Gorgon

A sizable race of serpent-like monsters that have lived deep within the cavernous homes that make up the northern mountains if Sigom. It may have been that at one point they were a peaceful race, devoted to living a simple life - However many saw them not as an intelligent race, but a horde of creatures with proficient hunting skills. Since their origination they have been hunted and preyed upon to the wills of would-be adventurers and trophy hunters who would tell grim stories of their deathly gaze. Those who knew how to fight and survive lived on, seeking shelter within caves and sprawling caverns along mountainous terrain.

Physical Description

Gorgons are generally humanoid-shaped with several unique features. Their hair is replaced with a group of individual snakes, who are usually venomous. These snakes have a collective consciousness that is separate from the Gorgon, yet can imitate their feelings or expressions. The snakes live as long as the Gorgon, however if they are severed or injured enough they can die individually, and do not grow back. Their skin colors vary wildly - generally depending on the color of the parents. The most common are vibrant green, purple, red, and blue. Most Gorgons have humanoid legs and feet, but this is a new physical trait, as they historically always had a serpentine tail.

Society

Gorgon society largely operates on strict cycles and routines, with many early ones always being on the watch, ready to flee at a moments notice. Material possessions were often limited to what you could carry on you, as you had no time to grab essentials at the sign of danger - You were either expected to head to a coordinated escape route or stand ground with everyone else. These traditions are old, and many of not all communities that survive today still practice them, despite the threat of danger being a very rare circumstance for most. Their laws are constantly being modified, altering to current events and even form plans for situations that may affect the community. While foreigners are allowed to emigrate to their communities, without a commendable deed from the community, they would not be considered free citizens.

Mechanical Information

Gorgon

Ability Score Increase +2 Dex, +1 Int

Size Medium

Speed 30'

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Age: They reach adulthood at 40 Years, and live up to 355 Years.
Alignment: Gorgons see each other as equal, but often acting pity towards others, needing to prove their worth. Many have a petty or selfish outlook, though Gorgons raised outside of their society are often filled with more compassion and understanding. They see social structures and systems as a useful means to achieve their goals, they generally lean towards a lawful evil path.
Size: Gorgons can stand around 5' to 6' tall, normally on the taller side.
Language: They can speak, read, and write Sileenian. Most can also speak, read, and write Sardassian as it is mutually intelligible.

Racial Traits

Darkvision: You can see up to 60' in the dark, and double that in dim light. They can only see different shades of gray in both these lights.
Toxic Monstrosity: Your creature type is both humanoid and monstrosity.
Toxic Resistance: You gain resistance against toxic damage.
Toxic Claws: Your scaly claws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal toxic damage equal to 1d4 + your Constitution modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.
Petrifying Gaze: You can use your action to focus your gaze on one creature whose eyes you can see within 60 feet of you. The creature must make a Constitution saving throw or be restrained while you maintain eye contact with it. The creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on a success. The DC for this saving throw is equal to 8 + your Constitution modifier + your proficiency bonus. After you use your gaze attack, you can't use it again until you complete a long rest. Unless surprised, a creature can avert its eyes to avoid the saving throw at the start of its turn. If the creature does so, it can't see the Gorgon until the start of its next turn, when it can avert its eyes again. If the creature looks at the medusa in the meantime, it must immediately make the save. Starting at third level, if the creature accumulates three failed saving throws against this effect it becomes petrified. The petrification lasts until the creature is freed by powerful abberaturgy. At 5th level you can use this ability 3 times. You regain all 3 usages after a long rest, or 1 usage after a short rest.

Gorgon Thief

A female Gorgon theif

Gorgon Warrior

A female Gorgon warrior in Heavy Armor

Artwork done by Spruffle

Type: Monstrosity (Humanoid)
Origin Planet: Sigom
Governments:
Sileen Alliance
Sileen Royalists
Demonym: Gorgons
Random Starting Age
Teenager: 20 + 1d20
Young Adult: 40 + 2d20
Adult: 80 + 3d20
Random Starting Height
Short: 4'6" + 1d12 "
Average: 5'6" + 1d12 "
Tall: 6'6" + 1d12 "