The Gulkin

As Playable Race or Monster

The Gullkin race traces its origins to a remote coastal region where seagulls and goblins coexisted. Long ago, a powerful enchantment was cast upon this region, blending the essence of seagulls and goblins. The result was the creation of the Gullkin, a peculiar hybrid race embodying the traits of both species.

In the early days, Gullkins struggled to find their place in the world. Initially regarded as outcasts and abominations, they were often shunned by both seagulls and goblins alike. However, their natural resilience and adaptability helped them carve out a niche for themselves.

With time, Gullkins discovered their uncanny ability to scavenge and find valuable items amidst the discarded refuse of human settlements. They developed a deep affinity for shiny objects and rubbish, delighting in finding hidden treasures within the trash heaps. Gullkins became experts in identifying valuable trinkets and became renowned for their keen perception when it came to spotting hidden gems in the rubbish.

As generations passed, Gullkins formed close-knit communities near coastal areas, establishing their own distinctive culture. They developed a unique language, combining goblin phrases with seagull-like squawks and chirps. Their society revolved around their shared love for scavenging, with communal gatherings held to display their latest discoveries.

Gullkins became skilled in flight, using their wings to glide effortlessly over shorelines and cliffs, enabling them to swiftly navigate their scavenging grounds. Their bird-like talons allowed them to manipulate objects with dexterity, making them highly efficient at rummaging through rubbish in search of valuable finds.

Over time, Gullkins gained a reputation as cunning opportunists, known for their resourcefulness and clever tactics. While some still regard them as pesky thieves or nuisances, others recognize their unique abilities and appreciate their contributions as gatherers of lost or forgotten treasures.

To this day, Gullkins continue to dwell near coastal regions, their communities built among the discarded remnants of human settlements. They retain their innate fascination with rubbish and shiny objects, passing down their scavenging skills and lore from one generation to the next. Despite their humble origins, Gullkins take pride in their distinctive culture and their ability to find value where others see only waste.

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Gulkin Stat Block

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Monster Name: Gullkin

Description: The Gullkin is a peculiar hybrid creature, resembling a cross between a seagull and a goblin. Its body is primarily that of a seagull, covered in white feathers with shades of gray. However, it has a small, hunched humanoid frame akin to a goblin. The Gullkin’s beak is sharp and hooked, and its eyes possess a mischievous glint. It has two wings extending from its back, enabling limited flight, and its two arms end in bird-like talons. Its legs remain goblin-like, allowing it to walk upright or hop along the ground.

Habitat: Gullkins are drawn to coastal areas, thriving near shores, cliffs, and docks where they have access to a bountiful supply of discarded items. They are often found in large numbers near human settlements, scavenging through rubbish bins, trash heaps, and any other place they can find discarded treasures.

Stats:

• AC: 13 (Natural Armor)
• HP: 27 (6d6 + 6)
• Speed: 20 ft., fly 30 ft.
• STR: 8 (-1)
• DEX: 16 (+3)
• CON: 12 (+1)
• INT: 10 (+0)
• WIS: 12 (+1)
• CHA: 8 (-1)
• Skills: Perception +3, Stealth +5
• Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13
• Languages: Goblin
• Challenge: 1/2 (100 XP)

Attacks and Specials:

• Beak: Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage.
• Scavenger’s Eye: The Gullkin has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks related to finding and identifying discarded items or food.
• Flyby: The Gullkin doesn’t provoke an opportunity attack when it flies out of an enemy’s reach.
• Trash Obsession: Gullkins are fascinated with rubbish and shiny objects. If a creature offers or drops a small, shiny trinket or piece of trash, the Gullkin will be distracted, spending its next turn examining or picking up the item, disregarding other actions.

Tactics: Gullkins are opportunistic scavengers, and their combat tactics reflect their inclination to seek food and treasure. They prefer to swoop in from above, using their Flyby ability to make hit-and-run attacks with their beaks. They are not particularly brave fighters and will often flee if their adversaries prove too formidable. In combat, they focus on weaker targets, attempting to incapacitate them with their beaks before snatching up any shiny objects that catch their attention.

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Gulkin as a Playable Race

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Gulkin Traits

*Ability Score Increase: Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1.

*Age: Gullkins mature at a slightly faster rate than humans, reaching adulthood around the age of 12. They have a natural lifespan of around 60 years.

*Alignment: Gullkins’ alignment varies greatly, influenced by their individual experiences and the communities they grow up in. They can lean towards chaotic tendencies due to their love of mischief and fascination with shiny objects.

*Size: Gullkins stand between 4 and 5 feet tall. Your size is Medium.

*Speed: Your base walking speed is 30 feet. You have a fly speed of 30 feet.

*Darkvision: Thanks to your goblin heritage, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. 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.

*Seaside Expertise: You have proficiency in the Perception skill. Additionally, you have proficiency with the Thieves’ Tools.

*Trash Obsession: You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks made to find or identify valuable or shiny objects among rubbish or discarded items.

*Bird-like Talons: You have talons as hands, granting you natural weapons. Your talons are natural melee weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Dexterity modifier.

*Languages: You can speak, read, and write Common, Goblin, and Seagull, a unique language that combines goblin phrases with seagull-like squawks and chirps.

Optional Subrace:

*Coastal Dweller: You can choose to be a Gullkin with a subrace associated with a specific coastal environment. Choose one of the following subraces:

1. Cliffsoar Gullkin

*Ability Score Increase: Your Wisdom score increases by 1.

