Uoreonghi colonies can be found in Thindol, Tashalar, and Chult.

In Thindol, they thrive in long grassland habitats and partner with the Gold Dwarves in the surrounding mountains to produce Potions of Blur. By supplementing the potions with Uoreonghi slime, the dwarves are able to produce mixtures of superior quality. Both communities profit from the sale and export of their potions. The Dwarves also battle alongside their Uoreonghi allies against the Kuo-toa serpent-folk native to the region. Because of generational potion-making knowledge and experience, Thindolan Uoreonghi tend to be proficient in arcana.

On the eastern side of the Lapal Sea of Tashalar are the Mhair Jungles. There, Uoreonghi colonies brew and export potent healing salves by mixing slime with the extract of rare bloodflowers. Snail-folk from this area tend to be especially adept with nature and medicine skills. A rare few are even able to learn the near-forgotten art of psionic magic. The aquatic colonies of the area make their living by harvesting and exporting cephalopod ink for use in dyes and cosmetics.

Deep in the swamps and jungles on the western end of the Chultan Peninsula, the snail-folk make their living trading with their Wild Dwarf allies. Thanks to their environment, these Uoreonghi benefit from a bolstered resistance to poison. Unfortunately, they are predated by reptiles and Leucochloridium parasites, which are endemic to their boggy ecosystem.

Uoreonghi have long eyestalks and a pair of smaller feelers on either side of their mouths. They have no teeth, but do possess a long, barbed tongue that shreds their food as they rasp over it. Their bodies are essentially one long, soft muscle lubricated by a natural mucus. Most of their organs are inside their shells, including the secretum sinum, a pouch-like organ in which Uoreonghi can store a small amount of food or other spare resources.

Uoreonghi have incredibly poor eyesight and limited hearing, but their senses of touch, smell, and taste are among the sharpest of any creature in any realm. They are naturally gifted with Keen Senses to grant them Blindsight up to a certain distance.

They are omnivorous, and prefer rotting or decomposing foods, but will eat just about anything. Because of their penchant for snacking on various mushrooms and, in the case of the aquatic subspecies, certain toxic prey, Uoreonghi are resistant to poison and often appear high or intoxicated.

Although their skin seems delicate, Uoreonghi are actually quite hardy. At a crawl, their muscle structure and natural lubrication allow them to navigate rough terrain and razor-sharp edges without injury.

In terms of appearance, Uoreonghi come in many colors and patterns. Their bodies are generally a single color gradient, with the darkest shades on the top of their heads and backs and the lightest on the bottom of their torsos. Shells can be solid colored, striped, spotted, ringed, or otherwise patterned in almost any way imaginable, depending on where they’re from. They often accentuate their shells with pigmented bonemeal paste, gems, and other bits and baubles they collect in their travels. Shell spirals are always on the right side except in exceedingly rare cases. Individuals with ;eft-spiraled shells, called Laoriphshesh, may be considered a blessing or a curse depending on the subrace and culture.

Uoreonghi are hermaphroditic and can choose to reproduce sexually or asexually. When seeking a mate, they will release pheromones and begin posturing: waving their eyestalks, bobbing and swaying their heads, lifting and stretching their tail, and rippling their foot. When a potential partner arrives, the pair will mirror each other in a dance. This allows them to size each other up, evaluate physical fitness, and gauge their attraction. If it’s a match, they will find a private, safe place to be alone. If not, the dance concludes with a bow and the pair respectfully go their own ways. Uoreonghi do not mate for life, but will remain paired until their eggs have hatched.

Uoreonghi are an egg-laying race and can incubate their fertilized eggs for periods of up to a year before digging a burrow and depositing their clutch when conditions are ideal. Once the eggs are deposited, the parent(s) will remain within a mile radius of the brood site, leaving a hormone-laced slime trail for the hatchlings to follow later.

Uoreonghi prefer temperate, moist, nutrient-rich soil for their eggs and will lay clutches of up to 1000 at a time, or about 700 if there is only one parent. At least half of these will not be viable. Vacant shells will be consumed by the hatchlings six weeks later, when they emerge from their eggs. Another 100 or so will be lost to predators like large insects or amphibians on their way to the surface and as they follow their parent(s)’ trail. Still more hatchlings, usually around half of those remaining, will suffer some kind of terminal health complication or defect. With so many offspring, malformations are commonplace. For this reason, Uoreonghi are only considered “born” once they have lived through their first week.

