Ettinling

Many species like Hobgoblins, duergar, drow and even humans have long learned the value of capturing the menacing ettin - the two headed giantkin - as with enough selective breeding, magic and alchemy they forgo their bestial ways - like a wolf that changes into a obedient dog. Those who emerge from the only few generations long genetical sieving are called simply ettinling and are used as superb and valued guards, gladiators and slaves everywhere where such end justifies the means.

Two Heads, One Body

The most notable characteristics of ettinlings is that they are born with two heads holding separate personalities and minds, from which right head controls right hand and left head controls left hand and the remaining body. This gives a reason for very good relationships between the Ettinling siblings, although it is far from rare that one tries to remove the other head - cause losing one is usually not fatal. For the reason that Ettinlings have two heads, they are very good guards and sentinels, for only one head needs to be awake to scout the surroundings, while other sleeps, and if in need wake the other. Shared body and blood means also that diseases and injuries affect them both, yet madness - as rare as it is for them - comes separately.

Mind Versus Body

They are bred so that the heads have different traits - left is the feral and simple brute, whilst right acts as the tactician, planner and the dominant one.

Ettinling Traits

For the reason that the Ettinling share a body, there are some stats, skills and abilities that are shared and some that are not.

Shared Body, Shared Traits: You share the same hit points, hit die, AC, armor proficiencies, Strenght and Constitution scores, saves and skills. In addition all conditions and features (Rage, Wild Shape, Exhaustion, Grapple, Poisioned, Invisibility, Tough feat, Purity of Body etc.) that affect the body and physique, affect both players.

Different Heads, Personal Traits: Weapon proficiencies, Intelligence, Wisdom and Charisma scores, saves and skills are not shared and are separate for both players. In addition all conditions and features that affect the personality, mind, senses and manual dexterity (Blinded, Deafened, Frightened, Charmed, Ranger’s Companion, Sleep, Blindsense, Fast Hands etc.) affect players separately and for those, the target is either AoE or specific head, not the entire body.

Ettinling Agility: Thanks to the shared body, but separate arms you share your Dexterity score and saves, and Stealth. All other Dexterity based skills and features are separate.

Ability Score Increase: Constitution, Dexterity and Strenght scores increase by 1.

Age: Ettinlings reach maturity at age 10 and can live up to 70 years old.

Alignment: Thanks to the selective breeding and carefully selected personality traits to take orders and stay vigil, both heads tend towards lawful.

Size: The tallest of you are up to 8 feet tall and weight around 350 pounds. But due to the usually underdark dwellings of your masters, your size and weight can be severely hindered. Your size is medium.

Speed: Left head's base walking speed is 33 feet. Right head does not have movement.

Big Body, Strong Body: When levelling up and at level one you roll 1d12 for hit points no matter the classes taken, but use your shared Constitution modifier once. In addition you gain 2 extra health every time you level up and at level one. Hit die accumulationg over character progression and when used during Short Rests is also shared d12 instead of class specific.

When you gain ASI at later levels, both of you can only use one point for Dex, Str and Con, but both points for Int, Wis and Cha. When you decide to take feat instead, you both lose your ASI for one shared feat.

Ettinling Build: You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift. In addition you are proficient in Athletics.

Body Over Mind: Left head has -1 to Intelligence and Wisdom scores, and rolls its damaging spells and cantrips with disadvantage.

In addition left head also has Savage Attacks.

Savage Attacks: When you score a critical hit with a melee weapon attack, you can roll one of the weapon’s damage dice one additional time and add it to the extra damage of the critical hit.

Mind Over Body: Right head has +1 to Wisdom or Intelligence score, but rolls its weapon attacks with disadvantage.

Mental Homogenity: Concentration on a spell or ability does not stack for same spell or ability, and doing so automatically ends both concentrations. In addition if concentration states some specific clause (attacking or casting spells for Invisibility for example) that ends the concentration, both heads must abide by it, unless breaking the concentration.

Move, Dummy!: Right head can use its reaction or bonus action to shout at the left head, forcing it to move the body up to 10 feet in straight line horisontally. This movement does not trigger opportunity attacks. Right head can use this feature up to its Charisma modifier per Long Rest.

Begone, Madness!: Ettinling is resistant to psychic damage. In addition both heads roll Charisma and Wisdom saving throws with advantage.

Deskmates: Thanks to the unseparable nature of your being, you can only choose one Background that you share but don't stack.

Languages: Both heads read, write and speak common, and one extra languages which must be same for both heads.

Playing as Ettinling

First you have to share a body with second player. What means that some scores are rolled separately and some rolls just once for shared stats. You have to decide who does the moving and who does the talking. Secondly what classes should you take? Remember, you both can use just one hand, so for two-handed weapons and climbing and other activities that require good relatonship with your second half is reccomended, but not mandatory. Remember also, that you share hit points pool and location, so when one gets hit, you both are. Is wild shape or rage worth? Is being right head rogue worth it without legs and is being left head wizard good enough with the decreased stats?