Cirrpedian: Aquatic Player Race [Archive] - Wizards Community

Cirrpedian: Aquatic Player Race [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
The Vorpal Tribble
10-08-04, 04:35 AM Cirripedian

This is a new race to the realm of psionics, and an aquatic one at that. They can be used in nearly any campaign, though ones taking place on the high seas, or on a large group of islands are ideal.

--

Cirripedians are an exotic, aquatic race highly developed in psionics. Their entire life is spent gathering knowledge, experiences, and insight to the physical, mental, and spiritual. Individual cirripedians occasionally choose to become explorers, being interested in anything and everything.

Personality:
Cirripedians are at once gregarious and hermatic, individuals and of a group mind. Gigantic clusters of them can be found discussing points of view, experiences, thoughts, ideas, while individuals leagues away from the nearest of their people is also not uncommon. If one of their kind is near they will try to meet. If not, they are quite content to pursue their own thoughts. Once fully grown the adults latch onto an idea, a place, a position and very rarely, if at all, wander from that decision. They form close family and friendships with those of their kind, and even quite commonly those of other races. The latter is generally discouraged for the other races are notorious for getting bored and moving on whenever they feel like it. This is akin to the person dying to a Cirripedian, and if met again later on, is highly emotionally disturbing.

They are always very optimistic and sunny, rarely thinking badly of another unless their evil is blatantly obvious.
Cirripedians also never battle or harm the other, for if they are close enough to do so they are, together, family.

Physical Description:
Cirripedians vaguely resemble upright gooseneck barnacles, and can be distinguished by its long neck, or stalk, which ends in a flat, snail-like foot. This stalk is usually up to 7 feet long and about 9 inches wide when fully extended and supported by water. The stalk has a leathery appearance with a texture of small bumps. The stalk also contains the gland that is used to produce the adhesive that allows them to attach to nearly any kind of hard surface. While on land the stalk can support the weight and even lift the shelled body a couple feet in the air, but is greatly thickened and flattened. It is not capable of any kind of jumping while inland.

The teardrop shaped, valved shell, or capitulum, of the cirripedian grows to be about three feet long and one and a half wide. It is made up of small plates, which enclose its soft body. It is fantastically colored naturally with all shades and designs, whirls and spirals and dots that allows them to blend with the coral they normally live with. Inside the shell, the cirredpians primarily consists of many long segmented legs, intestines, stomach and most importantly a large brain.

The 12-36 legs/tentacles are segmented with a light, flexible exoskeleton and range in size from 4 foot long and 3 inches thick to little more than long, thick hairs. This gives them a dexterity above most sentients. Food is caught or picked up in a lassoing action of these tentacles. Six pairs contract and force the food down towards the mouth. Many small hairs that line the sides of the segmented tentacles help catch the food. These hairs also aid in the movement of food towards the mouth. On land the larger tentacles are used to slowly pull the body forward, or to put it upright onto its stalk.

Relations to other species/cultures:
Cirripedians generally like and tolerate all other races equally (unless they come attacking) and indeed enjoy their company for they bring a new viewpoint to be considered. The cirripedians understand that to others they are usually the more unusual or grotesque appearing species of any group so they feel they really have no right to make judgment.

Alignment:
A cirripedian highly regards stability and firmly set rules, making them almost always lawful good, though more rarely neutral good.

Cirripedian Lands:
They tend live on the sides of underwater mountains and extinct volcanoes, but only down to depths that light can still penetrate. Their homes, and entire vertical cities, are normally crafted of coral and similar materials, for they have learned the way of mentally directing the tiny creature that make them, and can therefore make it into nearly any shape or size they like over time

Religion:
Most cirripedians are druidic, seeking to preserve and protect underwater growths, and hate to see anything interesting or of beauty destroyed.

Language:
The cirripedian language is completely unvocal for they use their tentacles to form an advanced form of sign language. Moods and tones and inflections are added to the words by chemicals the cirripedian release in the surrounding waters. Therefore to all but their own people, you can never tell how one is feeling without asking. It generally adapts easily to other species sign and body language and can communicate via theres. They do however understand Aquan, and Common if near human coastal towns.

Those who have bonded with a group can speak telepathically with them, regardless of language barriers. This takes approxitamely a week after they have linked their Fate with the party members.

Names:
Amongst themselves, names are never given to cirripedians, for their scent distinguishes them. They do, however, respond to any names given them by others, which they regard as special gifts.

Adventurers:
Cirripedians adventurers are nearly always psions who wish for a wide variety of experiences to further the broadness of their minds.

Cirripedian Racial Traits

* -2 strength, -4 dexterity, +4 intelligence, +4 wisdom, -4 charisma: Cirripedians have little strength, and are slow and clumsy out of water (aside from their tentacle usage which is beyond most races), but they are agile minded and have a natural feel for their existence. However, cirripedians are easily one of the ugliest races one will ever meet, making most feel uncomfortable at best, or xenophobically disgusted at worst.

