Appearance Human form Medium Hybrid form Medium Animal form Tiny 4e Human form Medium Hybrid form Medium Animal form Small Hengeyokai monks were also possible; far from lacking the self-discipline as was commonly believed, they enjoyed the solitary development of body and mind. report. Infravision[5][4]Low-light vision[2] For example, hare hengeyokai were peaceful yet quick to take fright, while monkey hengeyokai were especially curious. They could not speak any other language, but could understand it if they heard it and knew it. They lived on the fringes of the community until it was in danger, whereupon they quietly moved to deal with the threat, oftentimes completely unbeknownst to the settlement's residents. They thought treasure just weighed them down. Hengeyokai My father lived here before me, sir, and by now I have many children and grandchildren. [6], Finally, in human form, a hengeyokai entirely resembled a typical human, of the same height as their hybrid form. They live slightly longer than do humans, usually around 100 years. [5][4][2] They might also learn the Giant and Goblin languages, as well as the language of spirits. [6], They were natural shapechangers, not lycanthropes. 2e Varies[4] In more peaceful times, a few curious itinerant hengeyokai followed the merchant caravans along the Spice Road and Golden Way. Hengeyokai (5e Race) – D&D Wiki. There are a lot of races in D&D. The hengeyokai enjoyed the chaos and fought freely for both sides. Naturally, their behavior often provides proof of their intelligence, so careful observation of a hengeyokai in animal form can reveal that it is not what it appears to be. Their animal form was preferred for exploration, scouting, chasing, or fleeing, and not for combat, unless they had no better weapon or defenses in their human or bipedal/hybrid forms. Armor, clothes, and possessions did not change with them. [5][4][2][9] After the Spellplague, the animal form was as robust as the other forms and kept and gained the benefits of items worn, but could not necessarily use them without hands. Because aside from that one element of "we're shapeshifting animals", none of the mythical creatures being amalgamated here have anything in … [5][4][9] A hengeyokai's bipedal form gained some of the abilities and/or attributes of its animal form, such as a thicker hide or the ability to fly. Ironically, none of the Mythosian races made playable in Pathfinder, such as the Being of Ib or the Yaddithian , were converted. Still, it's a faithful import from 3.0 to 5e, and the powers are well written. 1st Edition Statistics[5] Humanoid I've been working on this for a few months; the hengeyokai race for 5E! Hengeyokai are not found in Rokugan. They valued both their own freedom and the freedom of others. [6] They could wear light or medium armors, but not heavy armors. [12] They were also either a little more intelligent,[4] flighty and lacking will,[2] or more agile and either wiser or more charismatic. [31][27] By the late 15th century DR, Kara-Turan hengeyokai saw Sheng Ti as a sanctuary and many migrated there. From 1E we have Hengeyokai, Spirit Folk, and Korobokuru. In thanks, the humans might give them offerings such as food, gifts, and services, which were enough to keep the hengeyokai living comfortably, though they never felt one with the community. The more experienced or capable members usually departed to travel on their own. [5][4], They retained their infravision[5][4] or their low-light vision. Based on +4 Wilderness Lore when tracking by scent. [Dr404:51] Hengeyokai are shapeshifters native to Kara-Tur. The majority of hengeyokai users of primal magic, like barbarians, druids, rangers, and seekers, were found here, and after the Spellplague, many hengeyokai displayed spellscars in hybrid and human forms, though they were exceedingly rare elsewhere in Kara-Tur. [5][4][2] Most avoided contact with other sentient races, with the exception of the spirit folk. A hengeyokai who turned from human form to animal form might have to wait until the next day before they could turn back. They walked or ran as fast as a human. Hengeyokai, an Original Race for D&D 5e - Descendants of trouble-making shape-changing spirits, hengeyokai live among humans and are often mistaken for them. "chanshi"), kensai, shukenja, or wu jen[5][4] and they cross-trained easily as wu jen. [25] Many took up worship of Chauntea, ignoring the shogunate's ban on the foreign goddess. [5][4][2][9] Their shapeshifting power was similar to the shapechange spell. In appearance, hengeyokai resemble beastfolk, blending the defining features of human and animal, but