*Flight: You have a flying speed of 30 feet. To use this speed, you can’t be wearing medium or heavy armor.

2. Shorewatch Gullkin

*Ability Score Increase: Your Constitution score increases by 1.

*Swimmer: You have a swimming speed of 30 feet, and you can breathe both air and water.

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Famous Gulkin

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1. Rufflebeak the Collector: Rufflebeak was a legendary Gullkin known for his unrivaled collection of shiny objects. He spent his entire life scouring coastlines, diving into dumpsters, and venturing into dangerous places to gather rare and valuable trinkets. His collection became the envy of Gullkin communities far and wide. Rufflebeak’s treasure trove included sparkling gems, ancient artifacts, and even a legendary golden spoon said to possess magical properties.
2. Maraudwing the Sky Pirate: Maraudwing was a notorious Gullkin pirate who took to the skies, terrorizing coastal cities and plundering merchant ships. With his crew of airborne Gullkins, he would swoop down from above, grabbing precious cargo and making a swift getaway. Maraudwing’s exploits became the stuff of legends, inspiring stories of daring aerial heists and unpredictable mischief.
3. Glimmerfeather the Sage: Glimmerfeather was a wise and scholarly Gullkin who dedicated her life to studying the history and cultures of coastal civilizations. She traveled far and wide, documenting forgotten tales and uncovering ancient relics. Glimmerfeather’s vast knowledge and unique insights helped bridge the gap between goblin and seagull cultures, fostering understanding and cooperation among diverse coastal communities.
4. Whiskertalon the Swift: Whiskertalon was a renowned Gullkin messenger, known for his incredible speed and unwavering dedication. He was entrusted with delivering urgent messages across vast coastal territories, navigating treacherous terrains and stormy seas with unmatched swiftness. Whiskertalon’s unwavering commitment to his duty and his ability to outfly any obstacle earned him the respect and admiration of Gullkins far and wide.
5. Fluttergaze the Seer: Fluttergaze was a Gullkin gifted with prophetic visions. Known as the “Eyes of the Coast,” she possessed the rare ability to glimpse into the future through the glimmers of sunlight on the waves. Fluttergaze’s prophecies, often cryptic and symbolic, guided coastal communities through challenging times and foretold significant events. Her wisdom and foresight made her a revered figure among Gullkins and other coastal races.

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The Land of The Gulkin

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The Land of the Gullkin is a picturesque coastal region where the beauty of the sea and the ruggedness of the land collide, and where discarded human refuse takes on new life and purpose.

Seafoam Cliffs

Description: Seafoam Cliffs is a sprawling shantytown, with Gullkin nests precariously perched on the edges of weathered cliffs. The nests are a patchwork of driftwood, rusty metal, and old rags. Multicolored banners, sewn together from tattered sails and bits of forgotten clothing, flap in the salty breeze.

Community: The largest Gullkin community in the Land of the Gullkin, Seafoam Cliffs, is a bustling haven of found treasures. The cliffs are alive with the clinking of scavenged trinkets, and the marketplaces are a chaotic jumble of mismatched stalls, selling anything from tarnished cutlery to chipped porcelain dolls. Dance festivals here are a wild whirlwind of music, laughter, and the occasional misplaced sandal.

Coral Haven

Description: Coral Haven floats above a once-forgotten coral reef, with huts made from washed-up wooden crates, fishing nets, and plastic bottles. The reef itself has become a tangled web of discarded fishing lines and sunken ship parts.

Community: Coral Haven is renowned for its seaweed farms, nurtured by water-filled old bathtubs and abandoned boats. They craft jewelry from broken fishing lures and colored glass scraps they find washed ashore. The community also maintains an underwater junkyard, hiding stolen treasures amid the debris.

Stormwatch Point

Description: Stormwatch Point is a windswept outpost of cobbled-together hovels and makeshift lookout posts. Gullkin here have taken refuge in discarded barrels and shipping crates, creating a labyrinthine landscape of salvaged materials.

Community: Stormwatch Point remains vigilant, using repurposed horns and bells to signal approaching danger. They take great pride in their collection of rusted weapons and maritime relics, believing them to be tokens of their fierce independence.

Mistwood Marshes

Description: Mistwood Marshes are a twisting maze of swampy waterways and mangrove forests, with ramshackle villages raised above the mud on stilts made from cast-off bridge beams and scrap metal.

Community: Mistwood Marshes are a mysterious and secluded realm of Gullkins who have perfected the art of camouflage with discarded netting and mossy growths. Their homes are furnished with treasures reclaimed from swampy shipwrecks and fallen debris.

Golden Sands Dunes

Description: The Golden Sands Dunes stretch under the relentless sun, with Gullkin homes sculpted from the sands themselves, held together by bits of broken beach chairs, sun-bleached driftwood, and the skeletons of buried treasure chests.

Community: Gullkins of the Golden Sands are known for their ability to craft elaborate sand sculptures using fragments of broken glass, worn-out plastic shovels, and forgotten sun hats. Their competitions leave behind a mosaic of recycled beach paraphernalia and hidden treasures.

The Land of the Gullkin is a place where the line between discarded trash and valued treasure blurs, and where coastal communities thrive amidst the flotsam and jetsam of the sea, turning castoffs into art and sustenance.

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