* Aberration: Cirripedians are not subject to spells or effects that affect humanoids only.

* Small: As a Small creature a cirripedian gains a +1 size bonus to Armor Class, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, and a +4 size bonus on hide checks, but it uses smaller weapons than humans use, and its lifting and carrying limits are only a quarter of those of a Medium character.

* A cirripedian's land speed is 5 feet, its swim speed 30 feet, and its climb speed 10 feet.

* Naturally Psionic: Cirripedians gain 4 bonus power points at 1st level.

* Shell: A cirripedian's shell is strong and sturdy, granting it a +4 natural armor bonus to AC and resistance to cold and heat (though not fire) +10. This natural energy resistance stacks with any future energy resistance gained through other effects.
If rolled into the shell, a cirripedian gains an extra +2 to natural armor, but cannot make any movements beside for a slow shuffle on its mostly covered stalk. However, because of the coloration of the shell, all those around get a +2 bonus to spot check unless the cirripedian is amongst its native coral reefs. If so, then non-cirripedians gain -4 to spot checks as the cirripedians naturally blend in.

* Initiative: The actual movement of a Cirripedian is painfully slow, but its reaction time and reflexes are extraordinarily quick. This gives them a +4 to initiative as if using the Improved Initiative feat, usually to roll up into their shells.

* Psi-like ability:
Empathy/unlimited - cirripedians are naturally empathic, sensing the moods of all those around them.

Fate Link/unlimited - a cirripedian can allow themselves to become emotionally attached to members of its party after being in their presence for 1d6 weeks, and a week afterwards can speak to them mind to mind.

Immovability/3 per day a cirripedian can imbue the sticky substance produced from its 'foot' to actually bind to the underlying fabric of the plane.

* Aquatic: They can remain out of water for several days if necessary by holding water within their shells, but are highly uncomfortable without a daily immersion. If they do not replinish this water (salt or fresh) within a week a cirripedian dies.

* Heightened Senses: A cirripedian has an extremely acute sense of smell, allowing it the Scent ability, as well as sight, giving it a +4 to spot checks. It has no sense of hearing or taste however.

* Favored Class: Psion

* Class Restrictions: A cirripedian cannot play a barbarian. Only underwater are they physically capable of playing warriors, monks, rangers, and paladins.

* Level Adjustment: +2
Ricohard_Draconis
10-08-04, 04:53 AM only one question.

why not paladins or rangers?

if they're that attached to a single lawful good idea doesn't that make them perfect paladn material?

and underwater wouldn't they make good rangers among the reefs?
The Vorpal Tribble
10-08-04, 04:59 AM Hrmmm, well, y'know, I guess they could underwater, though they are normally highly uncombatitive.
savant_warlord13
11-07-05, 08:42 PM why is the climb speed 10 ft and the normal speed 5 ft?
obrysii
11-07-05, 08:48 PM Pretty good except one thing:

THERE ARE NO RACE-CLASS RESTRICTIONS IN 3ed DnD!
The Vorpal Tribble
11-08-05, 08:13 AM Hoo boy

I made this critter over a year ago when I first started doing monster making. If it hasn't been done in the last six months, its most likely got something way off :rolleyes:

*points to the post date*
Nemorium
01-24-06, 05:42 PM I am new, but I have been looking at your stuff for a long time, and this is one of my favorites. Keep up the good work.
The Vorpal Tribble
01-24-06, 05:46 PM Ack... I need to update this thing and make it into a proper monster one of these days.
Tamelo
01-24-06, 06:19 PM My first complaint is the charisma penalty. Charisma ties intro many more things than good looks, and, even if it was good looks, presumably they look okay to each other.

Also, what does it mean that: "Only underwater are they physically capable of playing warriors, monks, rangers, and paladins"? Does that mean that one who spends most of his time on land cannot take levels in those? Does it mean they loose all abilities of those classes if they leave the water? And what is this reference to warriors? Do you mean the NPC class, or do you mean fighters. And, the most important question, why does the restriction exist?

I would advize you to clarify the statement about being unable to hear. Are they treated as deafened? Do they automatically fail listen checks? Can they carry on conversation?

All in all, though, good monster.
Nemorium
01-24-06, 06:26 PM Most likely, he means that underwater, their unusual body structure prevents them from training as warriors/fighters. This is because they cannot summon the physical force necessary to cause harm with the blow.

