Gargoyle (5e Race)
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Gargoyle[edit]
Physical Description[edit]
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| From Gargoyles (1994) |
Gargoyles are often large, usually grotesque statues carved out of stone, marble, or other solid earthen materials. Their specific details are down to the carver or creator of the creature with styles coming and going. Nowadays, demons, beasts, imps, and hags are the most commonplace with a handful in forms such as animals or people (usually deities or heroes). An extremely rare few look like angels or cherubs instead of grotesque creatures and these are more commonly accepted by other races but disrespected by their own kind. Almost all gargoyles have a pair of wings, large or small, and some form of horns. Depending on the creature's age they might also show signs of weathering such as small cracks or plants growing around their bodies.
History[edit]
Gargoyles first came into being during the archaic age due to the experimentations of magic - specifically dark magic. Powerful warlocks and wizards carved creatures from stone and imbued them with enchantments and curses to bring them to life. Since then, the number of gargoyles being carved has reduced drastically yet somehow they still appear to be growing in numbers by themselves. How is unknown. Over time, different styles and types of gargoyles have become popular which creates a wide diversity of the creatures today. Whilst seen as familiars or pets in the past, they have now taken to their own way of life. This usually involves finding a certain area or building and acting like a statue to fool passersby. They seem to find this extremely amusing and are now so taken to it that they extremely dislike being ordered or controlled like they once were.
Society[edit]
In general, gargoyles are quite solitary and rarely communicate or travel with others. They sometimes form fearsome groups called “wings” for protection and sport. In certain conditions, a tribe of gargoyles might even ally with other creatures, but even the most stable alliances with a gargoyle tribe can collapse for the smallest of reasons—gargoyles are nothing if not grudge-bearing, overprotective, and vindictive. Gargoyles have been known to dwell in the heart of the largest of cities, crouching amid the decorations of stone cathedrals and buildings where they hide in plain sight by day and swoop down to feed on vagabonds, beggars, and other unfortunates at night.
The longer a tribe of gargoyles abides in a region of ruins or buildings, the more its members come to resemble that region’s architectural styles. The changes a gargoyle’s appearance undergoes are slow and subtle, but over the course of years, it can shift radically.
Gargoyle Names[edit]
Gargoyles' names are usually general human names at the time of carving, perhaps taken from their creator. However, a lot also prefer to use old, archaic names taken from their homeland and roots.
Male: Claw, Coldstone, Griff, Leo, Stagheart, Pog, Talon
Female: Duula, Esteru, Hester, Kuonu, Jade, Oestra, Ophelia, Seestra, Uovana, Una
Gargoyle Traits[edit]
Grotesque constructs carved from stone.
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 1.
Age. Gargoyles can live for as long as their stone bodies remain intact. Weathering or erosion can reduce lifespan.
Alignment. Gargoyles tend to be either civilized (neutral) or mischievous (chaotic). They can be good, neutral or evil but most are evil and some are neutral.
Size. Your size is Medium.
Speed. You have a walking 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.
Flight. You have a flying speed of 30 feet. To use this speed, you can’t be wearing medium or heavy armor.
Stone Skin. Being made of stone, your skin is extremely resilient. While you are not wearing armor, your Armor Class equals 12 + your Dexterity modifier. You can't use this feature if you're wearing armor.
False Appearance. While you remain motionless, you are indistinguishable from an inanimate statue of a gargoyle. You must maintain concentration during that time as if you were casting a spell.
Elemental Nature. A gargoyle doesn't require air, food, drink, or sleep. Instead of sleeping they meditate deeply, remaining semiconscious, for 4 hours a day. While meditating, you can dream after a fashion; such dreams are actually mental exercises that have become reflexive through years of practice. After resting in this way, you gain the same benefit that a human does from 8 hours of sleep. While gargoyles don't need to eat, many evil gargoyles have become addicted to eating the flesh of creatures they have killed and can become very mentally unstable without eating for a few days.
Languages. You can speak, read and write Common and Terran.
Subrace. Gargoyles subraces are generally defined by what they are made of - There are five common types.
Subraces[edit]
Amber[edit]
These ancient gargoyles were crafted by the High Elves to decorate their buildings and temples. The gargoyles were brought to life because of the mass use of arcane magics within the High Elf's cities. These gargoyles tend to enjoy watching the world of mortals and are uninterested in interfering with their daily lives. These gargoyles have lived a long time and seen much, they have persisted through more than most could even imagine, weathering the darkest storms and the bitterest winds, and so even the weakest points on their body are hardened and nigh-unbreakable.
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 1.
Ancient Body. Your toughened joints grant you resistance to your choice of piercing, slashing, or bludgeoning damage from nonmagical attacks.
Granite[edit]
The most common of gargoyles, they may not be the brightest, but they know how to survive in a world that rejects them. These gargoyles have witnessed things that other creatures can only dream of, and they have seen more than almost any other being, yet their minds are still sharp and clean.
Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by 1.
Ancient Wisdom. You have advantage on Wisdom(History) checks.
Obsidian[edit]
Gargoyles created for evil means by dark forces, obsidian gargoyles are often used as guards to strongholds of dark wizards. They love to inflict pain upon their prey before they consume them.
Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score increases by 1.
Negative Aligned. Obsidian gargoyles pulse with negative energy, giving them resistance to necrotic damage.
Dark Pulse. You can cast the chill touch cantrip as an action. When you cast it using this feature, the spell has a range of 5 feet instead of 120 feet, and you make a melee spell attack against the target rather than a ranged spell attack. Once you reach 5th level, you can cast the vampiric touch spell as a 3rd-level spell, and may cast it as a reaction when either a creature you can see within range hits you with an attack or you use the Attack action. Once you have cast the vampiric touch spell using this feature, you can't cast it using this feature again until you finish a long rest. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Opal[edit]
Created to be holy statues that stand guard at ancient tombs to prevent them from being disrupted, opal gargoyles do not like people disturbing them and especially don't like thieves that would desecrate the tomb they guard.
Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 1.
Positive Aligned. The body of an Opal gargoyle flows with positive energy, giving them resistance to radiant damage.
Positive Flow. You know the sacred flame cantrip, and can cast the guiding bolt spell as a 1st level spell. Once you have cast the guiding bolt spell using this feature, you must finish a long rest before you can cast it again with this feature. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Gold[edit]
Like a legend which survives for aeons, the Gold Gargoyles were crafted on rare occasions by presumptuous magicians who wanted to assign them a special task. The Gold Gargoyles appear in the most unexpected places following their masters' last orders.
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Malleable Body. You can cast the alter self spell with this trait. Once you cast it, you can't cast it again until you finish a long rest. Dexterity is your spellcasting ability for this spell.
Random Height and Weight[edit]
| Base Height | Height Modifier | Base Weight | Weight Modifier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5′ 6″ | +1d12″ | 240 lb. | + (4d10) lb. |
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