Homebrew Beastkin Species Details

BEASTFOLK

Whether born or cursed to the form, beastfolk are a collection of humanoid races that each bear strong resemblance to an animal. Due to the dizzying variety of animals in the world, and beastfolk that take after them, as a whole beastfolk have few common bonds.

They may form small communities, particularly if they all resemble the same animal, but often times they live on the edges of civilization and only interact with those with the insight to see beastfolk are at least as much human as they are animal.

BORN & RAISED

The largest segment of beastfolk are born that way. In most beastfolk families all members resemble the same species of animal and these are the beastfolk most likely to form communities with others. These beastfolk grow up outside of settlements with other humanoids and typically have little if any contact with other races before they begin their life of adventuring. Born and raised beastfolk tend to strike out adventuring when their communities are threatened, destroyed, or are forced into contact with the wider world.

CURSED & BROKEN

Fewer than the naturalborn beastfolk are the unfortunate souls who were cursed to the shape.

Whether they transgressed against the gods, crossed a foul-tempered spellcaster, or provoked a curse from a sorcerous relic, these beastfolk began their life as something else. Beastfolk who are cursed to the form may have been adventurers before they took on their bestial appearance. Regardless of when or how, many beastfolk's adventuring career consists of looking for a way to reverse the curse and return to their old selves. Some rare beastfolk eventually grow accustomed to their new shape and abandon or even reject attempts to return to their old form.

BREED TRUE

All beastfolk have a physical resemblance to a particular animal. Amongst their own kind they call this resemblance their breed. Beastfolk derive many benefits from their breed, from natural aptitudes with certain abilities and skills to the ability to fly, breathe water, or even use echolocation.

Beastkin Traits

BEASTKIN TRAITS

Ability Score Increase

Increase one ability score of your choice by 2 and a different ability score of your choice by 1.

Wild and Free.

Wild and Free.

You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed.

All Creatures Under the Sun.

All Creatures Under the Sun.

Gain 2 breed traits of your choice.

natural weapon (Breed trait 1)

Natural Weapon.

You have a natural weapon that you are proficient in. This could be a bite, claw, quill, club tail, or other bestial feature. You can choose to add your strength or dexterity modifier to the attack roll and deal 1d4 + strength or dexterity modifier damage. The damage type should be selected when you take this trait; bludgeoning, piercing, poison, or slashing damage.

Scalekin. You have a swim speed equivalent to your walking speed and can breathe in air and water.

Keen sense (breed trait 2)

Keen Senses.

Gain proficiency in the Perception skill and choose one sense. You gain advantage on Perception rolls that utilize that sense.