P.S. The elf is a guy, I have the book he's in.
The Vorpal Tribble
01-24-06, 07:04 PM <<NOTICE>>

These things were made two years ago and one of my first if not THE first D&D critters I ever made, and I was very new to it. Don't bother telling me they need work anymore, I know ;)
obrysii
01-24-06, 08:37 PM Unique player races = teh win

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
The Vorpal Tribble 10-08-04, 04:35 AM	Cirripedian This is a new race to the realm of psionics, and an aquatic one at that. They can be used in nearly any campaign, though ones taking place on the high seas, or on a large group of islands are ideal. -- Cirripedians are an exotic, aquatic race highly developed in psionics. Their entire life is spent gathering knowledge, experiences, and insight to the physical, mental, and spiritual. Individual cirripedians occasionally choose to become explorers, being interested in anything and everything. Personality: Cirripedians are at once gregarious and hermatic, individuals and of a group mind. Gigantic clusters of them can be found discussing points of view, experiences, thoughts, ideas, while individuals leagues away from the nearest of their people is also not uncommon. If one of their kind is near they will try to meet. If not, they are quite content to pursue their own thoughts. Once fully grown the adults latch onto an idea, a place, a position and very rarely, if at all, wander from that decision. They form close family and friendships with those of their kind, and even quite commonly those of other races. The latter is generally discouraged for the other races are notorious for getting bored and moving on whenever they feel like it. This is akin to the person dying to a Cirripedian, and if met again later on, is highly emotionally disturbing. They are always very optimistic and sunny, rarely thinking badly of another unless their evil is blatantly obvious. Cirripedians also never battle or harm the other, for if they are close enough to do so they are, together, family. Physical Description: Cirripedians vaguely resemble upright gooseneck barnacles, and can be distinguished by its long neck, or stalk, which ends in a flat, snail-like foot. This stalk is usually up to 7 feet long and about 9 inches wide when fully extended and supported by water. The stalk has a leathery appearance with a texture of small bumps. The stalk also contains the gland that is used to produce the adhesive that allows them to attach to nearly any kind of hard surface. While on land the stalk can support the weight and even lift the shelled body a couple feet in the air, but is greatly thickened and flattened. It is not capable of any kind of jumping while inland. The teardrop shaped, valved shell, or capitulum, of the cirripedian grows to be about three feet long and one and a half wide. It is made up of small plates, which enclose its soft body. It is fantastically colored naturally with all shades and designs, whirls and spirals and dots that allows them to blend with the coral they normally live with. Inside the shell, the cirredpians primarily consists of many long segmented legs, intestines, stomach and most importantly a large brain. The 12-36 legs/tentacles are segmented with a light, flexible exoskeleton and range in size from 4 foot long and 3 inches thick to little more than long, thick hairs. This gives them a dexterity above most sentients. Food is caught or picked up in a lassoing action of these tentacles. Six pairs contract and force the food down towards the mouth. Many small hairs that line the sides of the segmented tentacles help catch the food. These hairs also aid in the movement of food towards the mouth. On land the larger tentacles are used to slowly pull the body forward, or to put it upright onto its stalk. Relations to other species/cultures: Cirripedians generally like and tolerate all other races equally (unless they come attacking) and indeed enjoy their company for they bring a new viewpoint to be considered. The cirripedians understand that to others they are usually the more unusual or grotesque appearing species of any group so they feel they really have no right to make judgment. Alignment: A cirripedian highly regards stability and firmly set rules, making them almost always lawful good, though more rarely neutral good. Cirripedian Lands: They tend live on the sides of underwater mountains and extinct volcanoes, but only down to depths that light can still penetrate. Their homes, and entire vertical cities, are normally crafted of coral and similar materials, for they have learned the way of mentally directing the tiny creature that make them, and can therefore make it into nearly any shape or size they like over time Religion: Most cirripedians are druidic, seeking to preserve and protect underwater growths, and hate to see anything interesting or of beauty destroyed. Language: The cirripedian language is completely unvocal for they use their tentacles to form an advanced form of sign language. Moods and tones and inflections are added to the words by chemicals the cirripedian release in the surrounding waters. Therefore to all but their own people, you can never tell how one is feeling without asking. It generally adapts easily to other species sign and body language and can communicate via theres. They do however understand Aquan, and Common if near human coastal towns. Those who have bonded with a group can speak telepathically with them, regardless of language barriers. This takes approxitamely a week after they have linked their Fate with the party members. Names: Amongst themselves, names are never given to cirripedians, for their scent distinguishes them. They do, however, respond to any names given them by others, which