight tentacles that have suckers found on the underside. These tentacles allow them to propel themselves through the water or to move on land.
Deep Origins
The history of the cecaelias as a race is all but unknown to scholars of the surface world. Though some surface dwellers believe they are a subrace of merfolk, this race of cephaloids, and indeed the merfolk, would take great offense at the comparison. Long before the elves and merfolk arrived in the seas, the cecaelia were found throughout the deeps to the surface. The true origin of the cecaelias is unknown, with theories that connect them with krakens, aboleths, or even the demon lords. Cecaelias believe that a mother octopus sent forth her curious children to explore the world and enjoy all of its delights. Whatever their true origin, some believe cecaelia are visitors from the evil deeps, but few hold this prejudice once they have actually met one.
Hidden Homes
Cecaelias are born into small family-based groups that reside in hidden settlements, called nests, far from other settlements. Their homes are usually found in caves in the deepest seas and usually average only a few dozen members. When a cecaelia reaches maturity, they will usually feel a deep need to set out on their own for a few decades to experience the world and all the pleasures it has to offer.
When most cecaelia start to reach their twilight years they will feel deep homesickness, ending their wandering to return home. As an elder, they are now responsible for running the community. More importantly, elders spend their remaining days passing their skills, stories, and knowledge to the next generation, who will strike out into the world.
Friendly Wanderers
While traveling, most cecaelia seek out natural wonders and interesting people. Most importantly, cecaelia desire powerful experiences and will try nearly anything once. Cecaelia are known for being friendly and charismatic, quickly making friends wherever they go.
They prefer to share stories of their experiences since they left home and deflect questions about where they are from. Cecaelia are self-reliant and often travel alone, but enjoy spending time with interesting people. This private and independent nature has landed cecaelia with a reputation for being secretive. If a cecaelia can find a group they can trust, they’ll eventually become less elusive, but unlikely to ever talk about their nest.
Cecaelia Adventurers
For cecaelias, adventuring provides an excellent way to experience many people, places, and things. While independent, cecaelias enjoy spending time with interesting and exciting people such as adventuring parties. They will usually wander for decades until they become an elder and settle down.

Cecaelia Traits:

Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 2 and your Constitution score increases by 1.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 25 feet. You have a swimming speed of 35 feet.
Amphibious. You can breathe both air and water.
Darkvision. Accustomed to life deep underwater, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. 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.
Camouflage. You may alter your skin color and texture and your hair color, allowing you to blend into your surroundings. This ability grants you advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks to hide if you touch a surface that is larger than you such as coral, giant kelp, rock, sand, or wood.
Tentacles. Your tentacles are natural melee weapons which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal bludgeoning damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike. Additionally, if you use your Action to make an attack with your tentacles, as a bonus action you can make a grapple check.
Dweller of the Depths. You have resistance to cold damage, and ignore any of the drawbacks caused by a deep underwater environment.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Elvish, Deep Speech, and one extra language of your choice.

Basic Information

Growth Rate & Stages

Cecaelias reach adulthood at age 16 and live up to 60 years.

Average Height

6 to 7 feet tall

Average Weight

200 to 300 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Geographic Distribution

• Twilight Waters