Homebrew Awakened Animal Species Details

THE SOUND OF THE HORNS WARNED
OF THE RAIDERS’ APPROACH. Even before
Alynd had begun to roll out of her tent and draw her
knives, Oak was already moving, low to the ground
with his hackles raised and a barely audible growl
in his throat. He was an old dog now, grey at the
muzzle and deaf in one ear. They'd grown together,
dark skinned girl and snow white dog, never apart.
Oak had been as true and strong as the tree whose
name he bore. Comforting her through loss, joyous
in play, unfailing in trust and deadly in defence of
his family. If tonight, protecting the children of the
village below, was the night they fell, it would be as
they had lived, together as one, human and dog.
A bond not even death could break.
The warmth of a roaring hearth fire, the breathless
joy of the hunt, the trackless paths of a long journey.
Provided they are close to the ones they call family
and pack, dogs can call anywhere home. For much of
history, dogs have been stalwart companions, faithful
guardians and beloved kin to their two-legged allies.
Loyalty, faith, devotion and selflessness have guided
the dog through the ages.

Compact and Diverse

Endlessly variable, constantly adaptable, dogs
have been shaped by their entwined history with
other races until little trace of their wild ancestry
remains. Now, a breed of dog seems to exist for
every possible niche within society and for every
task. From great shaggy hunting dogs to the
tiniest of lapdogs, the variety of the canine form
seems without bounds.
Generally dogs tend to live between 10 and 15
years and reach adulthood around 18 months
old. Whilst it is usual for dogs to live with
families or individuals of other races, dogs will
also form their own groups for strength and
companionship. A wide array of natural colours
and coats occur and thus individual dogs are
easily identified by other races visually, even
though they rely more on their sense of smell
for such things themselves.

Loyal and True

Dogs are naturally loyal to those they sense as
a pack. This trait carries through to intelligent
dogs from their wilder kin. Those who claim
a dog as a friend have a true and unshakeable
companion for life. Affable and upbeat, dogs live
for the now and enjoy experiencing curiosity and
adventure. They have few emotional filters and
can switch from effervescent joy to melancholy
in a moment. However they shed black moods
very easily and seem incapable of holding a
grudge or harbouring ill feeling.
Dogs are easily moved to help others and
relieve suffering and will be generous with their
affection and time.

Walking at Society's Side

Dogs have the capacity to make their homes
almost anywhere that they choose, but the most
common places they are found is within the
settlements of other races, acting in a wide range
of roles. Wild dogs do also thrive under different
circumstances in the more temperate areas
of the world. Intelligent dogs tend to remain
closely linked with either their adopted society
or the wild areas they knew as pups. However,
a dog’s sense of home is usually defined by
their company rather than a place, and dogs are
comfortable travelling widely as long as they
have the constancy of friendship.

A Nose for Adventure

Dogs gifted with unusual intelligence seek
adventure for many reasons. It is common
that answers to questions about why they are
different to their kind are a driving force, but
equally the desire to make a difference will
motivate many dogs. Their instinctive urge to
support and assist, coupled with the ability to
reflect on the world in deep terms can be more
than enough to lead a dog from the warmth of
a home and into the wider world.

Awakened Animal Traits

The diversity of dogs is hard to generalize but dogs begin with the following traits.

Keen Senses

Dogs have advantage on Perception checks based on smell or hearing and disadvantage on Perception checks depending upon color recognition.

Best Friend

Dogs may cast the Charm Person spell using Charisma as the spellcasting ability once per long rest. No spell components are necessary. The DC for this ability is 8 + your Charisma modifier.

Worse than the Bark

You have a natural bite attack. You are proficient with this attack and it counts as both a weapon attack and an unarmed attack. This attack does 1d4 + your Strength modifier damage. This increases to 1d6 + your Strength modifier at level 5 and 1d8 + your Strength modifier at level 10.

Boundless Persistence

Once per long rest, when you are reduced to 0 hit points, you may immediately roll a hit dice to heal that many hit points.

Calming Presence

Your presence is calming to other non-hostile animals and humanoids. You have proficiency in the Animal Handling and Persuasion skills.

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength score increases by 1. Your Charisma score increases by 2.

Breed Abilities

Dogs are an almost infinitely varied species and as such, are represented by the subraces and the following breed abilities. These are intended to help reflect a certain breeding or classic role that dogs are renowned for. You may choose two of these abilities at level 1. If you are using the optional Feat rules, then instead of taking a feat choice, you may take an extra choice from this breed abilities list.