Decapodians

Mant-i Striker

Chapter 1: Player Options

Character Languages
Your character can speak, read, and write Common and
Races one other language you and your GM agree is appro-
priate to the character. Other languages in frequent
use across the Isles of Manaki include Dwarvish and
Primordial. Your GM may also allow you to choose Old
Creating Your Character Ikolf, or any of the other languages presented in the 5th
Edition of the world’s greatest roleplaying game.
Follow these additional rules during character creation.

Life Span
Ability Score Increases The typical life span of a character is about a
When determining your character’s ability scores, century, assuming the character doesn’t meet with an
increase one score by 2 and increase a different score unfortunate end.
by 1, or increase three different scores by 1. Follow this
rule regardless of the method you use to determine the Height and Weight
scores, such as rolling or point buy. Whichever scores Characters typically fall into the same ranges of height
you increase, none of the scores can be raised above 20. and weight exhibited by humans in our world.

6
 Decapodians ‘Ula’Ula
The Isles’ inherent magic can have unexpected conse- The ‘ula’ula are an introspective species, prone to long
quences. Early in the formation of the Isles, lowly, everyday periods of silence while they contemplate philosophical
creatures began to change in both awareness and size. questions. They seldom stir themselves to fight, but
Over time, they became sentient and built communities. are capable warriors if provoked. Physically, ‘ula’ula
They call themselves decapodians. There are two types of have changed little from their original form other
decapodians: the ‘ula’ula, which evolved from lobsters, and than growing significantly larger and developing vocal
the mant-i, which evolved from mantis shrimp. chords. The most common coloration is a mottled
While in their unevolved forms, neither ‘ula’ula or brown, but both blue and orange are prevalent. In rare
the mant-i held any particular love for the other, but instances, their carapace can be white. These “radiant”
they learned to work together and coexist, finding more ‘ula’ula are much esteemed and revered.
in common with each other than with the other species Few ‘ula’ula ascend to visit the land (other than the
that live in the Isles. Glowing Caves), unless they have a particular reason to
Outwardly, there are no significant differences (such as gaining a wanted piece of knowledge or a game
between male and female decapodians. However, in of wits), as they find moving outside the water laborious.
recent years, after contact with other species, some They often have a flair for strategy games and enjoy chess
female decapodians have taken to decorating their and go, though they require help to move the pieces.
carapaces and even wearing sturdy chain link jewelry. ‘Ula’ula are long-lived, though they reach physical
Early each summer, decapodians molt. When this maturity at around 12 years of age. Physically, they
happens, their movement speed is halved and they have continue to grow at a slow rate, getting larger and larger
a −3 penalty to AC, making them extremely vulnerable. with each molting, until their death. Exactly how long
Infrequent travelers at best, they never leave Chitoni an ‘ula’ula can live is unknown, but legends say some
during the molting period, as it takes their new shells a will live until the end of time. ‘Ula’ula range greatly in
full week to harden. size depending upon their age, most ranging from 3 feet
to around 14 feet tall for the longest-lived ‘ula’ula.
Decapodian Names
Most decapodian names are difficult to pronounce for
‘Ula’ula Traits
You have the following racial traits.
other humanoids’ tongues, containing an abundance of
consonants and lots of sibilants. When in doubt, add a Speed. Your walking speed is 20 feet. Your swimming
burble and end with a clack. speed is 40 feet.
Decapodian Names: Chasskrck, Kcckkaat, Shhstttuck, Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of
Tteckrckttsss, Wrssstckkassask, Yharasstuc you as if it were in bright light, and in darkness as if
it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness,
only shades of gray. As your vision is adapted for
Decapodian Traits water, you can see the color blue at any depth.
Creature Type. You are a Humanoid. Fast Escape. Using your caridoid escape to go
Size. You are Medium or Small. You choose the size backward quickly, you can take the Disengage action
when you select this race. as a bonus action.
Limited Amphibiousness. Decapodians can breathe Keen Smell. You have advantage on Wisdom
air and water, but must be submerged in saltwater for (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
1 hour a day or dry out and gain 1 level of exhaustion.
This level of exhaustion can’t be removed until the
decapodian spends 1 hour in saltwater.
Natural Armor. The natural shape of your body
makes it difficult for you to wear armor. Instead, your
carapace provides you with natural protection; your
base AC is 13 + your Dexterity modifier. You gain no
benefit from wearing armor, but you can still use a
shield and gain its bonus, as normal.
Subrace. Choose the ‘ula’ula or the mant-i subrace.