they can also shapeshift into a purely animal or purely human form. Korobokuru are about the same size as most dwarves, but leaner, and dresss in baggy, comfortable clothes. [2][15] They favored faiths and philosophies that were personal and not strict, like shamanism, the Way in Shou Lung and T'u Lung, the Eight Million Gods in Wa and Kozakura, and the faith of Chauntea in Wa, whom they saw as an incredibly powerful nature spirit who was nevertheless kindly and easygoing. [4], In "hybrid" or "bipedal" form, they stood upright on their hind legs or rear limbs; their front paws, fins, or wings transformed into fully functional hands; and their torso and head took a humanoid posture. In gratitude, in 1396 DR (Shou Year 2646), he decreed that hengeyokai and spirit folk in Sheng Ti be allowed to enter the Mandarinate, which had previously only been permitted to humans. The only LA +0 races that natively get a flight speed without investment are the raptorans (Races of the Wild) and the dragonborn (Races of the Dragon). Rather, being descen… [5][4][9][6], They were descended from humans and shapeshifting animal spirits originating from the Feywild. In addition, you can communicate with other animals of the race you select, regardless of which form you are currently in. They became guardians of the countless oases along the Golden Way, protecting caravans from brigands and raiding humanoids. These regions let them take human form and go among others and escape into the wilds and be alone whenever they wanted. Take your favorite fandoms with you and never miss a beat. raw download clone embed print report. Their romances were passionate but short-lived, usually only lasting long enough for the young to be able to look after themselves, which was just a few months. They prepared what defenses they might against intruders, and posed as humans to treat visitors with hospitality or wickedness, according to their nature. Good and evil hengeyokai often served as protectors and sometimes as menaces of the local human clans, who believed them to be potent nature spirits and respected them greatly, though not without a little fear or hate. They avoided making attachments, for these could bind them as surely as any bonds. Well, to put things simply, I've got a huge array (70+, at last counting) of homebrewed races for 5e that I want to get critiqued, plus plans for future races beyond that. Demihuman Hengeyokai. They remained very animal-like, retaining fur or feathers, wings or a tail if they'd had one, and other distinctive features. [4], Trying to make their lives as simple as they could, hengeyokai had few possessions; they carried only what they needed and had only a little money to get by on. [6], In this form, they could speak any language they knew and the hengeyokai tongue. [27], Shortly after the Spellplague of 1385 DR, a section of the Feywild moved closer to the Sheng Ti province of Shou Lung, which empowered the spirit folk and hengeyokai there. Despite this, the two races stayed loyal to Emperor Kai Tsao Shou Chin (whose maternal great-grandfather was a Sheng Ti hengeyokai[28][27]) and assisted him in restoring order. [27] In the early 1360s DR, hengeyokai mercenaries were known to serve in the Mindulgulph Mercenary Company[36] and a cat hengeyokai was a member of the Agency adventuring company. [15] Instead, hengeyokai shamans engaged the power of spirits via partnership, not worship. Their senses of smell and hearing are excellent, ranking them amongst the best trackers known. Demihuman hengeyokai are defined by their class levels—they do not possess racial Hit Dice. They could pass as a human, walked or ran as fast as a human, could use weapons and manipulate items, wear clothes and armor, cast spells, and were fully durable. Alternate Form: Hengeyokai can change shape, assuming one of three possible forms. They are typically found on the fringes of human-settled lands, where they can mingle in human form but retreat to solitude when they desire. [6] Veteran hengeyokai of any stripe might dedicate themselves as shapeshifters. They treated the forces of the Shadowfell like other spirits. Their houses were simple and temporary, even crude, but sturdy constructions of wood and stone. [15], Hengeyokai had a peculiar lifecycle. [9][6], In animal form, the hengeyokai was completely indistinguishable from a natural, average animal of its kind and possessed all the same abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. Size Their bipedal or hybrid form was their most natural and comfortable; they took this when with other hengeyokai or members of other races they trusted