Shifters
"Shifters are sometimes called the weretouched. They are humanoids with a bestial aspect: they can temporarily enhance their animalistic features— a state they call shifting."1 "Shifting, though similar to lycanthropy, is neither an affliction nor a curse. It is not passed on by bite or claw attacks, and a shifter can’t be cured— shifting is a natural ability for the race."
"Many shifters carry traits associated with their animal natures. Some are boorish or crude, while others are quiet and shifty. In addition to these behaviors, shifters share three main aspects of their psychology: a struggle with their powerful emotional responses, a steadfast belief in the virtue of self-reliance, and a deep desire for personal freedom:"
᛭ "Shifters hold within them extremes of emotion that strive to dominate their thoughts and actions. This raw inner turmoil comes forth in some shifter warriors as a barbaric rage. Other shifters suppress all emotion, dealing with their bestial instincts in their own way and remaining stoic."
᛭ "Self-reliance has long been the most important virtue in shifter culture. Shifters refer to their constant state of readiness as 'preparing for the journey yet to come.' Shifters believe that life can change surprisingly quickly and that one should always be ready to move on to avoid the danger."
᛭ "Shifters believe that the reward for self-reliance is freedom. No shifter is comfortable with those who forcibly impose their will on others. Their games, their training, and even their magic all have at least subtle ties to the shifters’ keen survival instincts and well-known emphasis on self-reliance."2
Description
Physique. Shifters stand between 5 and 5½ feet tall and weigh on average 160 pounds. They typically have lean, athletic builds that hint at their animalistic ancestry. They have subtle bestial features, varying depending on their specific heritage. Their features are sharp and pronounced, with pointed ears, flattened noses, and prominent canine teeth. Shifters often have large eyes with vivid coloration— gold, green, or amber. Their hair is thick, coarse, and tends to grow wild. Some keep it as a mane while others prefer to keep it in elaborate braids. Shifters frequently bear distinctive marks such as patterned skin, fur-like body hair, or whisker-like facial hair, accentuating their bestial lineage. Shifters favor garments that accommodate their active lifestyle and physical adaptability. Their appearance is often marked by distinctive tattoos, scars, or elaborate braids.
Age. Shifters reach adulthood at age 20. They hit middle age around 50 and are considered old past age 70.
Size. A shifter's size is Medium. To set your height and weight randomly, start with rolling a size modifier:
Size modifier = 2d4
Height = 4 feet 10 inches + your size modifier in inches
Weight = 130 pounds + (2d10 × your size modifier in pounds)
Suggested Names. Bennin, Boz, Gharull, Harysh, Hassht, Hoas, Hruit, Junter, Leara, Lorgan, Meira, Pardrengo, Shassa, Slara, Surrinek, Tarr, Teln, Thorn, Tusk.
Racial Traits
Creature Type. Your creature type is Humanoid.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet. (Except for the Swiftstride shifters, see below.)
Darkvision. 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.
Keen Sense of Smell. You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on your sense of smell.
Shifting. As a bonus action, you can assume a more bestial form. This transformation lasts for 1 minute, until you die, or until you revert to your normal appearance as a bonus action. When you shift, you gain temporary hit points equal to your level + your Constitution modifier (minimum of 1 temporary hit point). These temporary hit points last until the end of your shifting.
You also gain additional benefits that depend on your shifter subrace, described below. Once you shift, you can't do so again until you finish a short or long rest.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Sylvan. Sylvan is the racial language of shifters, and serves as the common tongue of the Eldeen Reaches where shifters originate from.
Subrace. The beast within shapes each shifter physically and mentally. The four major subraces of shifter include: beasthide, longtooth, swiftstride, and wildhunt.
Choose a subrace for your shifter.
Beasthide Shifter
"Stoic and solid, a beasthide shifter draws strength and stability from the beast within. Beasthide shifters are typically tied to the bear or the boar, but this subrace could embody any creature known for its toughness."1
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 2, and your Strength score increases by 1.
Natural Athlete. You have proficiency in the Acrobatics and Athletics skills.
Shifting Feature. Whenever you shift, you add your proficiency bonus to the temporary hit points you gain. While shifted, you have a +1 bonus to your Armor Class.
Longtooth Shifter
"Longtooth shifters are fierce and aggressive, but they form deep bonds with their friends. Many longtooth shifters have canine traits that become more pronounced as they shift, but they might instead draw on tigers, hyenas, or other predators."1
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Fierce. You have proficiency in the Intimidation skill. You have advantage on Intimidation checks made while shifted.
Shifting Feature. While shifted, you can use your elongated fangs to make an unarmed strike as a bonus action. If you hit with your fangs, you can deal piercing damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.
Swiftstride Shifter
"Swiftstride shifters are graceful and quick. Typically feline in nature, swiftstride shifters are often aloof and difficult to pin down physically or socially."1
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Charisma score increases by 1.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 35 feet.
Graceful. You have proficiency in the Acrobatics skill.
Shifting Feature. While shifted, your walking speed increases to 45 feet. Additionally, you can move up to 10 feet as a reaction when a creature ends its turn within 5 feet of you. This reactive movement doesn't provoke opportunity attacks.
Wildhunt Shifter
"Wildhunt shifters are sharp and insightful. Many are constantly alert, ever wary for possible threats. Others focus on their intuition, searching within. Wildhunt shifters are excellent hunters, and they also tend to be come the spiritual leaders of shifter communities."1
Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by 2, and your Dexterity increases by 1.
Natural Tracker. You have proficiency in the Survival skill.
Shifting Feature. While shifted, you have advantage on Wisdom checks, and no creature within 30 feet of you can make an attack roll with advantage against you, unless you're incapacitated.
License. Content on this page is licensed under the CC0 1.0 Universal License, excluding quotes and images.