Homebrew Beast Tribes Species Details

The Beast Tribes

The Beast Tribes are a collection of humanoid races that exhibit animal-like features. Furthermore if they are in possession of a special stone, known as a Beast Stone, they may transform into a hybrid creature and reap the benefits of this form. All of the Beast Tribes have had problems with other races in the past and as such they prefer to keep to themselves and their tribes. The Beast Tribes are friendly with other Beast Tribes, however they always consider their own Tribe to be more superior.

Creature Culture

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The Beast Tribes live in secluded areas away from most civilizations, as they prefer to live in the natural world rather than the urban civilizations. Being part animal in nature, they obviously have strong ties to nature itself. The beast tribes have strong familial ties and would never risk harming anyone from their own tribe. It is not common for members of the Beast Tribes to leave the safety of their society, but on occasion a few are selected to act as a representative of their needs. Those that willingly choose to leave their society are much less common and mostly do so out of curiosity of the outside world.

Precious Stones

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The Beast Tribes take very special care of their Beaststones or Dragonstones as it is not only a weapon but a symbol of their animal side. Whilst in possession of a Beaststone or Dragonstone the Beast Tribesman may access its power to shift into a stronger animal-like creature. Only those deemed worthy from the warriors and elders of each of their tribes may keep possession of a stone. It is not common knowledge how the Beast Tribes obtain these stones, some believe that they physically create it, some believe that they mine it from somewhere. Irregardless, Beast Tribe villages keep possession of them and are not willing to hand them out to outsiders.

 

Beast Tribe Characteristics

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Your Beast Tribesman has certain characteristics in common with all other Beast Tribes.

Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 1.

Cornered Beast. once per long rest, if you drop to 0 hit points, choose to drop to 1 instead.

Age. The beast tribes age at the same rate as humans , but live up to five times longer.

Alignment. All of the Beast Tribe can be considered lawful as they have their own code of conduct that is specific to their own tribe.

Size. Beast tribe members range from under 5 to over 7 feet tall depending on their subrace. While Lions, Wolves and Tigers are taller, and stockier, Cats and Kitsune's seem to have slimmer, and shorter builds. Your size is Medium.

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.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Languages. You can speak, read and write Common.

Speak with Similar Creatures Every single Beast Tribesman has a kinship with the creature they can transform into. Thus Beast Tribesmen are able to speak and understand any creature that you can transform into. So a Kitsune can coverse with foxes and a Wolfskin can converse with wolves.

Beast Form All beast tribe members, regardless of which tribe you belong to, can shift into a beast form as long as they are in possession of a Beaststone. The summary of the differences between the beast forms is shown in the Beast Form table below. More details are written in their respective subrace sections.

Kitsune

The Kitsune are a species of creatures that are able to take on either a humanoid or fox-like appearance. In their humanoid form, various fox-like features are evident, such as their tail and fox ears. While in the possession of a beast stone they are able to transform into a fox-like creature during battle. There is a legend that a Kitsune can have 9 tails and is said to be stronger than any other Kitsune. Whether or not there is truth behind that is yet to be discovered.

The Kitsune are a mischievous playful race that seems to just enjoy life and playing mischievous tricks. Like the Cat Beast Tribe, the Kitsune are likely to be found in urban settlements living with other races. Their naturally playful nature and curiosity is what drives them out to explore the world. Often causing more trouble than not because of their antics. Few are more tricky than the average Kitsune. They have a strong rivalry with the Wolfskin tribe, and often enter short wars with them over territory and food.

Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score increases by 2.

Mischievously Nosey. You are naturally proficient in the investigation skill

Beast Form. You may use an action to transform into a large quadrupedal fox-like creature if you are in possession of a Beaststone. You gain enough mass to grow up to 8 tails when you transform. You may use an action to revert back to humanoid form. Whilst in this form you gain and lose the following features:

• The usage of spells and weapons are no longer available whilst you remain in this form. Reverting back to humanoid form will allow you access to these features once again.
• You become proficient in unarmed strikes. Your unarmed strikes deal 1d4 slashing damage and you have 12 AC.
• Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for any Beast Abilities.
• Foxfire: You may use a bonus action or an action to create Foxfire. If you use an action you can create 3 Foxfires, if you use a bonus action you can create only 1 Foxfire. As part of your action or bonus action in creating the Foxfire, you may choose to launch it as a spell attack with a range of 20ft. Otherwise you may use a bonus action in subsequent turns to use this attack. Each Foxfire deals 1d4 fire damage if it comes into contact with any creature. Foxfire persists until you revert back to human form, used to attack or willingly dismissed. The damage of each Foxfire increases to 2d4 at 6th level and 3d4 at 11th level.

