Homebrew Wolpertinger Species Details

Goodnatured, but fiercely competetive, tenacious yet shy. Carrying the heritage of both wolves and deer, Wolpertinger are one of the quicker races native to the material plane. They can be found in any hub of civilisation pursuing their talents, or in the wilderness, following their instincts.

Snout and Antlers

Most Wolpertinger stand around 6 feet tall. They are covered in hair from top to bottom, but it can be short, long, fuzzy, curly or otherwise. Their head is shaped like that of a wolf or dog, but all of them have antlers of varying size and form. When exausted, they tend to pant with their tongue out. Most Wolpertinger move elegantly and have almost unnaturally good posture, hearing and smelling. Water however disturbs them, and they would rather steer clear of swimmable bodies of it.

A Touch of Destiny

Whether a Wolpertinger grows up to be feral and wild or civilised depends on what they eat as a cub. During the first year of their life, they have minor telepathic abilities, and affection is all they need for nourishment. These ones grow up to be artisans, fencers and guildleaders.

Should this be unavailable however, a young wolpertinger will feed on anything they find which may shape their future in uncertain ways. Most will find berries, roots, nuts or the remains of beasts and so they turn wild, but some stumble into darker fates.

Despite their different purposes, all wolpertingers have one thing in common: They can occasionally smell their own red thread, and even though they don't know where it will lead, they will feel compelled to follow it. It is believed that this thread will lead them to their destiny.

Competetive Nature

Wolpertinger are easily exited, and combined with their inherent pride it is very easy to get a Wolpertinger to participate in a competition. Though eager to win, they value fairness above all else and as such hold a grudge against people known to lie or use cheap tricks.

Most Wolperinger one might see in a city carry a mobile set of Dragonchess or a fencing saber around with them as many of their disputes are settled in duels and competitions. In most big cities, one can easily find specialised cafés for games, bets and sports of all manner owned and frequented by Wolpertinger. As a tourist attraction or a fun way to lose your money, these establishments are regularly visited by members of other races, though few are able to compete with the dedication most Wolpertinger bring to the table.

Innate Talent

While a Wolpertinger might be skilled with some of these competetive activities, that would be nothing in comparison to their one inherent talent.

Each wolpertinger has one thing, one activity or one skill, that they are exceptionally good at without recieving any education on it. These talents can be things like dancing, gift-wrapping, making tea or building the perfect garden for afternoon activities.

It is unknown where this skill comes from, and not every Wolpertinger will find it in their lifetime. It is something most will stumble upon coincidentally, but those actively looking for it often find other things they enjoy doing. When engaging with this innate skill, however, the wolpertinger involuntarily falls into a trance until they complete the project, or at least a part of it reasonable for the day. 

These talents can be more or less useful, as the case of Ornt La Ocro demonstrates. Ornt was exceptionally great at giving advice. If you went to him plagued by questions and uncertainty, you left assured and with a plan of action. While in many cases, that alone was enough to help, sometimes it actively endangered the listener as his ability to give advice was far better than the advice itself. In one instance, he advised his apprentice to make a jewellery box out of the rare Nurnwood as a token of love to win over a woman. Ornt came out of the trance and realised that acquiring the wood of the vile Nurns meant almost certain death. But when he went to warn his student, he was already gone.

Wolpertinger Names

Wolpertinger adopt the naming conventions of their place of birth, and often mention that place when they introduce themselves. "I am Dannó of the Grey-End Woods."

Wolpertinger Traits

Wolpertinger are nimble and confident. Their senses, instincts and learned skills make them very adaptable.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and one other score increases by 1.

Age

Wolpertinger reach maturity by age 3. Wolpertinger don’t usually live longer than 60 years.

Alignment

A Wolpertinger's Alignment depends heavily on their first year of life, but they all tend to lawful alignments. Those raised with love turn out good, while wild ones can fall anywhere between good and evil.

Size

Wolpertinger are about 6 feet tall. They have slim bodies and weigh about 140 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 35 feet.

Antlers and Fangs

Your Antlers and Fangs are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d4 + your Dexterity modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Keen Smell and Hearing

You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.

Innate Talent

You have a Skill, an Ability or just something you are extremely good at, for no apparent reason. You might have already figured it out or are just waiting for it, but you know it is there. Work with your DM to figure out what it is, what it does and if you have discovered it at this point in your story.

You automatically succeed checks regarding your talent, but make an additional check regarding the quality of the result. Roll a d100. You may add boni such as proficiency, guidance or other effects.

Quality	d100
Acceptable, if slightly underwhelming.	1-10
Does the job and looks good doing it.	11-29
Fine work for someone with years in the field.	30-64
Only a master of the craft would find flaws.	60-89
Basically perfect.	90-99
An absolute masterwork. News of this might spread.	100

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language. A wild Wolpertinger might know bits and pieces of any language, or none at all.