Once rejoined, the hatchlings will climb onto their parent(s)’ shell(s) and estivate there for the first week of their lives, recovering from the intense energy expenditure of the hatching process and rasping at the parent(s)’ shell(s) for calcium to help thicken their own. The parent(s) will have to take in excess calcium during this time to accommodate the demand. For this reason, bone meal is commonly gifted to expecting Uoreonghi parents in preparation for their brood.

After the hatchlings have found purchase on the parent(s)’ shell(s), the adults will part ways and raise their brood (or half of it) independently. When the hatchlings have completed their estivation, they will continue to travel on their parent’s shell for about six months, coming down only to eat or relieve themselves as they build strength and grow.

Over their first six months of life, Uoreonghi will be gradually shell-weaned until they are able to travel under their own power. Juvenile Uoreonghi are almost totally dependent on their parent until they are five years old. From ages 5-10, young Uoreonghi undergo their primary education and learn basic skills. From ages 10-15, they receive secondary education, seek mentorships, and begin developing a greater sense of independence. From 15-20, Uoreonghi complete their education, enter the final stages of their mentorships, and begin to consider what sort of life they’d like to lead.

Education & Mentorship

Primary education in Uoreonghi colonies typically consists of core concepts like introductory math, science, and plant identification. It also encompasses simple life skills and introduces other races and cultures. Uoreonghi are often community oriented and choose to live out their lives in a colony village, but many do take up a nomadic lifestyle. Understanding other languages and cultures helps them get by safely in a world where most everything else is much faster than they are.

Secondary education expounds upon the foundations of Uoreonghi primary schooling, but allows whorl-lings (teenage Uoreonghi) to explore mentorships with different members of their colonies and begin to consider how they might one day serve their community.

In Ironclad colonies, there is a particular emphasis on battle strategy and tactics, owing to their longstanding warrior culture traditions.

At age 20, Uoreonghi are honored with a rite of passage called “Chashe Pholishhingh,” or Shell Shining. Their friends and family will help polish and wax their shell and adorn it with flowers and gems, and paint bone meal paste patterns onto it. Or, in aquatic colonies, corals, seashells, and The colony’s Council of Elders will welcome them as full community members and their mentor will make a speech commending their journey so far. The ceremony concludes with dancing and feasting.

In Ironclad colonies, there is an equivalent ceremony called “Waor Adanche,” or War Dance. The young adult Uoreonghi have their shells decorated with shards of sea glass, fish bones, and other sharp or jagged adornments held in place with thick smears of a mud and slime concoction known as “phashthe,” a waterproof paste that erodes over a period of several days. The colony’s Council of Elders will engage them in a simulated battle, not unlike the Māori Haka, after which the young adults’ performances are evaluated. Successful dancers will be welcomed as full community members while unsuccessful ones will have to train another year before they can try again. The ceremony concludes with dancing and feasting.

Laoriphshesh

Very rarely, an Uoreonghi will be born with a shell that spirals on the left side rather than the right. These individuals are called Laoriphshesh. In most Uoreonghi cultures a colony will welcome a Laoriphsh and consider them blessed by the gods. 

As explained earlier, Uoreonghi can either co-inseminate or self-inseminate. Due to physiology, the former requires that both shells spiral in the same direction. Therefore, a Laoriphsh is physically incapable of co-insemination. The only way such an individual could reproduce is asexually, which is strongly discouraged, even among physiologically typical Uoreonghi, in order to preserve the colony’s genetic viability. Still, if a Laoriphsh chooses to self-inseminate, there is no guarantee that their genes will replicate perfectly. The likelihood that they will produce another Laoriphsh is extremely low.

In Ironclad colonies, the attitude is markedly different. Laoriphshesh are shunned and regarded as a curse upon their communities. The Ironclad are a proud warrior culture, not unlike the Spartans of ancient Greece. A common battle strategy utilized in Ironclad warfare is the shield wall. This requires the synchronized alignment and movement of individual warriors in a formation that essentially creates a wall of iron and agate shells. The strategy relies upon the fact that soldiers’ shells spiral to the right side. A Laoriphshesh, as far as the Ironclad are concerned, is an ineffective fighter and a liability.

