Merfolk, Swampscale (5e Race)

Swampscale Merfolk

A race of amphibious humanoids at home throughout the swamps, bayous, and backwater. All Merfolk can breathe air or filter oxygen from the water, and they can walk on land or swim with equal ease. The Swampscale in particular have protected gils that prevent the debris of the murky waters they inhabit from obstructing the oxygen filtering process.

Physical Description

Swampscale Merfolk generally stand between seven and eight feet tall, with skin that ranges from deep burgundy through many shades of blue, to green, dark orange, and brown. They are humanlike in shape, but have long fins extending from their shoulders, forearms, middle backs, and calves. Frills of fins also protrude from the backs of their heads.. Their fins are relatively short and thick. They climb trees with ease, move through undergrowth unhindered, and often wield magic to shape vines and branches to their will.

Society

The Swampscale are very shamanistic in nature and worship the land and water they live on and in more than anything. While social creatures, many like to live simple, reclusive lives either alone or among small, tight-knit groups of their selected peers.

Swampscale Merfolk Names

Male: Kumena, Kopala, Vuhana, Tuvasa, Kopala

Female: Tishana, Pashona, Mítca, Falana

Swampscale Merfolk Traits

Your Merfolk character has the following traits.

Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 2 and your Wisdom score increases by 1.
Age. Swampscale Merfolk mature at the same rate humans do and reach adulthood around the age of 20. They live considerably longer than humans, though, often reaching well over 100 years.
Alignment. Most Swampscale Merfolk are neutral, living in close harmony with nature. However, the more reclusive Swampscale can be chaotic due to their lack of social contact or natural mischievousness.
Size. Swampscale Merfolk are the same size as most humans, standing between five and six feet tall and averaging about 150 pounds. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet. You also have a swimming speed of 30 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.
Amphibious. You can breathe air and water.
Mask of the Wild. You can attempt to hide even when you are only lightly obscured by foliage, heavy rain, falling snow, mist, and other natural phenomena.
Verdant Cunning. Swampscale Merfolk are naturally evasive and intentionally enigmatic when dealing with those outside their race, and are often described as manipulative (even if unintentionally). You have proficiency in the Deception and Persuasion skills.
Cantrip. You know one cantrip of your choice from the druid spell list. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for it.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common, Merfolk, and one other language of your choice.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
′ ″	+	lb.	× () lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

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