Homebrew Born Werewolf Species Details

He... changed... his limbs lengthened, his face contorted, he became nothing but violence. And then, strangest of all, he winked at me.
— Blan Waylocke, The Coldfist, King of Davos

 

Societal Structure

Most natural lycan shifters view their condition as a gift and tend to live in "pack" villages far from civilization, called Conclaves. From birth, they are trained to master their lycanthropy. Afflicted lycan shifters, on the other hand, are more likely to be horrified by their condition and attempt to find a cure. Unlike the afflicted, natural lycan shifters cannot be "cured" nor can they spread the disease; it is innate, forever a part of who they are. However, all lycan shifters are usually secretive about their condition because of the social stigma attached to it. As such, many who leave their "pack" tend to end up as lonely adventurers.

Most Lycan packs work off of an overall Matron/Patron hierarchy. Women that are able to bear children are protected by their pack, as successful births are often rare due to their bloodlines and long lives. There is no certainty of whether a male or female will lead the pack, as it often relies on strength, wisdom, and overall usefulness to the pack.

Culture and Conclaves

Conclaves are small, isolated settlements, usually with loose communication with other Conclaves, where werewolves congregate on pilgrimage (typically after being newly created, but many do make a tradition of it) to learn the skill necessary to contain and control their bestial nature. Through training and communion, young and newly made werewolves develop tools to control and maintain their sense of self during a transformation. Many stay in the conclave their whole life, feeling at ease with creatures similar to them and finding peace in the simple, dedicated work conclave life entails.

 

Physical Description

The natural lycan shifters have a human form, beast form, and hybrid form:

Their human form is their “true” form. In humanoid form, The lycans appear no different than their original humanoid species.

Their beast form is a perfect reflection of the beast blood that courses through their veins except for the unusual spark of intelligence in their eyes.

In their hybrid form, The natural lycan shifters resemble their original race except with fur covering their entire body, elongated fingers and nails, elongated feet, and the head of the beast. They can understand speech and speak, but it is more guttural and slow.

Born Werewolf Traits

Born Werewolf Traits

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Primordial, and Sylvan.

Keen Senses

A Lycan's keen senses allow them to sniff and seek out threats that most others would miss. Gain advantage on Wisdom(Perception) and Intelligence(Investigation) checks that rely on sight or smell, as well as Animal Handling for non-prey animals. You have disadvantage for Animal Handling checks for animals that can be considered normal prey.

However, very loud noises or very strong smells will cause disadvantage for 5 rounds after the noise or smell has dissipated.

Ability Bonuses

Your race grants you some enhanced physical abilities.

You have +1 bonuses to your Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution ability scores.

Movement

Your humanoid movement speed is 30. While hybrid form, your movement is increased to 35, and in Animal Form your movement speed is increased to 40 feet.

To The Point

Lycan find it difficult to deceive others, as it is in their nature to be gruff and blunt. You have disadvantage on Deception checks.

Hunter's Prowess

You have proficiency with the Survival Skill.

Lycanthrope Fortitude

There is only enough room for one intruder in your body...and the beast will always wins. You are immune to disease. You have advantage on saving throws against poison, and you have resistance against poison damage.

Insticts

You automatically gain the alert feat.

Wolf-vision

Because of your new ability, you have the superior vision of a wolf. Which means that in dark and dim conditions, you can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness 120 feet as if it were dim light. However, you are red/green colorblind.

Alignment

Born werewolves tend toward neutrality, being more focused on survival than concepts of good and evil. The pack mentality with which most natural lycanthropes are raised tends to lean towards a lawful tendency, but love of personal freedom can drive shifters toward chaotic alignments.

Keen Tracker

You gain advantage when making a survival (wisdom) check for tracking.

Lycan Pack Tactics

If an allies is within 5 feet of the enemy and the ally isn't incapacitated, that ally has advantage on an attack roll against a creature . (One advantage per ally per turn.)

Frenzy

Combat Frenzy

The bestial blood in your veins is very powerful, but is dangerous, as it eats away at your mind and preys upon your most passionate and negative emotions. When your current hit points are below half of your maximum hit points, you must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw (DC 12+ your Constitution score -your level), or you transform into your Animal form and immediately attack the nearest creature within 15 feet of you with your natural weapons. You reroll the saving throw at the start of each of your turns, and you can choose to revert to your Hybrid or Humanoid form if you succeed.

Alternatively, a vile containing Wolf's Bane or silver will lower the DC to 10 -your level. A vile containing a mixture of both will lower the DC to an 5 -your level. Any vile must be worn or it will have no effect.

Full Moon Rage

At the start of the night that has a full moon, you must make a (DC 15+ your Constitution score -your level) Wisdom saving throw or lose control of yourself. When you lose control you do a full transformation, during this time the DM has control over your Player Character.

Alternatively, a vile containing Wolf's Bane or silver will lower the DC to 12 -your level. A vile containing a mixture of both will lower the DC to an 10 -your level. Any vile must be worn or it will have no effect.

When the moon wanes, the beast within can be controlled once again. You might not remember the events of your transformation, though the memories will often haunt you as bloody dreams.

Tracking

You can detect opponents within 30 feet by sense of smell. If the opponent is upwind, the range increases to 45 feet; if downwind, it drops to 15 feet. Strong scents can be detected at twice the ranges noted above. Overpowering scents can be detected at triple normal range. When a creature detects a scent, the exact location of the source is not revealed—only its presence somewhere within range.

Mask of the Wild

You can attempt to hide even when you are only lightly obscured by foliage, heavy rain, falling snow, mist, and other natural phenomena.

Beast Tongue

Your lycanthropy has given a greater understanding of the wildlife around you. You can, as an action, cast the spell "speak with animals" 1d4 times per day.

Bite and Claw Attacks

In wolf form, you gain the Bite attack and are considered proficient: Melee Weapon Attack, one target, 1d6+Strength piercing damage per action.

In wolf or hybrid form, you gain Claw attacks and are considered proficient: Melee Weapon Attack, one target, 1d4+Strength per paw. In hybrid form, you get one claw attack per action, unless you are proficient in two weapon fighting. In wolf form you have 2 claw attacks per action.

Natural Armour

When you shift to animal or hybrid, your armor disappears until you shift back to humanoid form. You have natural armor equal to 11 + Dexterity Modifier while in hybrid or animal form.

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