Homebrew Tanuki Species Details

"The tanukis had us surrounded, without the blessed sword we could not defeat them."

— Former samurai, Goro Yoshida

 

Tanukis are shapeshifters with a true form resembling a raccoon with brown/tan fur. Their true form is on average 3-4 feet or 1-1.2 meters tall. They can be anywhere between 5-10 pounds or 80-160 ounces in weight. They usually use a preferred form depending on the type of area they live. They have no particular trend towards a certain alignment(s) and can be anything from lawful good-chaotic evil.

Tanuki age

Tanukis mature at the rate of humans but live up to 500 years.

Shape-shifting/Preferred form

Shape-shifting- Tanukis can change their form to try and help in a situation. This doesn't effect their size, weight, hit points, etc. but it can increase Charisma based stats (Persuasion, Deception, Intimidation, and Performance) up to +4 (decided by DM). During combat shape-shifting takes up an entire turn.

Preferred form- A form other than the tanuki's true form that it defaults to after shape-shifting. This usually depends on multiple factors and can raise or lower Charisma based stats depending on the situation. These forms can be of another race, an animal, or inanimate object as long as the DM allows for it. They do not effect size, weight, hit points, etc. 

 

Master of the shadows

Tanukis are very well versed in ninja arts and have a +4 proficiency to stealth.

Tanukis also have darkvision up to 90 feet or 30 meters

Tanuki vision

Tanukis have an ability where they can preform a type perception check to see any magical energy in a room/area, this is known as Tanuki Vision. Tanuki Vision can be used to identify magical properties of an item or locate a magical item.

Tanuki Names

Tanukis have no language of their own and usually have humanoid names  or names based on an object.

Common tanuki names: Teapot, Ren, Kyo, Bottle, Kohaku, Lantern 

Tanuki Traits

Your Tanuki character has the following traits.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 1.

Your Charisma score increases by 2.

Age

Tanukis mature at human rate but live for up to 500 years.

Alignment

Tanukis have no trend to any particular alignment. 

Size

Tanukis range from 3 to 4 feet tall. Your size is small.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet. Your speed burrowing and climbing is 45. Your speed swimming is 20.

Darkvision

You have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 90 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.

Keen Senses

You have proficiency with the Perception skill.

Shape-Shifting

You can assume a new appearance. This can increase or decrease charisma based stats (persuasion, preformance, deception, and intimidation) depending on the situation.

This does not effect:

-size classification

-height and weight

-hit points

-strength

-constitution

-dexterity

-wisdom and intelligence  

-stats not determined by Charisma

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common.