‘Ula’ Ula

Chapter 1: Player Options 7

 Decapodian Quirks
Mant-i d6 Quirk
The mant-i are much more volatile in nature and can 1 Gold and riches are meaningless to you.
be considered the enforcers of the decapodian species. 2 You sometimes forget to talk out loud.
While loners in their nonsentient mantis shrimp form, 3 You like to collect shiny things for your nest.
the mant-i have developed into highly coordinated and 4 You assume everyone else is unintelligent until
cooperative fighters. They pride themselves on both convinced otherwise.
their strength and speed. Mant-i always patrol in pairs: 5 You prefer your food raw.
one basher and one striker. A mant-i who joins a party
6 You can’t sleep unless rocked by the waves.
without another mant-i will likely attempt to form a sim-
ilar symbiotic relationship with another party member.
Unlike the ‘ula’ula, the mant-i evolved significant dif- Personality Traits
ferences from their original form. They now stand upon d6 Personality Trait
one pair of muscular walking legs and have four pairs of 1 Anything not decapodian is a potential food source.
clawed arms, down from eight pairs of appendages. For
2 I see omens and portents everywhere.
swimming, they have only a vestigial tail ​​and pleopods—
modified legs on their abdomen. Their abdomen and 3 Insult me all you want. I’m perfect as I am.
carapace are segmented, with each segment outlined in 4 Nothing can change my mind once I’ve made a decision.
dark green or yellow. The rest of the body can be any 5 I rarely speak, but when I do, everyone should listen.
number of colors; while the mant-i aren’t flamboyant by 6 Shell-less creatures look so fragile it makes me want to protect
nature, they certainly are in appearance. them. Or eat them.

Mant-i Traits Ideals

You have the following racial traits. d6 Ideal
Speed. Your walking speed is 30 feet. Your swimming 1 Aspiration. I’m determined to better myself, whether physically
or mentally. (Any)
speed is 40 feet.
2 Tradition. The stories, legends, and teachings of the past must
Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 120 feet of never be forgotten. (Lawful)
you as if it were in bright light, and in darkness as if
3 Equality. Other species deserve to be treated with dignity and
it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, respect. (Good)
only shades of gray. As your vision is adapted for 4 Greed. I’m strong and I can take what I want, when I want it. (Evil)
water, you can see the color blue at any depth.
5 Freedom. Everyone should be free to pursue their dreams and
Fast Strike. You have advantage on attack rolls against ambitions. (Chaotic)
a creature that is surprised. 6 Logic. Feelings must not cloud our sense of what is right and true,
Shockwave. Mant-i can strike so quickly they superheat or our logical thinking. (Lawful)
what they come in contact with. Starting at 5th level,
when you hit an enemy with a melee weapon attack, Bonds
the target must succeed on a Constitution saving
d6 Bond
throw or take 1d6 fire damage. The DC for this
saving throw equals 8 + your Strength modifier + your 1 I seek to uncover new, unknown knowledge.
proficiency bonus. This damage increases to 1d8 at 2 I once killed without thought or reason, now I always think twice
before a final strike.
11th level, and to 1d10 at 17th level.
Trinocular Vision. You have proficiency in the 3 I’ll work to prove that decapodians are the best, strongest species.
Perception skill. Additionally, your proficiency bonus 4 I have never known love, but I desire to.
is doubled for any ability check you make with the 5 We can’t change fate; we can only survive it.
Perception skill. 6 Someone saved my life in battle. To this day, I’ll never leave a
compatriot behind.

Roleplaying Decapodians
Flaws
d6 Flaw
Neither ‘ula’ula or mant-i are particularly talkative and
many would consider them both taciturn. However, the 1 I’m self-important and overly dramatic.
‘ula’ula in particular welcome intellectual discourse; the 2 I’m convinced no one could possibly fool me.
loftier the topic, the better. They appreciate poetry, art, 3 If someone seems smarter or stronger than me, I belittle them.
and like to engage in meditation. Mant-i respect those 4 I find it hard to trust in those outside my species.
that can best them in battle and who don’t back down 5 I don’t understand what secrets are.
from confrontation. 6 I’d rather eat my own shell than admit I’m wrong.

8 Chapter 1: Player Options