Sahuagin

Death rises from the depths to claim intruders with the mournful wail of conch shell horns, shadows beneath the waves, and fins slicing through the water. The cruel and ravenous sahuagin-also known as sea devils-thrive where other aquatic races founder. A wickedly perfect fusion of humanoid and shark, sahuagin glide through the ocean in search of prey and conquest.

Great cities darken the ocean floors where the sea devils dwell, and coastal fortresses in shallower waters and reefs expand their influence to the boundary between sea and land. Bloodthirsty yet methodical, the sahuagin brutally defend their territory beneath the waves, primarily against the aquatic elves, their ancient foes. Sharks are drawn to the sea devils and easily fall beneath their sway, creating a tide of fins and fangs and blood to sweep over the world’s oceans.

Physical Description

About 7 feet tall and weighing over 250 pounds, sahuagin are built to hunt. Solidly muscular, the sea devils are humanoid in basic shape with horns and membranes that form frills down the spine and along a powerful, lashing tail. Similar structures form distinctive ear frills on the sides of their heads, and their hand and feet are webbed.

Fingers end in hard claws, and a sahuagin’s wide mouth is filled with multiple rows of sharklike teeth.

Their skin is incredibly thick, rivaling leather armor in terms of protection. Sahuagin skin tones range from dark green to dusty blue along the back of the body, fading to lighter shades on the creature’s underbelly. Frills and fins can be yellow, red, orange, or pink, in contrast to the base skin color. Sometimes mutations occur, and the more powerful and feared sahuagin warlords sport four arms or sharklike tails instead of legs. Primarily aquatic, sahuagin can survive for several hours at a time on dry land, though they are extremely uncomfortable out of water.

Racial Traits

Your sahuagin character has certain characteristics in common with all other sahuagin.

Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Age. Sahuagin come of age in their late teens. Though age takes its toll, there is no known upper limit to sahuagin lifespan.

Alignment. Their regimented nature marks sahuagin as universally lawful, and nearly all are evil. Sea devils who buck these trends are either killed or exiled, accounting for the occasional sahuagin adventurer.

Size. Sahuagin can reach a height of 6 to 7 feet and sport muscular builds. Your size is Medium.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet, and you have a swim speed of 40 feet.

Superior Darkvision. Accustomed to living in the dark depths of the ocean, you can see in dim light within 120 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You cannot discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Blood Frenzy. As a bonus action, you can enter a blood frenzy until the end of your turn. While in blood frenzy you have advantage on melee attack rolls against any creature that doesn’t have all its hit points. You can use this ability a number of times equal to your Constitution modifier (minimum of 1), and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.

Limited Amphibiousness. You can breathe air and water, but you need to be submerged at least once every 4 hours or you begin suffocating.

Natural Armor. Your thick hide grants you an AC of 12 + your Dexterity modifier.

Natural Attacks. You have proficiency with your claws and bite. Your claws deal 1d4 slashing damage, and your bite deals 1d4 piercing damage.

Shark Telepathy. You can magically command one shark within 120 feet of you using limited telepathy. This command is limited to simple concepts such as “come here,” “defend me,” or “attack this target.” Languages. You can speak, read, and write Aquan and Common.

Character Details

You can determine the specific details of your unlikely hero’s height and weight using the guidelines suggested in the racial descriptions. Remember that these are a snapshot of the average members of these races. Outliers exist in any population, allowing for vastly greater or lesser stature, or coloration outside the suggestion norm.

If you wish to randomly generate your hero’s physical characteristics, roll on the following table as appropriate for your character’s race and gender.

Race Base Height Height Modifier Base Weight Weight Modifier
Sahuagin 6′ 6″ +2d6 150 lb. x (2d10) lb.
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Unlikely Heroes for 5th Edition © 2016 Open Design; Author: Dan Dillon.

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