For example, the phrase "Always remember the snail" (Goodreads) would look like: Alwaysh orememabeor thhe shnail.

“[Uoreonghi] names are usually soft and vowel filled ... As [Uoreonghi] are hermaphrodites, like normal snails, they don't worry about [gender] specific names" (Gastrosapiens).

Some common Uoreonghi names are: Ghooph, Mayze, Phloph, Foronad, and Aborooike

Uoreonghi are friends of Dwarves, who use their slime as a primary ingredient in gem polish. The races have a long history of cooperation and allyship. Any Uoreonghi who finds themself in need can always rely on a Dwarf to help them out, and vice versa.

Uoreonghi are enemies of Kuo-toa and Yuan-ti serpent-folk, who are some of their natural predators and at war with their Dwarven allies in Thindol.

Some Uoreonghi worship Hanghali-Yeoija, who is believed to be their earliest ancestor, as a deity in her own right. According to legend, she was a master of psionic magic who started life as an ordinary garden snail. Through exposure to stray psionic energy and magical herbs, she became sentient and developed an ability to shapeshift.

Some Uoreonghi are followers of Uluu Thalongh. Legend says that Uluu was an unidentified mystery beast of the Chultan jungles. He was described as

Some Uoreonghi believe that Uluu was actually one of their own who had also mastered psionic magic. Some believe he was evil and power crazed and do not honor him at all. Others, however, believe that his approach was the only way the Uoreonghi survived in his time, as he kept most threats to their colonies at bay. Still others, mainly those among the Ironclad, believe that Uluu was actually an avatar of Ubtao, and worship him as a face of that deity.

Uoreonghi colonies “are governed by a council of elders, who are fiercely respected by villagers. Occasionally, a few will leave their homes in search of supplies for their village, or to find adventure away from their humble start. Regardless of their motivation, [an Uoreonghi] will venture tirelessly until they have accomplished their goal” (Gastrosapiens).

Uoreonghi take pride in the condition of their shells and go to great lengths to ensure they are of an ideal thickness for protection, insulation, and coloration to camouflage in various environments and attract mates. Often, they will adorn their shells with pigmented bone meal pastes in patterns similar to traditional Indian henna. Some communities even have traditional etching patterns that are carved into the outermost layer of their shells to recognize achievements throughout their lives, similar to the scarification practices of Indigenous people in sub-Saharan Africa.

It is taboo to ask what is inside an Uoreonghi’s shell (Espiral). They do have a small, pouch-like organ called a secretum sinum inside their shell in which they can store a few small items.This is an evolutionary trait to store food or other spare resources, but it also makes them exceptional smugglers. Some magically gifted Uoreonghi have even learned to convert this organ into a bag of holding or even a pocket dimension, though it does require them to shrink down any large items they might wish to store, as the items still need to fit under the lip of their shell.

In the heart of the Chultan jungle, the Peaks of Flame crest the veridian canopy. These volcanic mountains are deeply feared by terrestrial Uoreonghi. The four peaks, three of which are active, are home to fearsome red dragons and myriad other creatures from the Elemental Plane of Fire.

The Peaks of Flame are fed by undersea hydrothermal vents in the depths of the Shining Sea. The iron-rich waters have evolved the aquatic Uoreonghi living there into a specialized subrace known as the Ironclad.

Their shells are composed of calcium, iron, and crystal agate. These materials also form the scales that coat the soft bodies of the Ironclad. Their shells and scales can be a variety of colors based on the iron and sulfur content of the water.

Most Ironclad worship Ubtao, Creator of Chult. He is a primordial being who resides in the Labyrinth of Life. Uoreonghi, especially the Ironclad, believe that their shell spirals and the matrix of hydrothermal vents that grant them their special body armor, are symbols of Ubtao’s realm.

After creating Chult, Ubtao splintered his being so that he could remain close to his creation and followers, becoming the spirits of the land itself. Because of this, there are three sects within the Church of Ubtao, all of which are amicable and do not seek to convert others:

• Jungle worshipers

• Land Spirit worshipers

• Deity worshipers

Priests of Ubtao are called Mazewalkers and reside in the Temple of Ubtao in Mezra, a city in Chult.

