The Obari Reach is full of foreigners, travelers, and settlers from all over The World, so players can choose any race they like. I'd just ask that you pick a race that fits within the pirate genre. For instance, the following would not be fun:
Known derisively as "Underfoots," Beach Halflings can be found in tiny island communities or anywhere there is a port and people. Sunburned and dreadlocked entrepreneurs, Underfoots occupy the same outsider niche as Romani people in Europe. Humans and dwarfs often mistrust Beach Halflings, because even in D&D people are racist AF.
Use the Lightfoot halfling rules.
Also known as "sea elves" or "the Eladros," aquatic elves live in small hidden undersea communities throughout the Reach and in grand luminescent cities in their home territory of the Eladros Waters. Sea elves are an unusual sight and draw attention from surface dwellers, but they are not commonly feared like sahuagin or misunderstood like merfolk. Sea elves are incredibly hardy, able to withstand crushing depths.
- Drow - You will melt
- Aasimar - You will stick out
- Aaracokra - You are OP; get out of here with that shit
- Any monster race - You will be murdered
- Warforged - You will sink
If you do want to play a race that would be found living on the islands of the Reach, you can choose:
Humans
Use the variant Human rules in the Player's Handbook.
Korynthian - As citizens of a diverse sprawling nautical empire, Korynthians are a nationality rather than an ethnicity. The ruling majority hail from the main kingdom of Korynth, which is famed for its scholars, poets, and swordplay. A sophisticated and worldly people, Korynthians value the art and culture of other races and often intermarry as they establish new colonies overseas. Think Spanish musketeers.
Chelaxian - Rivals to the Korynthians, the people of Chelaxia are famous artists, merchants, and warriors. They live in a caste system governed by the Code, an expansive series of rules that every Chelaxian internalizes. Chelaxians are famous spice and slave traders. Think Persian/Ottoman.
Obari - Dark-skinned humans with a rich culture who come from the tropical sub-continent of Obari. The Obari tribes were driven out of the jungle by an undead plague years ago, and now their culture is centered around the vibrant port of Mezoa Town. They wear light, vibrant clothing and are renowned practitioners of witchcraft.
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| Korynthian, Obari, and Chelaxian males |
Cliff Dwarves
The descendants of brave dwarven mariners, cliff dwarves live inside seaside cliffs and in seastack colonies like the Thorgrim Stacks, where they mine minerals for export. These salty, solid dwarves are excellent builders, climbers, and mariners - the only of their kind comfortable in a boat.
Use the Hill Dwarf rules, but PC can choose Vehicles (water) instead of a tool.
Use the Hill Dwarf rules, but PC can choose Vehicles (water) instead of a tool.
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| Hipster crossfit dwarf |
Beach Halflings
Use the Lightfoot halfling rules.
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| A beach halfling |
Aquatic Elves
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| Pew pew pew! |
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution
score increases by 1.
Sea Elf Weapon Training. You have
proficiency with the spear, trident, light
crossbow, and net.
Child of the Sea. You have a swimming speed
of 30 feet, and you can breathe air and water.
Friend of the Sea. Using gestures and sounds,
you can communicate simple ideas with Small or
smaller beasts that have an inborn swimming
speed.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write
Aquan.