they regard as special gifts. Adventurers: Cirripedians adventurers are nearly always psions who wish for a wide variety of experiences to further the broadness of their minds. Cirripedian Racial Traits * -2 strength, -4 dexterity, +4 intelligence, +4 wisdom, -4 charisma: Cirripedians have little strength, and are slow and clumsy out of water (aside from their tentacle usage which is beyond most races), but they are agile minded and have a natural feel for their existence. However, cirripedians are easily one of the ugliest races one will ever meet, making most feel uncomfortable at best, or xenophobically disgusted at worst. * Aberration: Cirripedians are not subject to spells or effects that affect humanoids only. * Small: As a Small creature a cirripedian gains a +1 size bonus to Armor Class, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, and a +4 size bonus on hide checks, but it uses smaller weapons than humans use, and its lifting and carrying limits are only a quarter of those of a Medium character. * A cirripedian's land speed is 5 feet, its swim speed 30 feet, and its climb speed 10 feet. * Naturally Psionic: Cirripedians gain 4 bonus power points at 1st level. * Shell: A cirripedian's shell is strong and sturdy, granting it a +4 natural armor bonus to AC and resistance to cold and heat (though not fire) +10. This natural energy resistance stacks with any future energy resistance gained through other effects. If rolled into the shell, a cirripedian gains an extra +2 to natural armor, but cannot make any movements beside for a slow shuffle on its mostly covered stalk. However, because of the coloration of the shell, all those around get a +2 bonus to spot check unless the cirripedian is amongst its native coral reefs. If so, then non-cirripedians gain -4 to spot checks as the cirripedians naturally blend in. * Initiative: The actual movement of a Cirripedian is painfully slow, but its reaction time and reflexes are extraordinarily quick. This gives them a +4 to initiative as if using the Improved Initiative feat, usually to roll up into their shells. * Psi-like ability: Empathy/unlimited - cirripedians are naturally empathic, sensing the moods of all those around them. Fate Link/unlimited - a cirripedian can allow themselves to become emotionally attached to members of its party after being in their presence for 1d6 weeks, and a week afterwards can speak to them mind to mind. Immovability/3 per day a cirripedian can imbue the sticky substance produced from its 'foot' to actually bind to the underlying fabric of the plane. * Aquatic: They can remain out of water for several days if necessary by holding water within their shells, but are highly uncomfortable without a daily immersion. If they do not replinish this water (salt or fresh) within a week a cirripedian dies. * Heightened Senses: A cirripedian has an extremely acute sense of smell, allowing it the Scent ability, as well as sight, giving it a +4 to spot checks. It has no sense of hearing or taste however. * Favored Class: Psion * Class Restrictions: A cirripedian cannot play a barbarian. Only underwater are they physically capable of playing warriors, monks, rangers, and paladins. * Level Adjustment: +2
Ricohard_Draconis 10-08-04, 04:53 AM	only one question. why not paladins or rangers? if they're that attached to a single lawful good idea doesn't that make them perfect paladn material? and underwater wouldn't they make good rangers among the reefs?
The Vorpal Tribble 10-08-04, 04:59 AM	Hrmmm, well, y'know, I guess they could underwater, though they are normally highly uncombatitive.
savant_warlord13 11-07-05, 08:42 PM	why is the climb speed 10 ft and the normal speed 5 ft?
obrysii 11-07-05, 08:48 PM	Pretty good except one thing: THERE ARE NO RACE-CLASS RESTRICTIONS IN 3ed DnD!
The Vorpal Tribble 11-08-05, 08:13 AM	Hoo boy I made this critter over a year ago when I first started doing monster making. If it hasn't been done in the last six months, its most likely got something way off :rolleyes: points to the post date
Nemorium 01-24-06, 05:42 PM	I am new, but I have been looking at your stuff for a long time, and this is one of my favorites. Keep up the good work.
The Vorpal Tribble 01-24-06, 05:46 PM	Ack... I need to update this thing and make it into a proper monster one of these days.
Tamelo 01-24-06, 06:19 PM	My first complaint is the charisma penalty. Charisma ties intro many more things than good looks, and, even if it was good looks, presumably they look okay to each other. Also, what does it mean that: "Only underwater are they physically capable of playing warriors, monks, rangers, and paladins"? Does that mean that one who spends most of his time on land cannot take levels in those? Does it mean they loose all abilities of those classes if they leave the water? And what is this reference to warriors? Do you mean the NPC class, or do you mean fighters. And, the most important question, why does the restriction exist? I would advize you to clarify the statement about being unable to hear. Are they treated as deafened? Do they automatically fail listen checks? Can they carry on conversation? All in all, though, good monster.
Nemorium 01-24-06, 06:26 PM	Most likely, he means that underwater, their unusual body structure prevents them from training as warriors/fighters. This is because they cannot summon the physical force necessary to cause harm with the blow. P.S. The elf is a guy, I have the book he's in.
The Vorpal Tribble 01-24-06, 07:04 PM	<<NOTICE>> These things were made two years ago and one of my first if not THE first D&D critters I ever made, and I was very new to it. Don't bother telling me they need work anymore, I know ;)
obrysii 01-24-06, 08:37 PM	Unique player races = teh win