Wolfskin

The Wolfskin tribe are territorial and normally reside in the mountains. Normally suspicious of strangers, they do not like unexpected surprises. Like the other beast tribes, they may adopt a humanoid form and a beast form that resembles a wolf. Wolfskin naturally possess heightened senses compared to other beast tribes, much more so other humanoids. Often confused for werewolves, the Wolfskin tend to avoid other settlements for this very reason.

The Wolfskin tend to be guarded and wary of people they do not know yet they make strong lasting friendships with people they respect. Their strong loyalty to one another has made them life-long friends and guardians. Imprinting is rare but possible characteristic that may happen to the Wolfskin. However pride is usually what makes the odd Wolfskin abandon his tribe for they may be loyal, but pride is what governs a Wolfskin’s motivations. Due to sharing the same prey, they often go to war with the kitsune tribe, out of necessity for their people.

Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by 2.

Pack Hunter. You are naturally attuned to fighting in a group, you gain advantage on any enemy that has been hit by a melee attack on their turn. Due to their acute senses, they are able to pick up on subtle hints from their pack. This is all in order to successfully complete the hunt. They are naturally proficient in insight.

Beast Form. You may use an action to transform into a large bipedal wolf-like creature if you are in possession of a Beaststone. You retain enough mass to grow 2 feet larger when you transform. You may use an action to revert back to humanoid form. Whilst in this form you gain and lose the following features:

• The usage of spells and weapons are no longer available whilst you remain in this form. Reverting back to humanoid form will allow you access to these features once again.
• You become proficient in unarmed strikes. Your unarmed strikes deal 1d6 slashing damage and you have 14 AC.
• Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for any Beast Abilities.
• Terror Howl: You may use an action to let out a terrible howl. Creatures within 10 feet of yourself that aren’t regarded as friendly, must succeed on a Constitution Saving Throw or be frightened of you until the end of their next turn.

Royal Lions

Lions are regarded as the strongest members of the Tribes. As national traditions mandate that only those possessing supreme strength are deemed fit to rule, Lions are therefore recognized as the leaders of the the beast tribes by both cats and tigers alike. A small segment of the Lions make up the royal family that presides over the laws of the beast tribes. They are proud, arrogant, and sometimes cruel, however strictly adhere to their codes of law, and honor. They pride themselves on their unbreakable courage, and immovable strength.

The Lions may follow a color hierarchy of strength that is determined by the color of their fur. The lower tier of the Lion community is comprised of many colors under the sun. A tier does not get a distinct color up until we get to the more important structures in their society. Shamans tend to be green furred, while merchants and commoners tick to their traditional, planes like gold and brown. Black lions number the royal defense of this beast tribe, and tend to become generals or important political figures. Royalty is blessed with crimson red fur, that seems to be stained in the blood of those who wish to attack their homeland.

Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 2.

Born to Conquer. You are naturally proficient in intimidation.

Beast Form. You may use an action to transform into a large bipedal Lion-like creature if you are in possession of a Beaststone. You retain enough mass to grow 2 feet larger when you transform. You may use an action to revert back to humanoid form. Whilst in this form you gain and lose the following features:

• The usage of spells and weapons are no longer available whilst you remain in this form. Reverting back to humanoid form will allow you access to these features once again.
• You become proficient in unarmed strikes. Your unarmed strikes deal 1d6 slashing damage and you have 16 AC.
• Strength is your spellcasting ability for any Beast Abilities.
• Pride of the Lion: You may use an action grant yourself temporary HP equal to your Strength score, and class level.

Junglewalkers

One of many Beast Tribes, Tigers, alongside cats, are not positioned on the higher tiers of the social hierarchy of the Tribes as compared to lion s.This is attributed to the existence of national traditions mandating that only those possessing supreme strength are deemed fit to rule; Lions are known to have fulfilled this criteria and are therefore recognized as the country's leaders, with a small group serving as the its royal family. Within the events of forestation and the removal of jungles, only a small handful of Tigers emerge as active participants of the wars, and society in general.

