Homebrew Wererat Species Details

History

Stories tell of a benevolent god that, thousands of years ago, used primitive humanoid tribes to create the first lycanthropes, providing them with qualities of the animals they admired. Other stories tell of a blessing to a group of young warriors to help them survive the battles in their land. Either way, these ancient bloodlines have been spread through the ages both as a disease (afflicted) and birth (natural).

Society

Most natural wererats view their condition as a gift and tend to live in "mischief" villages far from civilization. From birth, they are trained to master their lycanthropy. Afflicted wererats, on the other hand, are more likely to be horrified by their condition and attempt to find a cure. Unlike the afflicted, natural wererats cannot be "cured" nor can they spread the disease; it is innate, forever a part of who they are. However, all wererats are usually secretive about their condition because of the social stigma attached to it. As such, many who leave their "mischief" tend to end up as lonely adventurers. 

Physical Description

Wererats have a human form, beast form, and hybrid form:

• Their human form is their “true” form. In humanoid form, wererats appear no different than their original humanoid species. However, they can disguise themselves somewhat through their shape-shifting abilities, taking on a form almost identical to a humanoid but with subtle details revealing their true nature, such as pointed teeth or long fingernails.
• Their beast form is a perfect reflection of the beast blood that courses through their veins except for the unusual spark of intelligence in their eyes.
• In their hybrid form, wererats resemble their original race except with fur covering their entire body, elongated fingers and nails, elongated feet, and the head of the beast. They can understand speech and speak, but it is more guttural and slow.

 Names

Wererat names can vary and are usually based on their humanoid race.

Wererat (Werewolf Variant) Traits

Fortitude, agility, and keen senses make for a mighty combination in this race. But beware the temptation to lose control.

Origin Race

Your humanoid form is a perfect reflection of your original humanoid race. However, you can disguise yourself somewhat through utilizing your shape-shifting abilities, taking on a form almost identical to your humanoid form but with subtle details revealing your true nature, such as pointed teeth or long fingernails.

• Your age, height, weight, and general appearance in humanoid form are determined by your origin race.
• You gain no racial traits, additional benefits, or proficiencies from your origin race, as Lycanthrope is your race now.
• Origin Races available: Dwarf, Elf, Gnome, Goliath, Half-Elf, Halfling, Orc, Half Orc, Tefling, Kenku, Firbolg, Kobold, Tortle, Centaur, and Human.

Ability Score Improvement

Your Dexterity scire increases by 2 and your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Skills

You have proficiency in Stealth and Survival skills.

Age

Although wererats reach physical maturity at about the same age as humans, the regenerative ability granted to them through infliction often allows them to live three times as Elfs.

Alignment

A wererat's alignment can be either good or evil, or anything in between. Some choose to embrace the beast inside and succumb to the bloodlust, while others choose to live in harmony with their beast. 

Size

Your Humanoid and Beast form sizes are based on your origin race or species of beast. However, your Hybrid form size is usually between 2 to 3 feet taller and twice the weight of your humanoid form. In Hybrid form, your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 35 feet. However, in your hybrid or beast form, your speed is increased to 40 feet.

Keen Senses

You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.

Darkvision

A combination of being accustomed to the night sky and the beast blood coursing through your veins, 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. 

Lycanthrope Fortitude

There is only enough room for one intruder in your body...and the beast will always wins. You are immune to disease. You have advantage on saving throws against poison, and you have resistance against poison damage.

Transformation

You can take an action to change into your hybrid or beast form. You can use this feature twice. You regain expended uses when you finish a long rest. You can revert to your humanoid form by using a bonus action on your turn. You automatically revert if you fall unconscious, drop to 0 hit points, or die.

• While in hybrid form:
  • You retain your humanoid character statistics and you can wield weapons as normal.
  • You cannot wear armor. You can choose to have the equipment you are wearing to either merge into your form or be dropped to the ground. You gain no benefit from equipment that is merged into your form. Your Armor Class equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier + your Constitution modifier. You can use a shield and still gain this benefit.
  • You can understand and speak languages that you are familiar with, but your speech is more guttural and slow.
  • When unarmed, you have a 1d6 Claw attack. On a successful Claw attack, you may use your Bonus Action to make an additional 1d4 Bite attack on the same target.

• While in beast form:
  • Your statistics and armor class are replaced by the statistics of a Giant Rat, but you retain your Alignment, and Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores. You also retain all of your skill and saving throw proficiencies.
  • You cannot wear armor or wield weapons. You can choose to have the equipment you are wearing to either merge into your form or be dropped to the ground. You gain no benefit from equipment that is merged into your form.
  • You can't cast spells, and your ability to speak or take any action that requires hands is limited to the capabilities of your beast form.
  • You have a 1d4 Bite and 1d6 Claw attack. On a successful claw attack, you may use your Bonus Action to make an additional claw attack on the same target.

Silver Weakness

You are vulnerable to silvered weapons in all forms.

Languages

Wererat Traits

Fortitude, agility, and keen senses make for a mighty combination in this race.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity increases by 2, and Wisdom score increases by 1.

Skills

You have proficiency in Stealth and Survival skills, from the rat instincts have enhanced.

Keen Senses

Your increased sense smell gives you advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell

 

Darkvision

A combination of being accustomed to the night sky and the beast blood coursing through your veins, 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.

Lycanthrope Fortitude

There is only enough room for one intruder in your body...and the beast will always wins. You are immune to disease. You have advantage on saving throws against poison, and you have resistance against poison damage.

 

Transformation

• You can take an action to change into your hybrid or beast form. You can use this feature twice. You regain expended uses when you finish a long rest. You can revert to your humanoid form by using a bonus action on your turn. You automatically revert if you fall unconscious, drop to 0 hit points, or die.

  • While in hybrid form:
    • You retain your humanoid character statistics and you can wield weapons as normal.
    • You cannot wear armor. You can choose to have the equipment you are wearing to either merge into your form or be dropped to the ground. You gain no benefit from equipment that is merged into your form. Your Armor Class equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier + your Constitution modifier. You can use a shield and still gain this benefit.
    • You can understand and speak languages that you are familiar with, but your speech is more guttural and slow.
    • When unarmed, you have a 1d6 Claw attack. On a successful Claw attack, you may use your Bonus Action to make an additional 1d4 Bite attack on the same target.
  • While in beast form:
    • Your statistics and armor class are replaced by the statistics of a Rat, but you retain your Alignment, Hit Points, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores. You also retain all of your skill and saving throw proficiencies.
    • You cannot wear armor or wield weapons. You can choose to have the equipment you are wearing to either merge into your form or be dropped to the ground. You gain no benefit from equipment that is merged into your form.
    • Your ability to speak or take any action that requires hands is limited to the capabilities of your beast form.
    • You have a 1d4 Bite and 1d6 Claw attack. On a successful claw attack, you may use your Bonus Action to make an additional claw attack on the same target.

Silver Weakness

Sense of your Lycanthropy you are weak to all forms of silver sense of it's shape shifting slaying abilities.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and one extra language.