Sea Spawn

Many of the stories sung as sea chanteys and recounted in dockside taverns tell of people lost to the sea--but not merely drowned and gone. Some unfortunates taken by the ocean live on as sea spawn, haunting the waves like tortured reflections of their former selves. Coral encrusts them. Barnacles cling to their cold skin. Lungs that once filled with air can now breathe in water as well.

Tales provide myriad reasons for these strange transformations. Folklore warns against falling in love with a sea elf or merfolk, braving storms in hopes of a bounteous catch, and promising your heart to a sea god. Such cautionary tales disguise the deeper truth: things lurking beneath the waves strive to claim the hearts and minds of land dwellers.

Krakens, morkoths, sea hags, marids, storm giants, dragon turtles--all of these and more can mark mortals as their own and claim them as minions. Unlucky folk might become beholden to such a master through a bleak bargain, or they might find themselves cursed by one. Once warped into a fishlike form, a sea spawn can't leave the water for long without courting death.

Sea spawn come in a wide variety of forms. An individual might have a tentacle for an arm, the jaws of a shark, a sea urchin's spines, a whale's fin, octopus eyes, seaweed hair, or any combination of such qualities. Some of these piscine body parts provide them with special abilities.

Sea Spawn

Medium monstrosity, Typically Neutral Evil

  • Armor Class 11 (natural armor)
  • Hit Points 32 (5d8 + 10)
  • Speed 20 ft., swim 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
15 (+2) 8 (-1) 15 (+2) 6 (-2) 10 (+0) 8 (-1)
  • Proficiency Bonus +2
  • Saving Throws
  • Damage Vulnerabilities
  • Damage Resistances
  • Damage Immunities
  • Condition Immunities
  • Skills
  • Senses darkvision 120 ft.,passive Perception 10
  • Languages understands Aquan and Common but can't speak
  • Challenge 1

Limited Amphibiousness. The sea spawn can breathe air and water, but it needs to be submerged in the sea at least once a day for 1 minute to avoid suffocating.

Actions

Multiattack. The sea spawn makes two Unarmed Strike attacks and one Piscine Anatomy attack.

Unarmed Strike. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) bludgeoning damage.

Piscine Anatomy. The sea spawn uses one of the following options (choose one or roll a d6): * 1-2: Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage. * 3-4: Poison Quills. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 3 (1d6) poison damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. * 5-6: Tentacle. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) bludgeoning damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 12) if it is a Medium or smaller creature. Until this grapple ends, the sea spawn can't use this tentacle on another target.