Grippli

The Grippli are a race of polymorphic humanoids resembling large frogs that live primarily in the swamps surrounding the massive home tree called Dra'doga. A populous and diverse race, the Grippli people have done well for living in a world that is so exceptionally hostile.

Physiology
All Grippli outwardly resemble large bipedal frogs, with some scholars amongst the Grippli and other cultures speculating the race may find it's origin among the more common tree frog.

Mating seasons for the Grippli occur in Winter and Summer, after which time the eggs of the Grippli are left in spawning pools called Shi that are found beneath the home tree. Eggs incubate in the pools for about three weeks, after which the entirety of the brood hatches within a few days of one another.

Infant Grippli appear as small, aquatic tadpole creatures referred to as kedou. The kedou are attended to by specialized caretakers known as Kenzo'Ran during this time, who's role is to ensure the safe growth of as many kedou as possible into adult Grippli, and to select for factors in the pool that determine the growth and differentiation of the kedou into the numerous variants of Grippli.

The selection process conducted by the Kenzo'Ran causes a staggering degree of polymorphism amongst Grippli. Size can vary from as great as the 8 foot tall Noble Grippli, the Kifala, to as diminutive as the 2 foot tall bioluminescent Chawi. Despite these differences in physical traits, each Grippli is also branded with a mark from the ponds of Dra'doga particular to their spawning pool, and Grippli sharing these markings experience a kinship not unlike the siblinghood of more other races.

Culture
The role of Grippli in society is decided by priests of Drasil. There are three houses in Grippli culture, that of Drasil, Ebb, and Flow. Drasil is the highest house, looking over all other houses and groups. Their primary focus is that of farming and agriculture. Most Grippli farmers under the house of Drasil maintain large farms of giant crabs. House of the priests of Ebb take more of an artisan role in Grippli culture, being crafters and musicians. House of the priests of Flow represent strength in the Grippli culture, being their defensive force, protecting the tree from outsiders and fearsome monsters.

Older Grippli can only survive by taking the life of another Grippli. High priests of Drasil say that a person is so important that they are willing to sacrifice the lives of Grippli who are to be born to ensure that that person is able to persist in their work. Determined by council, publicly announced, egg is absorbed back into tree, ceremony occurs that continues the life of the Grippli for another fifteen years.

Universal Grippli Statistics
Ability Score Increase: +2 charisma

Age: 10-15 years to reach maturity, living until 70 years unless granted continuation of their work (up to a maximum of 220 years, granted they receive all 5 30-year extensions)

Alignment: any, although many are True Neutral

Size: varies, see subrace

Speed: varies, see subrace

Vision: all Grippli have low light vision

Other Traits universal to the race:

Croak: treat as message, but specific to Grippli race only. Must be a vocal action, and has a range of 100 ft.

Weapon proficiencies: All Grippli have an innate understanding of nets, blowguns, tridents, and rapiers, and may use these regardless of class.

Charismatic and agile: Grippli have advantage on all Dexterity and Charisma saving throws.

Frog ancestry: Grippli have an increased swim speed of +10 ft, and this increases to +20 ft if swimming through a marsh landscape.

Languages: Common, Grippli

Subraces: Note that there are 5 here

Noble Grippli (Kifala)
Size: Kifala are increased to size Large, gaining all traits of a large character

Ability score increase: +1 constitution

Big boned: being larger and hefty creatures, Kifala gain an additional HP per level

Noble lineage: being of higher class, all Kifala gain advantage on saving throws against being frightened

Warrior Grippli (Shuj)
Size: Shuj are medium sized creatures

Ability score increase: +1 strength

Boisterous Command: Shuj gain a shouting weapon, cone - range of 15 ft, dealing sonic damage (save dex for half damage) scaling as a Dragonborn Breath weapon

innate warriors: Shuj start with the ability to use medium armor, regardless of class

Tree Grippli (Fanka)
Size: Fanka are decreased to size small, gaining all traits of a small character

Ability score increase: +2 dexterity

Tree dwellers: Fanka have a natural talent for scaling trees, gaining +10 ft climb speed

Prehensile tongue:  Fanka have more malleable tongues, being able to use it as a third limb, treated as mage hand cantrip - range limited to 10 ft

Dart Grippli (Mua)
Size: Mua are medium sized creatures

Ability score increase: +1 dexterity

Poison spitter: Mua are granted a poison shot as a breath weapon, line - 30 ft, dealing acid damage (save dex for half damage) scaling as a Dragonborn Breath weapon

Light-footed: Mua gain an increase +5 walking speed

Part-poison: Mua gain advantage on saving throws against poisons, and have resistance against poison damage

Luminescent Grippli (Chawi)
Size: Chawi are decreased to size small, gaining all traits of a small character

Ability score increase: +2 wisdom

Sneaky: Chawi are able to use a stealth check with disadvantage, only if the creature obscuring them are of one size larger

Glowing complexion: Chawi are luminescent in nature, being able to at will produce a faint glow from their backs. treated as a light cantrip