Homebrew Lupine Species Details

“We who are dominant tend to think of that aspect of being a lupine as rank: who is obeyed, who is to obey. Dominant and submissive. But it is also who is to protect and who is to be protected. A submissive lupine is not incapable of protecting himself: they can fight, they can kill as readily as any other. But a submissive doesn't feel the need to fight -- not the way a dominant does. They are a treasure in a pack. A source of purpose and of balance. Why does a dominant exist? To protect those beneath them, but protecting a submissive is far more rewarding because a submissive will never wait until you are wounded or your back is turned to see if you are truly dominant to them. Submissive lupines can be trusted. And they unite the pack with the goal of keeping them safe and cared for.”

— Isha Qualeir, Darkwood Alpha.

Living separated from society, lupines are cunning hunters, wise observers, and vigilant defenders. Lupines use their innate gifts to protect their tribe's sacred land. However, there are a few who break the mold and venture out into the world.

Canine Caste

Despite their common name, lupines can be wolf like, fox like, or even hyena like. They appear as anthropomorphic canines ranging from less than five feet tall to over six feet. Lupines come in great varieties of colors, some with dark and light grey fur and others with warm brown or red coats. They live in groups called tribes that range from 50 - 200 people. Although they can be very different, lupines often boil down to the same core ideals.

Wandering Nomads

Although rare, lupines can be found in almost any environment. Wether that environment be frozen tundra, packed forest, or dry desert, a tribe is constantly moving from season to season. Tribes may claim over two thousand square miles of land, and patrol it for any outsiders. Lupines consider that land, no matter what it may be, sacred. This results in that territory being beautiful unspoiled nature, sustained for thousands of years due to the cycles of life being constantly checked by the humble guardians that protect it.  Lupines take only what they need, and let the rest maintain to keep the balance. 

Lupines let very few passage through their holy grounds, it being an honor to be trusted enough to have entrance granted. This results in very few humanoids knowing their history, and many others seeking to destroy and harvest the bounties of their land.

Virtuous Community

Every lupine community is built on the foundations of trust and companionship, with some more closely knit than others. Communities start teaching these values to pups as soon as they are born, until they reach adulthood by fifteen. In a group with weak government, the only way the tribe survives is through that trust. Lupines work to share food and material goods, give to those who are less fortunate, and to protect those who can't protect themselves. Trust also makes for great teamwork, lupine hunting parties being efficient workers and warriors. These ancient teachings are what make their communities so strong, and how lupines have been able to drive away outside forces for so long. A lupine would be ready to die fighting for a friend. However, betraying that trust is the worst crime a lupine can commit. Once broken, a bond could be gone forever.

The strongest bonds in lupine society come from spouses. Friendship and loyalty are strong, but the passion of love is stronger. When two lupines wed, the entire community celebrates for two weeks. Once bonded in this way, the two lupines will share their love and loyalty until death. Should a lupine be killed, the mate will unleash their wrath on whoever or whatever was the cause.

Most lupine tribe systems involve a hierarchy system similar to that of a wolf pack. There are alphas and omegas, dominant and submissive lupines. Lupines who have a dominant attitude make good leaders and representatives. However, submissive lupines often are the ones who make the choices that the leader carries out, as they are less likely to serve themselves. In all, dominant and submissive are just attitudes in a tribe. Lupines will be whatever they need to be for the pack to flourish.

Renegades

Most lupines are content with living normal lives protecting their territory. However, there are a few who seek more in life. Renegades are lupines who desire to leave the territory of the tribe and take part of the world. Lupines don't have much trust for other humanoids, and renegades often try their best to prove everyone else wrong. Renegades often are excited to discover the cultures and knowledge of the societies that they have never interacted with before. They return with stories of the world, undiscovered knowledge, and sometimes even riches, encouraging others to do the same. Some renegades chose to become adventurers seeking to bring back wealth and arcane secrets. Other lupines resist the call of the hunt and simply become scholars or priests, living a life of safety. No matter what path is chosen, the renegade is still a part of the tribe, and is celebrated when returning from the outside world. However, the outside world isn't as welcoming as it may seem.

