Homebrew Awakened Newfoundland Species Details

Not many people are sure where Newfoundlands come from. Their first recorded appearance was in the Fey-wild, though their nature seems far more mundane than the typical fauna there. Over the years, they appeared in increasing number in the Cold Lands, and people began to notice how docile and agreeable they were. Newfoundlands proved to be good guards, rescue animals, mode of transportation (in snowy regions), and excellent pets for families. After a time, the magically inclined began to take them on as familiars, and eventually began to awaken them. As to how they went from a few awakened dogs to a sentient race, however, is quite unclear. Some think that their magical nature allowed them to pass on their sentience to their descendants, while others thinks the benevolence of one or many of a wizard order granted them their minds via a powerful wish. In any case, Awakened Newfoundlands (or Newfs for short) have carved themselves a home in Faerûn, and don't appear to be leaving any time soon. 

-The Full Encyclopedia of Magical Items, Beings, and Realms, Marcus Augustus Antony IX

 

Typically found in the colder regions of Faerûn, Awakened Newfoundlands are resilient animals that form tight-knit bonds with friends and family alike. Nomadic in nature, Awakened Newfs love to explore and take in the world. Due to their wandering nature, they tend to gravitate towards professions that enable them to journey, no matter the destination.

Surviving the Cold Lands

For most creatures, surviving in the Cold Lands can be quite difficult. For an Awakened Newfoundland, however, this is a far simpler task. Their double coats allow them to keep warm in conditions that would debilitate most races, and their webbed paws allow them to hunt for fish far more efficiently than most races could. Not only does their biology assist them, but their social structure as well. Awakened Newfoundlands tend to live in tribes of anywhere from 10 to 50 adults and 30 to 100 pups, so resources are frequently shared to ensure the tribe's health.

Do Onto Others

Many scholars, Awakened Newfoundland and otherwise, agree that the passive nature and loyalty of Newfoundlands ensured their adoption into society. As such, kindness and loyalty are important virtues to an Awakened Newfoundland. Though belied by their stoic demeanor at times, they are incredibly compassionate and kind to all they meet, both due to their nature and in respect of those that came before them. This kind demeanor means that Awakened Newfoundlands rarely not of a good alignment, typically neutral or chaotic good. 

To those who threaten or attack them, however, Awakened Newfoundlands will seem far from kind. Their fierce loyalty causes them to be incredibly protective of their friends and things. When Awakened Newfs are threatened with violence against themselves or their compatriots , they are known to become incredibly aggressive. Though rare, the blind rage of an Awakened Newf is awesome and terrifying. 

Awakened Newfoundland Names

Newfoundland culture is an amalgamation of cultural ideas from various races (including their own). Because of this Newfoundland names tend to be composed of three parts: a given first name, typically a virtue or name of a hero (or a name deriving from one of these); a second name, earned in their rite of passage into adulthood; and a third family name, often derived from a territory name or famous land feature. 

Male Awakened Newfoundland Names: Justice, Valor/Valorous, Strength, Wisdom,  Clemency, Allegant, Comfort

Female Awakened Newfoundland Names: Charity, Faith, Hope, Mercy, Beauty, Chastity, Solace

Awakened Newfoundland Rite Names: Surefoot, Trueheart,  Keeneye, Firmhand

Awakened Newfoundland Family Names: Whiterock, Iceplain, Deephaven, Highpoint

Awakened Newfoundland Traits

Your Awakened Newfoundland character has the following traits:

Double Coat

Due to thickness of your coat, you are resistant to cold damage and vulnerable to fire damage. 

Ability Score increase

Your Strength score increases by 2.

Age

An Awakened Newfoundland matures like a normal dog, but their aging process all but halts at around age 3. Awakened Newfoundlands typically live around 80 years, resuming their aging within the last 10 to fifteen years a slower but noticeable rate compared to normal dogs. 

Size

Your size is Medium. The average male Awakened Newfoundland is approximately 3'/.9m tall (6'/1.8m tall on their hind legs), while the average female Awakened Newfoundland is nearly 2'5"/.7 and a half feet tall (5'5"/1.6m tall on their hind legs)

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Skilled Swimmer

Your base swim speed is 40 feet. Your swim speed is reduced by 10 feet if you are wearing medium armor, and reduced by an additional 10 if wearing heavy armor

Survivor

You are proficient in the Survival skill. 

Tooth and Claw

You can make unarmed attacks, either biting or clawing. These are considered natural weapons (unless otherwise specified by your DM) and deal 1d6+STR damage. You can only use one of these attacks per action (unless otherwise specified, e.g. Extra Attack)

No Hands

As standing upright is difficult for Awakened Newfoundlands is difficult, they rarely do so. This means that you can't wield a weapon with the two-handed, loading, or reach properties. When wielding a versatile weapon, treat the Awakened Newfoundland as wielding it with two hands. 

Languages

You can read Common and one other language, but cannot write due to your paws. You can speak telepathically with any creature up to 60 ft that speaks a language you speak. Despite not using your voice (with which you can only make dog noises), you voice telepathically is still deep and resonant.