Ubtao became The Deceiver when he betrayed the other primordials to defeat Dendar the Night Serpent. He agreed to guard the Peaks of Flame, through which Dendar will eventually reenter the world. Dendar is imprisoned in the Realm of the Dead behind a pair of great iron doors. The Ironclad believe that their shells and armor are composed of iron flakes from the volcanic forge that produced these doors.

Ubtao is allied with Thard Harr, protector of Wild Dwarves, and the enemy of Sseth, a deity of the Yuan-ti serpent-folk. Just before 1400 DR, Ubtao abandoned Chult because of infighting among his followers.

The Ironclad believe that Uluu Thalongh is an avatar of Ubtao, making him all the more sacred to them for having taken the form of an Uoreonghi.

Legend has it that the Uoreonghi race is descended from Hanghali-Yeoija, a shapeshifting snail who is regarded as a deity amongst her followers.

The story goes that Hanghali-Yeoija began life as an ordinary snail who made her home in a lush, verdant garden belonging to a lonely druid who planted all manner of magical herbs there. Hanghali-Yeoija ate of these herbs every day, unaware of their power. In time, she developed sentience and speech.

One day, as the druid strode around the garden, wondering aloud to himself what else he should plant, she spoke up, giving him quite a fright. Once the druid realized who had spoken, and moved beyond his initial bewilderment, he became fascinated with this tiny talking snail. Over the ensuing weeks, he and the snail became friends and he was glad not to suffer from such desperate loneliness anymore. He filled a jar with soil and moss and placed her inside, dubbing her “Hanghali-Yeoija,” the Jar Woman. This way, he could carry her around and talk to her without worrying that a bird might come along and snatch her up.

As time went on, Hanghali-Yeoija’s powers grew stronger. It is believed that stray psionic energy, in addition to her diet of druidic herbs, was imbuing her with incredible magic. She loved the druid, but longed to experience life outside his garden walls. Each time she left her jar though, he scooped her back inside, saying it was far too dangerous to let her leave. If only she were human, like him, then he would let her go, she thought. Hanghali-Yeoija resolved that she must find a way to hone her powers so that she could transform, and perhaps then the druid would go with her.

Several months later, the druid returned and yelled out in surprise when he opened his garden gate to find a human woman standing there, smelling his roses. Hanghali-Yeoija thought he would be overjoyed. Now they could leave the garden together and explore all the places he had told her about. Now she would be safe from birds and lizards and stomping feet. But as the druid’s countenance darkened, she understood. He had never been as afraid for her safety as he was that she would leave him, and he would fall again into that desperate loneliness which had consumed him for so long.

He flew at her in a terrifying rage. Hanghali-Yeoija instinctively returned to her natural form and retracted into her shell. She expected him to force her back inside the jar again, but instead, the druid stumbled around the garden shouting out for her. Her magic had concealed her so that he could not find her in the grass. Hanghali-Yeoija realized that this would be her only opportunity to escape. Still, she hesitated. She didn’t want to abandon her dear friend, but she couldn’t live her whole life in a jar, either. In his shock, the druid had left the garden gate ajar. Hanghali-Yeoija made her way through it, took the shape of a blue bird, and left.

The story of Hanghali-Yeoija serves modern Uoreonghi as a reminder that their diminutive stature and slow pace do not detract from their value or talents, and that they shouldn’t relegate themselves to life in a jar. Many Uoreonghi, especially nomadic ones, are devout worshippers of the Jar Woman.

Ability Score Increases

When determining your character’s ability scores, increase one score by 2 and increase a different score by 1, or increase three different scores by 1.

Languages

Your character can speak, read, and write Common, Uoreonghian, and Dwarvish. Note that Uoreonghi naturally speak extremely slowly. Be creative in how you work with or around this.

Creature Type

Fey

Life Span

Uoreonghi live to be about 100 years old and reach maturity at age 20.

Size

Snail-folk are of small stature, reaching a maximum height of around 3 feet, and weigh 50-70 lbs.

Speed

Walking & Climbing, 15 ft

Burrowing (Terrestrial only), 25 ft

Swimming (Aquatic only), 25 ft

Proficiencies

Ranged weapons, Herbalism kits, Arcana, Medicine

Resistances

Psionic magic, Poison, being Grappled

Alignment

Uoreonghi can be any alignment, but are most commonly Good or Neutral.