Unpleasant Superstitions

Lupines don't interact with others humanoids often. When a lupine is seen by someone who has no knowledge of them, one might mistake them for a werewolf. This results in panic, fear, and anger to instantly set in when a lupine encounters anyone else. Even if it is proven that the lupine is not a lycanthrope, the superstitions of the people around them will still cause violence to break out. Lynchings, murders, and blackmail have all happened to lupines traveling through the rural countryside. This, in addition to the people trying to destroy their land for profit, is the reason why many lupines view other races as enemies. However, there are a few who try to prove them wrong. Lupine adventurers often become lycanthrope hunters to prove their innocence and to gain the trust of the people around them.

When you make your character, consider what may have caused them to leave their tribe. Are you driven by curiosity? Is there something you want? Where you forced out by others? What do you plan to do in the outside world? Make sure to talk to your DM to piece together your origin and how it fits into the campaign.

Lupine Names

Each lupine has two names. One is chosen by the lupine's parents, the other chosen by the tribe as a whole. The name chosen by the parents is used more commonly in everyday life. The second name is only used in ceremonies and celebrations. Each tribe is different, and has it's own name as well. Tribe names are usually based on a geographical feature located in or near the tribe's territory.

The following is a list of male and female lupine names, tribe chosen names, and tribe names.

Male Names: Aldosyne, Baern, Croseril, Diomastus, Erobas, Flardryn, Flint, Gardain, Gephit, Harbek, Ivorja, Kildrak, Ivones, Mexox, Nesterin, Oquiel, Prej, Rudeplo, Shemchu, Tamnaeth, Thyre Ulfgar, Vondal

Female Names: Alais, Bardryn, Chipelo, Delala, Diesa, Eldeth, Falkrunn, Fumsemu, Gayle, Gwynnestri, Hlin, Ida, Ilde, Kathra, Kristryd, Liftrasa, Maple, Melarue, Riswynn, Siraye, Sophomeda Torbera, Zenthier

Tribe Chosen Names: Alamrqe, Barrunaacsee, Canazil, Dyvel, Eulter, Flax, Gazupine, Koseen, Lorench Nolpecker, Owo, Qesseex, Relgshunto, Shigmund, Spidena, Takoth, Tonkwiel, Veranda, Zeltor

Tribe Names: Brightpeak, Blackspring, Crescent coast, Darkwood, Greatfall, Hightree, Jadeleaf, Mistspawn, Redwall, Rainflat, Sunrock, Thunderdune, Undercliff, Waveright

Lupine Traits

Your lupine character has the following racial traits.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Most lupines have lifespans equivalent to humans but reach adulthood more quickly, being fully grown at age 13. However, there are a few who can live as long as elves called the "Elderna"

Alignment

Lupines tend toward lawful alignments, as they believe in trust and companionship. They are rarely evil, with most of them driven by self reliance or an urge to help rather than greed or maliciousness.

Size

Lupines come in many different shapes and sizes. Some are less than 5 feet tall, others well over 6. They can weigh from 120 - 300 lbs. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Hunter's Talent

Having been born into a constantly moving group, you have learned the ways of the land to aid yourself in the wilds. You have proficiency in one of the following skills of your choice: Athletics, Stealth, Perception, or Survival.

Hightened Senses

You have evolved with keen senses that allow you to detect things others can't. You have advantage on Perception and Investigation checks relying on hearing and smell. At your DM's discretion, you may pick up scents and follow trails like as a wolf or a dog would. In addition, you have disadvantage on Constitution saving throws that rely on those senses, such as a Thunderwave or a Stinking Cloud.

Nature's Gifts

You are born with fur and weapons that aid you in you everyday life. They grant you the following benefits: Your fur provides all of the effects of cold weather gear during winter, and you can attempt to hide even when you are only lightly obscured by foliage, heavy rain, falling snow, mist, and other natural phenomena. In addition, your jaws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Pack Tactics

You are accustomed to working with others in your pack, and excel at teamwork. You can use the Help action as a bonus action. Additionally, when you use the Help action to aid an ally in attacking a creature, the target of that attack can be within 10 feet of you, rather than within 5 feet of you, if the target can see or hear you.

Languages

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