Homebrew Dogfolk Species Details

“And why is that?”

At being asked that question again, I bared my teeth with a low growl. I didn’t know why I had to do this, other than some “friend” dragging me into this strange torture called Therapy.

“That’s the third time you’ve said that. Don’t make me repeat myself.”

“I’m trying to get you to go deeper—you said to devote yourself to these things is…” the woman looked at her notes, “…simply in your nature, cussing removed. But why is it in your nature? Why don’t you think you have a choice?”

“Why don’t I think I have a choice?! Maybe because I don’t! It’s in my nature because it’s what I’m supposed to do!”

“According to whom?”

”To everyone! The captain, the guards, even my wife—they all believe that it’s in my nature to be loyal, to be a follower, to be devoted to them. I follow orders because I have to, because if I want a place in this messed-up society, I have to do as I’m told. That’s why I do what I do, why I did what I did; because the captain told me to!” I paused for a moment, tears filling my eyes as I realized what I’d just said. “…How screwed up is that?”

The woman scribbled in her notes with a quill, nodding. “Now, tell me again—do you really think it’s in your nature to follow orders?

”…No. No, it’s not.”

 —How I went from a soldier to a therapist, by Cornelius Longfang

Loved by most for shallow, stereotypical reasons, Dogfolk continually have to fight the expectations of subservience put upon them. Once slaves for the rich, Dogfolk have only been freed for two generations. Some are pressured into being soldiers or servants, but others are able to buck a broken society’s expectations and live the lives that everyone else takes for granted. Whatever the case may be, Dogfolk have to fight their whole lives against the stigma of being loved for the wrong reasons.

 

 

 

The Struggle For Independence 

After a long fight for freedom, the Dogfolk have seemingly won—seemingly, because the aftershocks are still something to battle against every day. The world isn’t yet used to the Dogfolk being people, and that fact rears its ugly head in most interactions they have. Some say that, hey, it could be worse; at least the stereotypes make people like them. But others see all of these caricatures for what they are—disgusting.

Of course, one has to choose which hills they want to die on, and some see the resistance against their progress as a battle for other, more resilient people. Others see it as a vital fight, one that none have any choice but to choose a side for. Whatever the case may be, a Dogfolk’s existence is complex and painful, but the choice of either having your tail between your legs or your teeth bared and full is up to every individual to make.

Dogfolk Names

Dogfolk names have recently undergone a major change in their typicality, only as long as three generations ago. As movements to end Dogfolk servitude began to rise, Dogfolk showed their support through the naming of their children. Rather than continuing the short, easy-to-remember names they were usually given, parents would fight for their children to be called by royal, regal names. These parents knew that an end to the inequality was coming, and these children are living examples of their parents’ dreams coming true.

Dogfolk only recently began to have surnames, with most having been called by the last name of their owner. Most have undertaken nicknames as surnames, though some still have the surnames of ancestral slavers. If the latter is the case for your character, choose what race owned your character’s ancestors, and choose a surname from That race’s list.

Male Names: Cornelius, Augustine, Gerard, Christopher, Charlemagne

Female Names: Josephine, Tymphania, Stefania, Anastasia, Victoria

Last Names: Longfang, Strongtail, Sharptooth, Tornear, Wetnose

 

Dogfolk Traits

Dogfolk have been resilient for generations, and have learned the hard way how to get respect

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution increases by 2, and your Charisma increases by 1.

Darkvision

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.

Age

Dogfolk live and mature at the rate of humans, but live a few years less.

Alignment

Dogfolk tend towards lawful alignments from societal pressure, though some rebel, causing them to tend towards chaotic alignments. However, whether lawful, neutral, or chaotic, most tend towards good or neutral, with only the most pressured and angered becoming evil.

Size

Dogfolk are slightly shorter on average than humans and usually relatively buff. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Languages

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