Homebrew Canis Species Details

Canis are born when one or both parents are afflicted with Lycanthropy. Relatively little is known about the Canis. When born, they are possess many more canine traits than human, and as such, were considered freaks of nature. For centuries these pups were killed shortly after birth... Until one was allowed to reach maturity.

The first Canis to reach maturity, was born to a pair of house servants, endentured to a wealthy Noble. Upon discovering the pup... The Noble soon discovered that this new race was quick to learn, and eager to please... The Nobel very quickly surmised to breed them as slaves.

They are a product of Lycanthropy, but are not lycanthropes. They do not change forms, and unlike were-creatures, who have a hunched stance, the Canis have a fully upright posture

Like canines, Canis possess heightened senses of smell, and hearing. Their sight, however is generally limited. They see in shades of grey, and are nearsighted, but excel at detecting even the slightest movements. Their heightened senses cause many Canis to avoid large crowds, as they tend to find it overwhelming. 

While most Canis prefer to avoid large cities, many have adapted to urban life, and have learned how to deal with the sensory overload. 

Creating Your Character

If you create a Canis character, follow these additional rules during character creation.

Ability Score Increases

When determining your character’s ability scores, increase one of those scores by 2 and increase a different score by 1, or increase three different scores by 1. Follow this rule regardless of the method you use to determine the scores, such as rolling or point buy.

 

The “Quick Build” section for your character’s class offers suggestions on which scores to increase. You’re free to follow those suggestions or to ignore them. Whichever scores you decide to increase, none of the scores can be raised above 20.

Languages

Your character can speak, read, and write Common and Canis.

Creature Type

Your creature type is Humanoid and Beast simultaneously. 

Life Span

Canis devlop very slowly for the first two years of their life, resembling actual puppies until around thier third year, when they learn to stand upright, and begin to speak. They are considered fully grown by 5 years old, but do not reach maturity until around 20. The average Canis has a life span of 70 years. 

Height and Weight

Player characters, including Canis, typically fall into the same ranges of height and weight that humans have in our world. If you’d like to determine your character’s height or weight randomly, consult the Random Height and Weight table in the Player’s Handbook, and choose the row in the table that best represents the build you imagine for your character.

Canis Traits

You have the following racial traits.

Creature Type

You are a Humanoid and a Beast. 

Size

You are Medium.

Speed

Your walking speed is 35 feet.

Your burrowing speed of 10ft. 

Heightened Senses

You can perceive your surroundings without relying on sight. Using your senses of smell, and hearing, you are able to sense the presence of creatures within 60ft of you, even if they are invisible. You have advantage on Perception checks that rely on scent or hearing. 

Claws

You can use your claws to make unarmed strikes. When you hit with them, the strike deals 1d6 + your Strength modifier slashing damage, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Darkvision

You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light and 30 feet in darkness as if it were dim light. You discern colors only as shades of gray regardless of lighting. You are proficient in Athletics.

Canine Endurance 

You are proficient in Athletics.

Canis Traits

As a Canis you have the following Racial Traits

Heightened Senses

You can perceive your surroundings without relying on sight. Using your senses of smell, and hearing, you are able to sense the presence of creatures within 60ft of you, even if they are invisible. You have advantage on Perception checks that rely on scent or hearing. 

Tooth and Claw

Your fanged maw is a natural weapon, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with it, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike. In addition you can use your claws to make unarmed strikes. When you hit with them, the strike deals 1d6 + your Strength modifier slashing damage, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Darkvision

You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light and 30 feet in darkness as if it were dim light. You discern colors only as shades of gray regardless of lighting. 

Canine Endurance

You are proficient in Athletics. Additionally you are able to travel twice the normal distance at a fast past without suffering the effects of exhaustion.