Homebrew Beornings (Skin-Changer) Species Details

Beornings are rugged men with brawny arms and legs, and lively women with undaunted eyes. Their spirit is reflected in their appearance: the women have long, wild hair and the men unkempt beards. Born free, they pay no tribute nor bow to any crown, keeping at peace the strip of land they have chosen as their own. All foes of the Beornings are mortal foes, but friends who prove to be trustworthy are friends for life.

Beorning Names The Northmen inhabiting the Vales of the Anduin River speak the same language and share a common vocabulary of personal names. The Beornings and the Woodmen favour different names, but they are set apart especially by their peculiar use of bynames and nicknames. The Beornings are gradually embracing the custom of choosing names honouring their renowned chieftain, either by having a B as the first letter or containing the word for Bear (for example, Balderic, Beranald, Beormud). They further individualise their names by adding a byname, referring to their provenances or occupations, or physical or temperamental qualities (Arnulf the Old, Berangar the Eloquent). Bynames are often bestowed by an event, especially if connected to a special feat of skill or deed of renown.

Male Names: Adalard, Ageric, Agilfrid, Agiulf, Alaric, Alberic, Amalric, Amand, Andagis, Atalaric, Atanagild, Ansegisel, Ansovald, Aregisel, Arnulf, Audovald, Avagis, Badegisel, Baldac, Balderic, Barald, Beorn, Beran, Beranald, Berangar, Bertefried, Beormud, Cilderic, Eberulf, Eboric, Ebregisel, Ebrimuth, Ediulf, Ermanaric, Euric, Eutaric, Evermud, Evoric, Frideger, Gararic, Garivald, Geberic, Gisalric, Gerold, Grimald, Grimbald, Grimbeorn, Grimfast, Gundovald, Hartgard, Hartmut, Hartnid, Hathus, Heriwulf, Hildebald, Imnachar, Ingelram, Ingund, Iwald, Iwgar, Leudast, Magneric, Malaric, Maracar, Merovech, Munderic, Odo, Odovacar, Otbert, Ragnacar, Ramnulf, Rathar, Reginar, Ricfried, Rigunth, Roderic, Sigeric, Sigibert, Sunnegisil, Theodard, Theodebert, Theodemir, Theodwin, Theudebald, Theuderic, Thorismund, Walcaud, Waleran,Widuven, Willicar, Wulferd.

Female Names: Adosinda, Amalfrida, Amalina, Avagisa, Avina, Beranhild, Brunihild, Gailavira, Garsendis, Geleswinta, Gelvira, Grimhild, Hermesind, Heva, Hilduara, Radegund.

Bynames: from or of a specific place (Baldac from the High Pass, Beran of the Mountains), the Bald, the Black, the Bold, the Captain, the Cloaked, the Crooked, the Eloquent, the Foresighted, the Good, the Good-sword, the Loyal, the Old, the Pugnacious, the Quick-witted, the Quiet, the Red, of the Red-shield, the Rich, the Runner, the Sad, the Sharp, the Smith, the Thin, the Trouble-maker, the Wise, the Young.

Standard of Living

The Beornings sustain themselves by breeding cattle and horses and keeping hives of great bees. Recently, Beorn is considering requesting a safe-passage toll from all travellers crossing their lands. For the moment, though, the Beorning culture ranks as Martial.

 

Beornings (Skin-Changer) Traits

Your Beorning character has the following traits.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Beornings are quick to mature both physically and emotionally, reaching young adulthood at age 14. They rarely live to be more than 80 years old.

Alignment

Beornings tend toward neutrality, being more focused on survival than concepts of good and evil. A love of personal freedom can drive beornings toward chaotic alignments.

 

Size

Beornings are between 7 and 8 feet tall and weigh between 280 and 340 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Keen Senses

You have proficiency in the Perception skill.

Bear Form

Beornings can use its action to polymorph into a medium bear, or back into its true form, which is humanoid. Its statistics are the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn't transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies. When you shift, you gain temporary hit points equal to your level + your Constitution modifier (minimum of 1 temporary hit point). In this form you can understand common but not speak it (unless you have class abilities that allow it)

While in this form, a Beorning use class abilities except spellcasting and ranged weapon attacks. When a class ability specifies the use of a weapon, a Beorning in Bear form can use its bite attack instead. Note: this does not apply to Pact of the Blade and Hexblade Warlocks. Consult your DM if uncertain. 

In bear form, you gain a bite attack that deal 1d6 + Strength damage, and advantage on athletics to grapple while in that form. 

Once you use this ability, you can’t do so again until you finish a short or long rest.

Powerful Build

You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.

Darkvision

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.

 

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Sylvan.