Homebrew Zooanthrope Species Details

Are they man? Are they beast? They are neither and both - they are Zooanthropes. Made from exploitation of nature and seeking to either atone for their ancestors' sins, or replicate them, Zooanthropes come in all shapes and sizes. They appear as humans with animal heads and features.

Who Were They Then?

The story of the Zooanthropes started with an ancient order of humans called the Primals, so called because of their connection with nature. It was the Primals who first perfected the druidic arts, forming a relationship with the god of nature, Teva'el. However, over the course of a century, the Primals grew arrogant and blasphemous, forgoing any relation to Teva'el and demanding that all existence bow to them. This angered the usually calm Teva'el, who cursed the Primals with animalistic forms and taking the knowledge of druidic magic, as well as their racial identity, from them. Recently, these newly-named "Zooanthropes" have rediscovered their old history as the Primals, and seek to re-establish their roots to nature, hoping to win Teva'el's good graces again.

Who Are They Now?

The Zooanthropes now form a mutual relationship with the natural and the artificial, living reclusive lives with established hierarchies and roles to play. With the advent of adventurers and the Zooanthropes' rediscovery, however, some Zooanthropes are choosing to travel the world and see how the world lives without them. Many of these travellers have become quite successful, with some even founding their own cities abroad.

Note From The Editor

When I originally created the Zooanthropes, my plan was for each subrace (Mammal, Arthropod, Reptile, Bird and Fish) to have a certain ability score increase. Looking back, that was not my best idea. There are too many different types of animals to place into five categories, and doing so would force certain animals into certain roles. For example, a Rhino-person with a STR increase makes sense. A Mouse-person with a STR increase doesn't as much. Mammals are not all towering behemoths. In a similar vein, a Snake-person with a INT increase fits thematically. A Crocodile-person with an INT increase doesn't at all. Reptiles are not all cunning schemers. What's more, this mere selection of five discounts the amphibians and invertebrates, as well as many more types of animals too numerous to mention. Ultimately, the original Zooanthropes were an excellent idea, ultimately let down by my need for categorisation. I hope that this new version of Zooanthropes allows for greater customisation.

Zooanthrope Traits

As a Zooanthrope, you gain the head, and other minor features, of an animal of your choice, as well as the following traits:

Ability Score Increase

All Zooanthropes are shaped by their experiences and their unique physiology. Your Constitution score increases by 1, and two other ability scores of your choice also increase by 1. These can be the same score.

Alignment

Due to their human ancestry, their propensity for good, evil, law and chaos is shared with humans, and they can run the whole gamut.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30ft.

Languages

You can speak, read and write Common and one other language. Zooanthropes speak a specific dialect of Common called Zoon. It is one of the only things that all Zooanthropes share.

Darkvision

Your keen animal eyes let you see in darkness as if it was dim light, and in dim light as if it was bright light. You can't discern colours in darkness, only shades of grey.

Animal Travel

Your animalistic heritage allows you to travel new ways. Choose between 15ft flying speed, 25ft swimming speed, 25ft climbing speed, or +5ft walking speed.

Natural Weapon

Your animal features allow you to attack in new ways. You gain a natural weapon in the form of claws, jaws or sheer size, which counts as an unarmed strike. If you hit with it, you deal either piercing, slashing or bludgeoning damage equal to 1d6 + either your Strength or Dexterity modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.