Homebrew Shapeshifter Species Details

“I have dedicated the greater part of my life to ending the scourge of Shapeshifters across our land, and our nation’s lack of information about them is one of our greatest shames. It’s as though no one cares that they steal our souls, our very identities, and forge a dull mockery of us, without so much as a verbal formality. I aim to change that.”

— Archmage Ryskin Fieth

 

Appearance and Mystery

Few things can be defined with any degree of certainty about a Shapeshifter’s appearance, by their nature. They change from species to species so fast that escaping is easy for them, and any who have seen a Shapeshifter in action have not been able to pin them down for long enough to study them properly.

Two things, however, that are certain, are these: First, their appearance is consistent in each species. A Shapeshifter, for example, cannot shift into the form of a specific pre-existing human. Their appearance is unique to themself in every species.

Second, although this information is known to very few outside of Shapeshifters themselves, every shapeshifter has heterochromia.

 

Lands

Those who reside in any country are aware of shapeshifters’ existence, but no one knows from where they originate. Few have had even one conversation with a Shapeshifter, but even then, each time the Shapeshifters have kept the location of their home a closely guarded secret. Many suppose that they are nomads and travelers. Word comes of a sighted Shapeshifter every year or so, each time from a different country.

 

Social Structure

Shapeshifters that have been seen in the world are always seen alone. Those who dedicate any thought to the subject wonder whether this means Shapeshifters are as against keeping company with each other as they appear to be with non-shifters, or that they are a dying breed.

 

Names

Those who have shared conversations with Shapeshifters report that their names commonly follow a familiar first name, last name format, and that their names seem to like Y’s, X’s, R’s, and K’s. Recorded names include Kryn Volux, Shyra Racke, and Ekra Xyrador.

Shapeshifter Traits

Your Shapeshifter will have these traits

Age

While the accepted assumption is that Shapeshifters have a much lower lifespan than that of humans, your character will not have noticed aging at a different rate than that of humans.

Alignment

Your Shapeshifter will have adopted an alignment that fits with the way they were raised. You are unsure what other Shapeshifters’ Alignments are.

Size

You are a size Small or size Medium creature. You have more difficulty shifting into creatures which are size Large. 

Speed

Walking, Flying, and Swimming speed is up to 30ft. Smaller creatures will move more slowly.

Languages

You speak Common and one other language of your choice, but not while in the shape of any non-humanoid creature.

Namesake Ability

A Shapeshifter can change their appearance to and from a creature of their choice 2 times per long rest at Level one. At each Level Up, this amount increases by 1. A Shapeshifter may start the day in any form. If a Shapeshifter shifts from their first species to a second species, and then to a third species without returning to the first, they may only either return to the second species or stay in the third species until the next long rest.

A Shapeshifter has difficulty shapeshifting into creatures that are size Large or larger. 

Natural Form

A Shapeshifter is born in the form of any species. The form into which they were born is their natural form. You may choose any species, but you will not get any magical or ability benefits of this species.

Mimicry of Permanence

When you meet a new species, which you have never been in contact with before, you unlock that species as an option to shapeshift. Meeting a shapeshifter in the form of that species does not count. The amount of species that you have already met depend on your background. Farm livestock, city pets, or forest animals from your travels?

Heterochromia

Each of your eyes is a different color. Your choice. The colors stay the same no matter what form you assume.