Jellyfolk
The Jellyfolk are one of the most vital and respected races of the UnderDeep, the immense oceanic world hidden beneath the crust. In their natural aquatic form, they resemble humanoid jellyfish, translucent bodies drifting through the water, limbs flowing like tendrils, and bell-shaped heads glowing with soft internal currents. Like all UnderDeep races, Jellyfolk possess dual states of being: underwater they glide without legs, but upon emerging into air their bodies reshape, forming gelatinous legs and a rippling, jellyfish-like headpiece that rests atop their new form like a living hat. Their bodies remain semi-translucent unless the Jellyfolk chooses otherwise. Many retain their clear, glowing forms as a mark of heritage, while others adopt flesh-like pigmentation or illusions when living among surface-dwellers to blend in more comfortably.
Their natural transparency reveals soft pulses of bioluminescence and arcs of bioelectricity beneath the surface of their skin. These internal charges are not merely biological quirks, they are the foundation of UnderDeep civilization. Jellyfolk serve as the primary powerkeepers of the Noble Cities, vast underwater settlements built into the warm currents and illuminated caverns. Through carefully synchronized electrical pulses, Jellyfolk generate, regulate, and stabilize the energy that fuels these cities: the lights lining their streets, the barriers protecting them from predators, the heating systems that keep the coldest depths liveable, and the communication currents that allow messages to pass between houses.
In the deepest trench villages, isolated along volcanic ridges or ancient fissures, Jellyfolk hold an even more essential role. These communities rely entirely on their electrical abilities to keep their homes illuminated and warm. Without them, a trench settlement would quickly fall into darkness, silence, and cold. Thus, Jellyfolk in the trenches often rise into leadership positions with titles such as; Princes, Princesses, Glow-wardens, or Pulse-speakers, respected not only for their power, but for the responsibility they bear toward the survival of their people. Their leadership is viewed as a sacred duty rather than a privilege.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Size: Your amorphous form allows you to compress and stretch. You are Small or Medium (your choice at character creation). You may squeeze through spaces as if you were one size smaller.
Speed: You have a 30 walking speed and a swim speed equal to your walk speed
Electrical Body: Jellyfolk possess a natural reservoir of bioelectric energy within their translucent bodies. Beginning at 1st level, you can use this energy to cast Witch Bolt once per long rest. Constitution is your spellcasting ability for this spell.
At 5th level, you can release a more powerful surge of this internal charge. With this trait, you can cast lightning bolt once per long rest, using Constitution as your spellcasting ability. Once you use this trait, you cannot cast either witch bolt or lightning bolt with it again until you finish a long rest.
Jelly Body: Your body is soft, gelatinous, and shock-absorbent. You gain the following benefits;
- You have resistance to slashing damage.
- You have advantage on ability checks to escape grapples or restraints.
- You can move through a space as narrow as 6 inches wide without squeezing, though doing so leaves a faint bioluminescent smear and your movement speed becomes 5 ft for that move.
Locations; The cities within the UnderDeep
Ability Score Options;
- Con +3
- Any +1; Any +2
- Any +1; Any +1; Any +1
Lifespan
Jellyfolk mature quickly, reaching adulthood by the age of 10. Their natural longevity varies greatly depending on their environment and the stability of their internal bioelectric currents. Some live only 60 years, while others endure for several centuri
Average Height
Jellyfolk vary widely in stature, ranging from about 2 feet to 8 feet tall depending on their development and environment.
Comments