I am in the process of making a Shifter. I can't decide between Swiftstride or Wildhunt, but regardless, I want my character to have a tail.
I am leaning towards Swiftstride, and I was thinking that because she has a permanent tail, she is more dextrous as she can use her tail as a counterbalance, allowing her to quickly change direction, dodge and balance much more easily than a standard human.
I would not be asking for anything that the character would not officially be getting as she would get an increase to her DEX score anyway. Her tail would be the explanation as to why she has that increase.
So here is my question. Can Shifters (weretouched) be born with permanent characteristics of their animal, like a tail, in addition to the traits they can assume while shifted (claws, fangs and the like)?
As a supplementary question, would it make sense for a family of Shifters to give birth to Shifter children, or is being a Shifter something that happens at random, like a random mutation or the resurgence of a curse or genes from generations past?
Given the little bit of blurb from the book: (emphasis mine)
Shifters are sometimes called the weretouched, as many believe they are the descendants of humans and lycanthropes. Whatever their origins, shifters have evolved into a unique race. They are humanoids with a bestial aspect; while they can’t fully change shape, they can temporarily enhance their animalistic features — a state they call shifting.
This leads me to believe that Shifters give birth to Shifters and that humans aren't involved at all any more.
As for having a tail - the page doesn't say anything about it - but I don't see why your character couldn't have one. It's not like it would be giving you a mechanical advantage.
Shifters are their own race, unlike a Half-Elf or a Half-Orc (depending on the campaign setting.) I believe the origin of Shifters is deliberately left ambiguous. Nothing precludes you from having any cosmetic options.
Shifters are their own race, unlike a Half-Elf or a Half-Orc (depending on the campaign setting.) I believe the origin of Shifters is deliberately left ambiguous. Nothing precludes you from having any cosmetic options.
Somewhat topically, in Eberron (where shifters are), half-orcs and half-elves are also their own true-breeding races :p
If you're the DM, you can decide if they do or don't.
If you're not the DM, you should be asking your DM.
As described in published material, dragonborn don't have tails, tieflings are generally shades of red, and firbolg are big nosed, grey skinned human looking people. But in my setting dragonborn have tails, tieflings can be any shade under the sun and firbolg are more deer-like in appearance with fur that's generally either shades of brown, or pastel colours.
You don't need to ask our permission to be creative or change the lore.
Hi,
I am in the process of making a Shifter. I can't decide between Swiftstride or Wildhunt, but regardless, I want my character to have a tail.
I am leaning towards Swiftstride, and I was thinking that because she has a permanent tail, she is more dextrous as she can use her tail as a counterbalance, allowing her to quickly change direction, dodge and balance much more easily than a standard human.
I would not be asking for anything that the character would not officially be getting as she would get an increase to her DEX score anyway. Her tail would be the explanation as to why she has that increase.
So here is my question. Can Shifters (weretouched) be born with permanent characteristics of their animal, like a tail, in addition to the traits they can assume while shifted (claws, fangs and the like)?
As a supplementary question, would it make sense for a family of Shifters to give birth to Shifter children, or is being a Shifter something that happens at random, like a random mutation or the resurgence of a curse or genes from generations past?
Thanks
A caffeinated nerd who has played TTRPGs or a number of years and is very much a fantasy adventure geek.
Given the little bit of blurb from the book: (emphasis mine)
This leads me to believe that Shifters give birth to Shifters and that humans aren't involved at all any more.
As for having a tail - the page doesn't say anything about it - but I don't see why your character couldn't have one. It's not like it would be giving you a mechanical advantage.
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Shifters are their own race, unlike a Half-Elf or a Half-Orc (depending on the campaign setting.) I believe the origin of Shifters is deliberately left ambiguous. Nothing precludes you from having any cosmetic options.
Somewhat topically, in Eberron (where shifters are), half-orcs and half-elves are also their own true-breeding races :p
You're honestly asking the wrong people.
If you're the DM, you can decide if they do or don't.
If you're not the DM, you should be asking your DM.
As described in published material, dragonborn don't have tails, tieflings are generally shades of red, and firbolg are big nosed, grey skinned human looking people. But in my setting dragonborn have tails, tieflings can be any shade under the sun and firbolg are more deer-like in appearance with fur that's generally either shades of brown, or pastel colours.
You don't need to ask our permission to be creative or change the lore.
Find my D&D Beyond articles here
"How are shifters born?" Well, when a mommy shifter and a daddy shifter love each other or have had too many at the tavern...
Anyway. Shifters are described as humanoids with bestial aspects (before shifting) so I don't see why they couldn't have a tail.