Homebrew Wolven (Katagari) Species Details

Physical Description

Wolven are a fusion of human and Wolf traits. Their fur, short tails, canine faces, and most other physical characteristics suggest wolflike features and thus they are closer to wolf than man. However, their intelligence, larger size, and more bipedal posture suggest the influence of human traits. Wolven are closer to the size of a larger human and they usually have strength to match. They usually have more defined muscles than humans although they are still rather slender, keeping a very athletic appearance. Fur colors range from common black and brown to the more exotic colors such as russet or scarlet. White fur is usually a "sign" of inherent greatness culturally. Wolven age fast, reaching full adulthood in only 12 years. Although Wolven only have a slightly shorter lifespan than humans, their active nature and lifestyle mean they burn through their years faster than a human, putting their average lifespan at 70 years. Few careful and quieter Wolven may live to see 100 and usually hold roles as pack leaders and Alphas. Despite ageing fast, Wolven do not feel the usual effects of old age until a year or so before their death, many still adventuring within the last year of their life.

History

Wolven are direct descendants from a long forgotten Ranger who made a pact with an unknown being to share the traits of the Wolf companions he had throughout his life.. It is written in legend that the being eventually betrayed this Ranger known as the First Wolven, resulting in his downfall, but not before creating others like him through mating with others. These people and their ancestors grew to become the Wolven race. All Wolflings still grow up having a deep fear of the ancient being they call The Ender, reappearing and destroying their race.

Society

Wolven are extremely confident, headstrong, and upbeat. Their boastful presence might dismay common folk and be found disrespectful by upper class citizens, however; Wolven hold a firm loyalty to those who have proven to be in service to the pack.

Wolven usually live in small, communities known as packs. Leadership roles are often held either by the Lead Female known as a Queen or by the strongest male, known as the Alpha. Their word is law and all members must follow it or risk death or banishment. In the traditional sense, Wolven do not have "families" and usually have a pack mentality due to this. They do however, mate for life.

Wolven found outside the normal communities (known as Omegas) either from being banished or simply wanderlust have an easy time adjusting to the "easy" life of cities. Finding work in such places comes easy due to the adaptability of the race. They are generally in labor given jobs.

 

Most Wolven adventurers tend to be more independent than their kin at home, but still hold on a lot to their sense of loyalty. Naturally energetic and overtly eager, spending their time standing still is against their nature unless they are hunting. Then their patience has no equal.

There is a Great Council who decides on Matters involving the whole of the Katagari Clan, that must be abided by or severe punishments are generally handed out. Every Wolven who comes of age must trek to the Great Council if they wish to be inducted and protected by the Katagari Clan. This council is headed by the one known as The Savitar, a being of immense power and who most Katagari consider their Guardian or Deity. He has been known to wipe out entire families of Katagari for breaking rules set forth by the council. He appears every few decades, and calls upon all Katagari for a great meet located in the ancestral home of Hanalea.

Wolven Names

Wolven live in a more primal part of the world, so the names they have are normally of the more archaic variety with simpler rules; Males ending their names in an A, and Females ending their names in an I.

Male: Koda, Vulka, Tora

Female: Akali, Natiri, Shivari

Wolven (Katagari) Traits

A race of nimble and strong wolf-like people.

Size

Wolven are taller but weigh about as much as most humans. Your size is Medium.

Alignment

Wolven love for the hunt and energetic personalities often cause them to be more chaotic.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 40 feet. You can move through Difficult Forest Terrain at normal speed due to your nature.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 1, and your Strength score by 2.

Age

Wolven mature faster than humans, reaching adulthood by the age of 12, and commonly live to be around 75 years old.

Empty Stomach

You burn through your energy faster than most humanoids and must eat twice as much as a normal human requires each day.

Wolf Skills

You have Expertise in Athletics. You can smell, see, and hear better than most humanoids, to the extent that you can sniff out Invisible Beings in a 30 foot area around yourself, see in the dark in full color (Enhanced Darkvision), and can track creatures through your enhanced senses at advantage. You also cannot be surprised by anything you can see, smell or hear within 30 feet while you are awake. 

Language

You can speak, read and write Common and one other language of your choice.

Claws & Teeth

As a Wolven you gain the ability to make unarmed strikes with your claws and bite down with your teeth