Homebrew Canis Major Species Details

Canis Major were once normal dogs, forever changed by the intervention of powers beyond the average pup’s comprehension. Some are uplifted by divine beings or mysterious celestial entities. Some are created by tricks of the Fey. Other Canis Major are the products of arcane experiments performed by great Wizards or ambitious Artificers. Although they remain forever loyal to their families or masters, in time, some of these ascendant dogs begin to yearn for more than just a dog’s life and set out to seek adventures of their own.

In combat, Canis Major overcome the limit of their canine bodies to wield weapons and armor through the use of telekinetics, passive magics, or mechanical augmentations depending on their origin. Work with your DM to establish how your character interacts with their gear in combat.

Canis Major are quadrupedal, and retain the general physical characteristics, fur, and variety of colors, shapes, and sizes of normal dogs. Most Canis Major have some physical features that reflect their origin, though the extent those characteristics are expressed can vary wildly from one individual to another. For example, a Canis Major uplifted by Celestials may have galaxies of stars reflected in their eyes, while a Canis Major created by infusions of fire magic may have red fur with fiery whisps on their tails, or the creation of an Artificer may have body parts replaced with or augmented by magically infused mechanical components.

Some Canis Major choose to blend in with un-ascended members of the canine family, while others may choose to distinguish themselves with clothing, jewelry, or even flashy armor.

They maintain a keen sense of smell and hearing.

Most Canis Major speak through telepathic connections to those around them, while some have received mechanical augmentations that allow them to speak out loud. A rare few developed the ability to speak naturally. The lives and adventures of Canis Major are as varied as the breeds of dogs they originate from.

This race follows the new options for character creation first introduced in Tasha's Cauldron of Everything. You'll be able to customize options like ability score increases, languages and alignment as you continue building your character. If you need suggestions, ask your DM!

Creating Your Character

Canis Major is a fantastical race, follow these additional rules during character creation.

Ability Score Increases

When determining your character’s ability scores, increase one score by 2 and increase a different score by 1, or increase three different scores by 1. Follow this rule regardless of the method you use to determine the scores, such as rolling, or point buy.

Languages

Your character can speak, read, and write Common and one other language that you and your DM agree is appropriate for the character. The Player’s Handbook offers a list of languages to choose from. The DM is free to modify that list for a campaign.

Creature Type

Depending on their origin and subrace, Canis Major can be considered Beast, Celestial, Construct, Elemental, or Fey. Work with your DM to determine which creature type is appropriate for your Canis Major.

Life Span

The magical influences on Canis Major allow them to live much longer than the average dog, often about a century.

Height and Weight

Canis Major vary in height and weight just as much as normal dogs do. They can be a big as a Great Dane, or as small as a Pug.

Canis Major Traits

As a Canis Major, you have the following racial traits.

Creature Type

Depending on their origin and subrace, Canis Major can be considered Beast, Celestial, Construct, Elemental, or Fey. Work with your DM to determine which creature type is appropriate for your Canis Major.

Size

You are Medium or Small. You choose the size when you select this race.

Speed

Your walking speed is 30 feet.

Fetch!

You have advantage on Dexterity checks made to catch thrown objects, provided that the object can be held in your canine mouth.

Canine Senses

You have proficiency in the Perception skill and advantage on Perception checks that rely on smell or sound.

Puppy Eyes

You've learned to appear irresistibly cute in order to get what you want. You have proficiency in the Persuasion Skill.

Bite

Your teeth are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Always Alert

You remain alert at all times, even when resting. Creatures have disadvantage on stealth checks vs your passive perception. You cannot be surprised by ambushing attackers during a long or short rest.