Homebrew Wulfen Species Details

The Wulfen are a group of Lupine humanoids. Some rumors insist that they are lycanthropes who have lost their humanity and are stuck forever in their lupine forms. They have since formed into clans, tribes, and sects. For the most part they tend to be focused on their own clans, tribes, and family affairs. They have since begun to grow more militarily powerful as the wars, and skirmishes between the Elves that border them to the west, the Dwarves that border them to the North, and the ogres that keep invading. They have begun to foster powerful relationships with the humans to their south, and are working to push the borders of their lands to the east. 

There is a central hub of the Wulfen lands, the capital is run much like an empire, but it is still small, and it is working to get the more disparate factions in line with their emperor who they call 'The Marrok' the Alpha of all of the Alphas. When two large clans go to war it is the Marrok who sorts them out, but the tribes are answerable to the Clan Alphas. The throne of the Wulfen 'empire' such as it is; isn't a throne passed down. It is a throne earned through various powerful shows of not only power, wit, charisma, and wisdom, but it is also one that all of the Wulfen are behind. They are united behind the Marrok, while they may be enemies among each other, they are always united behind the Marrok. 

Wulfen have their own way of doing things, but they are not monsters, they are civilized enough for most humans to take easily. They are very similar to humans in that they are inventive, social creatures. They own and run farms, forts, villages, cities, merchants, diplomats, soldiers, nobles, and of course their 'kings' they call Alphas. They have rules, laws, and regulations. They aren't inherently cruel or evil simply because they are the enemy of humans. Wulfen are another race of people trying to get on in the world. 

The Wulfen have a very prickly and stubborn sense of honor. They are not stupid, nor do they commit so far to honor to be suicidal, but when their honor has been attacked they will demand a repayment in either blood or favor. While they have a very specific sense of honor they are not going to worry about the honor of the allies they make. They will ally themselves with any race against a common foe if they see the need to do so, of course these alliances have been in wars against Dwarves and Elves meaning they have aligned themselves with Orcs, Goblins, Tieflings, and other creatures that most civilizations don't find to be proper. Thankfully, over the past two generations the Wulfen have begun to extend olive branches to both groups while focusing on uniting together under one banner to forge a proper empire. 

 

Appearance

Just as their name implies they are giant humanoid wolves. The body is covered in fur that can range from dark black, to snow white, and every color imaginable in between. They have canine muzzles, and teeth, powerful jaws and Hazel, Brown, Green, Gold, or very rarely Blue Eyes. Their legs are very animal like and reminiscent of a trained dog wlaking on its hind legs.

Their naming cultures are very simple and follow human naming conventions without any kind of real flair of their own. The only thing is their surnames are taken from something their clan has either done, or has in common in their appearance. I.G. Snowpelt, or Bloodyblade.

Wulfen Traits

All Wulfen have these traits

Alignment

Wulfen are very chaotic in that they don't subscribe to most outsiders ideals or traditions. Yet, they are very lawful within their own territories and will adhere to the laws of the places they visit without question.

Wulfen are generally speaking not evil, and those that are are quickly destroyed, chased out, or secluded away from the rest of the world.

Size

Wulfen are very large creatures as a general rule of thumb. When fully grown they can be anywhere from 6 feet tall, to 10 feet tall. Their size is only just medium. They tend to be thickly built in the chest, with legs strong enough to support them.

Age

Wulfen physical maturity at about the same rate as humans. A Wulfen typically claims adulthood when they finish their first lone hunt at the age of 16 years old. Wulfen can live to be as old as 200 years old, but as they are a warrior people they tend to be a short lived race typically falling in combat anywhere between 50 - 75 years old. Their fur starts to go a slate or foggy grey when they achieve 100 years old, and will be completely grey by 175 years old.

Speed

Wulfen's base walking speed is 35 feet.

Darkvision

You can see in dim light within 45 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Enhanced Senses

A Wulfen can follow the scent of blood up to 500 feet (152m) away without too much trouble.
They can recognize and follow a familiar scent up to 50 feet away.
They also have advantage on perception checks based on hearing.

Language

As a Wulfen you can speak, read, and write both common and Lupine

You may also choose an additional language from the list below.

Goblin, Orc, Giant, Sylvan, or Undercommon

Ability Score Increase

Wulfen are very strong and are built to endure. Their bodies are used to the harsh nature of mountains, forests, and other such harsh environments. Of course some are strong or faster than others and thus you have a predator built to be in the wilds.

You gain a +2 to constitution, and a +1 to either Strength or Dex.