Homebrew Beastfolk, Variant Species Details

Beastfolk
Whether born or cursed to the form by a cruel spellcaster, Beastfolk are a collection of humanoid races that bear strong resemblance to a natural animal. Due to the sheer variety of animals in the world and Beastfolk that take after them, Beastfolk have few common bonds amongst one another. They may form small communities, particularly if they all share the same animal appearance, but often times they live on the edges of civilization and only interact with those with the insight to see Beastfolk are at least as much human as they are animal

Born & Raised
The largest segment of beastfolk is born that way. In most beastfolk families all members resemble the same species of animal, and these are the beastfolk most likely to form communities with others. These beastfolk grow up outside of settlements with other humanoids and typically have little if any contact with other races before they begin their life of adventuring. Born and raised beastfolk tend to strike out adventuring when their communities are threatened, destroyed, or are forced into contact with the wider world.

Cursed & Broken
Fewer than the natural born beastfolk are the unfortunate souls who were cursed to the shape. Whether they transgressed against the gods, crossed a foul-tempered spellcaster, or provoked a curse from a sorcerous relic, these beastfolk began their life as something else. Beastfolk who are cursed to the form may have been adventurers before they took on their bestial appearance. Regardless of when or how, many beastfolk’s adventuring career consists of looking for a way to reverse the curse and return to their old selves. Some rare beastfolk eventually grow accustomed to their new shape and abandon or even reject attempts to return to their old form.

Breed True
All beastfolk have a physical resemblance to a particular animal. Amongst their own kind they call this resemblance their breed. Beastfolk derive many benefits from their breed, from natural aptitudes with certain abilities and skills to the ability to fly, breathe water, or even use echolocation.

Beastfolk, Variant Traits

All beastfolk share the following features.

Ability Score Increase

Increase one ability score by 2 or two ability scores by 1.

Age

Beastfolk age as humans do

Alignment

Beastfolk are true to their own hearts more than any law or code of ethics making them more often than not Chaotic. They tend towards Neutral more than Evil or Good

Size

Beastfolk are medium

Speed

Your basic walking speed is 30

Wild and Free

Beastfolk have advantage on saving throws against charm effects

All Creatures Under The Sun

Gain a breed trait based on the animal you share an appearance with

Language

You begin with Common and Beastspeech. Beastspeech can only be learned by Beastfolk and, when speaking it, they can communicate with animals as if under the effect of the spell, Speak With Animals.