The Tiger tribe is less unified than the other beast tribes. Instead of sticking together in large communities, they stick to their immediate families, and only converge together during times of great danger, and mass genocide. They stick to the shadows, and draw as little attention as possible to themselves and their people. They are agile, and strike fast, but like their other beast tribe brethren, are tough enough to take a walloping. Do not step on the tail of these beast tribe members, in both a figurative, and literal sense. Tigers have a tendency to hold grudges, and seek revenge.

Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2.

Hidden Hunter. You are naturally proficient in Stealth

Beast Form. You may use an action to transform into a large bipedal Tiger-like creature if you are in possession of a Beaststone. You retain enough mass to grow 2 feet larger when you transform. You may use an action to revert back to humanoid form. Whilst in this form you gain and lose the following features:

• The usage of spells and weapons are no longer available whilst you remain in this form. Reverting back to humanoid form will allow you access to these features once again.
• You become proficient in unarmed strikes. Your unarmed strikes deal 1d4 slashing damage and you have 14 AC.
• Dexterity is your spellcasting ability for any Beast Abilities.
• Pounce and Pound: If you are hidden, and strike an enemy, you do 1d6 extra damage. 2d6 at 6th level, 3d6 at 12th,  4d6 at 16th, 5d6 at 20th.

 Citydwellers

One of many Beast Tribes, Cats, alongside Tigers, are not positioned on the higher tiers of the social hierarchy of the Tribes as compared to lion s.This is attributed to the existence of national traditions mandating that only those possessing supreme strength are deemed fit to rule; Lions are known to have fulfilled this criteria and are therefore recognized as the country's leaders, with a small group serving as the its royal family. Within the events of forestation and the removal of jungles, only a small handful of Cats emerge as active participants of the wars, and society in general.

These Beast tribe members are known to be very social, and very open to new ideas. they are curious, and playful; always ready to play a game, or trick someone. While they can be silly, they always tend to show kindness to most races. However, do be warned that if you disgust a Cat tribe member, they will be willing to go down to the pettiest tier in order to let all in town know of your faults. Some of the Cat tribe have been known to choose a human, or Elf as their master, and stick by them until death.

Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 2.

Nine Lives. You are naturally proficient in Survival.

Beast Form. You may use an action to transform into a large bipedal Panther-like creature if you are in possession of a Beaststone. You retain enough mass to grow 2 feet larger when you transform. You may use an action to revert back to humanoid form. Whilst in this form you gain and lose the following features:

• The usage of spells and weapons are no longer available whilst you remain in this form. Reverting back to humanoid form will allow you access to these features once again.
• You become proficient in unarmed strikes. Your unarmed strikes deal 1d6 slashing damage and you have 12 AC.
• Charisma is your spellcasting ability for any Beast Abilities.
• Cute and Cuddly: Use an action to roll over, and attract your enemies towards you. They must make a charisma saving throw against your beast spell casting ability or do whatever you say for the next minute. Effects one person. recharges on a long rest.

Beast Tribes Traits

The Beast Tribes are a collection of humanoid races that exhibit animal-like features. Furthermore if they are in possession of a special stone, known as a Beast Stone, they may transform into a hybrid creature and reap the benefits of this form. All of the Beast Tribes have had problems with other races in the past and as such they prefer to keep to themselves and their tribes. The Beast Tribes are friendly with other Beast Tribes, however they always consider their own Tribe to be more superior.

Speak with Similar Creatures

Every single Beast Tribesman has a kinship with the creature they can transform into. Thus Beast Tribesmen are able to speak and understand any creature that you can transform into. So a Kitsune can coverse with foxes and a Wolfskin can converse with wolves.

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 1

Age

The beast tribes age at the same rate as humans , but live up to five times longer.

Alignment

All of the Beast Tribe can be considered lawful as they have their own code of conduct that is specific to their own tribe.

Size

Beast tribe members range from under 5 to over 7 feet tall depending on their subrace. While Lions, Wolves and Tigers are taller, and stockier, Cats and Kitsune's seem to have slimmer, and shorter builds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Accustomed to twilit forests and the night sky, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. 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.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, although different tribes tend to have different dialects of said language. Lions speak from the throat, while cats speak from the tongue for example.