Homebrew Chimera-Kin Species Details

Chimeras are known as nothing but horrifying Amalgams of Beasts and Monster, terrorizing those who cross its path. Truly something so horrifying cant be natural...or can it? Since the turn of a new age, a curious phenomenon has surfaced: Humans with the blood of monsters coursing through their veins. One may mistake them for Shifters, and although they share transforming capabilities, they are not bound by a single beast to take after, but instead can take on traits of various other creatures. Within a single moment of focus, A Chimera-Kin can alter their entire form, altering each limb with monstrous properties, while still retaining their sense of self.

Monsters Among Us

Although the base form of a Chimera-Kin takes on Elf-like traits, the real source of their power comes in their bestial mutations. Each Chimera-Kin can take on the properties of 5 different creatures, one for each of the major limbs: the Legs, Right Arm, Left Arm, Torso, and Head (In some cases they can take on even more features, such as wings, tails, etc.). Their abilities start to manifest around early adolescence, starting off with shifting each limb at will, and gaining experience though maturity. The older a Chimera-Kin is, the more control they have over their abilities, cumulating into a technique that showcases absolute mastery over their natural gifts, called The Beast Trigger. When activating Beast Trigger, a Chimera-Kin can take on a form where ALL of their bestial traits are active at once, appearing as an humanoid amalgamation. This altered form does not last long however, and requires absolute focus and control to maintain. While in this state, they still retain the mindset of their normal self, but is more privy to their natural instincts, and can get more feral when agitated

Creature Features

As stated before, A Chimera-Kin's base form is more humanoid, with some slight elf-like features. They can almost be indistinguishable from a crowd even, but that depends on one major factor: Their Creature Feature. EVERY single Chimera-kin always has at least ONE distinct limb that has their respective bestial trait. This can range from Digitigrade Legs, A Claw, Tail, Head, etc. Some feel the need to hide it, or show it off without fear, it mostly depends on their general background

The Unknown Phenomenon

Ever since the turn of a new age, more and more Chimera-Kin have appeared across various territories. Their origin is still unknown, but theories suggest they are a mutation of the Shifters, or even the results of Arcane/Scientific genetic experimentation. Nobody can know for sure, and because of this they have a slight stigma against them. Even those familiar with Shifters have slight caution around Chimera-Kin, due their their unnatural and mysterious abilities

Chimera-Kin Names

The Origin of Chimera-Kin are still unknown, therefore have no ties to any known languages or civilizations. Their names are mostly bound to the environment they are raised in, and have no real restrictions.

Chimera-Kin Traits

Chimera-Kin can take on the Traits of various Creatures limb by limb, or take on a more monstrous form where all of their feral abilities are active at once

Languages

Can Read and Speak Common

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 2, and your Strength Score increases by 1

Age

Chimera-Kin mature at the rate of a regular human, but can live past 100 depending on their Bestial Traits and lifestyle

Alignment

Chimera-Kin are more Neutral, however depending on how their raised, can take on a more Chaotic of Noble alignment

Size

Chimera-Kin range from 5 to almost 7 feet tall, and depending on the Traits, their Beast Trigger form can range from 6 to almost 9 feet tall, sometimes even bigger.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Beast Trigger

At the start of your turn, you can activate all of your Bestial traits at once, and take on your Beast Trigger form. While in this form, you gain an Additional Action, and depending on the traits your Chimera-Kin takes on, for example, you can gain SOME pf the following abillites: (Keep in mind this does NOT grant you ALL of these traits, consult your DM to find a proper balance while in Beast Trigger)

• Use a d8 for Unarmed Attacks
• Flying Speed of 30 ft
• Water-breathing
• Darkvision
• Rough Terrain traversal
• ETC. (Consult your DM for any other possible buffs that seem appropriate for the form)

Although one can activate Beast Trigger easily, Maintaining it is harder. If you still wish to use Beast Trigger on the following turns, you must roll a d20 at the start of your turn. If you roll an 11 of higher you maintain the form for another turn. If you roll a 10 or lower, you automatically deactivate Beast Trigger, and lose the ability to do so until a short rest, and gain Disadvantage on Wisdom Checks/Saving throughs. You can drop Beast Trigger at will, doing so will allow you to activate it for later use, without replenishing it with a short rest

Keen Senses

You have proficiency with the Perception skill.

Instant Mutation

Allows the player to use "Alter Self" at will

Darkvision

You have superior vision 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 as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.