Inventory

Uoreonghi are hard of hearing. Most carry an ear trumpet, typically worn on a chain around the neck. Some aquatic Uoreonghi opt to use a conch shell for this purpose.

Armor Class

Your armor class defaults to 15 because you are unable to wear armor (Tortle Race). Ironclad defaults to 17 because their shells are reinforced with iron.

Traits

Keen Senses - You can perceive your surroundings without relying on sight. You gain blindsight out to a radius of 20ft as long as you are not deafened. You have advantage on Perception checks that require smell or taste.

Hard Shelled - You can withdraw into your shell as an action. Until you emerge, you gain a +4 bonus to your AC (+2 if Ironclad), and you have advantage on Strength and Constitution saving throws. While in your shell, you are prone; your speed is 0 and can’t increase; you have disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws; you can’t take reactions; and the only action you can take is a bonus action to emerge from your shell (Tortle Race). You may choose to emerge bearing a single item from inside your shell if you have anything stored inside.

Slug Body - Your body is more malleable than most and harder to infect with toxins. You have advantage in saving throws against being poisoned and diseases. (Gastrosapiens) “[You] ignore difficult terrain and can “stand” on any surface (Espiral).” However, in areas with extreme heat, you gain levels of exhaustion at double the rate compared to other races (Limaxi).

Slick Mucus - Creatures attempting to grapple are at a disadvantage due to your thick coating of mucus. As long as you are not Ironclad, you may offer to coat willing allies in mucus to share the ability, however these allies will have disadvantage on Charisma checks while coated. The coating lasts for an hour, or until the ally bathes (Gastrosapiens). Ironclad cannot share the ability because of their natural body armor.

Cupid's Arrow (terrestrial only) - Terrestrial Uoreonghis can fire calcified darts at their enemies for 1d4+DEX piercing damage. The darts contain a light aphrodisiac which can be avoided with a successful Dexterity Save (DC 10). If the save is failed, the darted creature will fall hopelessly in love with you and do all your bidding for 10 minutes. The ability can be used once per long rest.

Artificer: These Uoreonghi are a rare breed who want to live life a little faster. They will modify their shells with magic and machinery, becoming steampunk snail-folk. Some learn highly advanced and intricate magical techniques to convert their shells into workshops while preserving the vital organs inside.

Barbarian: Though not exactly able to charge recklessly into battle, these Uoreonghi are more than ready to stand firm and let the fight come to them.

Bard: Uoreonghi Bards, like Artificers, tend to study advanced magic in order to store instruments inside their shells. Some even convert their shells into giant ocarinas or horns.

Cleric: Uoreonghi Clerics generally serve Hanghali-Yeoija or follow Ubtao as Mazewalkers, but have been known to pledge allegiance to other deities as well. They are usually champions of the people fighting for the cause of freedom.

Druid: Many become shapeshifters, like Hanghali-Yeoija, and work to master the psionic powers that saved her in their ancient stories.

Fighter: There aren’t many Uoreonghi Fighters, but the few that do exist are an impressive rarity. They’ve mastered the natural fluidity of their bodies to maximize their efficacy in battle. Often, they multiclass as Monks to aid in the development of their skills.

Monk: Uoreonghi Monks develop their psionic abilities to follow the path of Hanghali-Yeoija. They work to master their bodies’ natural fluidity and amorphous form. A very select few are also Fighters.

Paladin: Whether in service to Hanghali-Yeoija, Ubtao, or some other deity, Uoreonghi Paladins possess powerful innate armor, especially the Ironclad.

Ranger: The life of a vagabond suits most Uoreonghi just fine. Ranged weapons are preferred, given their slow speed and small stature.

Rogue: Their generally quiet, observant nature makes Uoreonghi surprisingly effective spies and criminals. In addition, their secretum sinum organ makes them adept smugglers.

Sorcerer: Many Uoreonghi Sorcerers claim to be descended from Hanghali-Yeoija herself. Others claim lineage tracing back to Uluu Thalongh.

Warlock: Often, Uoreonghi Warlocks are evil-aligned as they seek out deals with any deity who will look twice at them out of envy for the natural-born Sorcerers of their kind.

Wizard: Any Uoreonghi who wishes to learn and wield magic who bears a natural aptitude for it, but wishes to develop their skills earnestly, will typically become a Wizard.