Voda

Vodas are a race of amphibious shapeshifting humanoids native to the Seas of Vodari setting for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. They're basically Zoras with the ability to disguise themselves as other humanoids. They keep their existence a secret from the surface world, dwelling in communities built into coral reefs through the world, but are also fascinated by their neighbors, and often use their shapeshifting ability to walk amongst them, even becoming adventurers.

Official Lore

Vodas are an amphibious people who primarily live in underwater communities in coral reefs along the coasts of the southern islands and colonies. Their close proximity to other settlements and the curious nature of the vodas has brought them into contact with the surface world. They often use their innate shapeshifting to hide among surface dwellers and protect knowledge of their existence.

Vodas are an amphibious humanoid species, as comfortable underwater as on land. They have dark-colored eyes, head-tresses, and webbed hands and feet. The coloration of their rubbery skin varies from bright blue to deep purple. They are similar in height to humans on average, ranging from 5 to 6 feet tall. Due to the fluidity of their bodies, they have the ability to naturally shapeshift. They generally keep their own form while amongst themselves. While above the waves, they prefer to hide their true appearance and take the form of one of the many land-dwelling peoples.

The Godwar created great destruction above and below the waves. In the aftermath, massive coral reefs grew on the ruins of the old world, in the coastal shallows surrounding the southern islands. Over the centuries, scattered settlements of voda survivors thrived. Vodas hid themselves and their spired cities in the massive coral reefs, often only miles away from a busy port city. Living so close to the surface world also kept them out of the age-old conflicts facing other undersea peoples, such as the elves and sahuagin. They have no desire for conquest and war, but they bravely defend their lands when threatened.

Vodas care deeply for others, hating to see anyone suffer. This natural empathy comes in part from their limited ability to sense emotions through their head-tresses. While vodas are good-natured, they love to play harmless tricks or take the form of new people they meet. They fight tooth and fin when those they care about are in danger. They are also natural explorers who treasure the freedom to live life as they wish. Most vodas only ask the world to provide carefree days to find new ruins to explore and currents to ride.

Every voda has a given name and a family name that combines the first names of their parents. Vodas care deeply about the coral reefs where they live. The root of most voda names draw from local features, plants, and animals found in their underwater home.

Male Names: Aqilus, Caol, Kai, Nerio, Ondo, Salas, Sedor, Shoali, Tsunis, Typhi

Female Names: Amaria, Anosa, Corali, Cyraeni, Marea, Neresi, Nyissa, Selina, Soli, Tsuna

Most vodas visit the surface world at least a few times in their lives. The busy port cities call to vodas, drawing most to venture onto dry land out of curiosity, for trade, and just to have fun. The most audacious and daring vodas often become adventurers, to see and experience all that surface world has to offer.

PC Stats

Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 2 and your Dexterity increases by 1.

Age. A voda reaches adulthood at the age of 20 and can live up to 200 years.

Alignment. Vodas are almost always good, and embrace the chaos of the world. They value the freedom to live however they like, and dislike excessive rules and laws.

Size. Vodas are about the same size as humans, but relatively slighter. Your size is Medium.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet. You have a swimming speed of 30 feet.

Amphibious. You can breathe air and water.

Shapeshifting. As an action, you can shapeshift into a creature that you have seen before that is Medium-sized and humanoid shaped. You can revert back to your natural appearance as an action, and you automatically do so if you are unconscious. While transformed, you retain your statistics and don’t gain any of the creature’s traits. Any equipment you are wearing or carrying isn’t transformed. In addition, you have advantage on any Charisma (Deception) check you make to avoid detection.

Empathic. You have proficiency in the Insight skill. In addition, while you’re in your true form and not shapeshifting, you have advantage on Wisdom (Insight) checks.

Language. You can speak, read, and write Common and Primordial.