well. Humanoid D D Dog Race. Greetings everybody, this is my first time on a forum so I hope I do it right. The smaller animal form was much less durable than the human and hybrid forms; injuries taken in those forms were twice as severe in this form. Age: Hengeyokai mature at about the same rate as humans, reaching adulthood in their late teens. Hengeyokai were by-and-large a reclusive and secretive race who preferred to live alone or in very small communities. [30], The largest population in Kara-Tur was found in the Ama Basin of the Northern Wastes. Physical Description: Hengeyokai are shapeshifting humanoids able to take one of three forms. Hengeyokai in hybrid form retain their low-light vision and the ability to communicate with animals of their type. Saturday, 1st September, However, most foxes carry two or more aliases that they use in their human henveyokai usually one male and one female. [37] By 1479 DR, a pride of cat hengeyokai had settled in the King's Forest in Cormyr, enjoying the kingdom's love of cats while protecting local humans from marauding creatures and other menaces. As well as being able to speak the language of hengeyokai, they had the ability to communicate with regular animals, but this was understandably rather rudimentary, depending on the other animal's intelligence. 2e Originally in Oriental Adventures' description, Hengeyokai's natural form was the animal. It took some time (a full minute[5][4] or several seconds[2]) to change form, during which the hengeyokai could do naught else. A comprehensive list of all official character races for Fifth Edition. Its physical ability scores in animal form are average for its animal type, as shown on Table. [4] Different subraces of hengeyokai could easily live with one another, provided they had similar views and required similar environments. Any[4] Origin Seeing a slave or a trapped animal was abhorrent to them. These animals exhibit extraordinary intelligence and lifespans before anyone realizes anything is amiss. -2 Wisdom. RELATED: Dungeons & Dragons: 10 Items That Seem Weak But Can Destroy A Party. Parents sometimes stayed near the young for a few years to aid them, particularly if local hunters threatened them. [6], Hengeyokai of all breeds were naturally mischievous and enjoyed tricking people, regardless of what others, or their victims, thought of them for it. Obake are also called bakemono, but the bakemono is a very different creature in D&D. Most were happy to just explore the wilderness around their homes or the local human community, and get into juvenile shenanigans. Hengeyokai have the size, speed, AC, damage rating, and physical ability scores shown on Table 1—3: Hengeyokai Animal Forms. [5][4][2][9] Humans tended to treat hengeyokai according to their animal types, shunning those they thought to be evil. Any[4][2] In the Mists of Akuma setting for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, hengeyokai are believed by legend to be beings from the dawn of time who could not choose between the world of humans or the world of animals. [2][11] Unlike lycanthropes, hengeyokai had no relationship with the moon, never changed forms unless they wanted to, were not especially vulnerable to silver, could not pass on their power through inflicted wounds, and did not heal when they changed shape,[5][4] though they did frequently take on a superficial likeness to their animal when in human form. Hengeyokai are known to originate from ordinary animals. [22] In addition, they had a supernatural power to communicate with animals of their own kind, dependent on which form they were in. [6] Hengeyokai fighters (such as bushi) were most often crabs, dogs, foxes, raccoon dogs, and rats, with a tough and ferocious martial style. [20] Hengeyokai made natural rogues, as sneaking, lying, and thieving came easily to them. [2], Each form had several benefits and drawbacks for the hengeyokai, though they retained their personality, knowledge, skills, and abilities in all forms, even if they could not always make use of them. [28], In Kozakura, hengeyokai dwelled in isolated enclaves across the islands, usually in remote valleys,[32][33] forests, and mountains,[27] like the dark wooded valleys of Maeshi Province. History In animal form, hengeyokai has low-light vision and the supernatural ability to communicate with other animals of its kind. [23], In 332 DR (406 on the Kozakuran Calendar), Emperor Sentei of Kozakura commenced the Great Land Reforms, which placed both hengeyokai and korobokuru outside the government. [13][14], Hengeyokai usually mated once or twice in their long lifetimes. save. 2nd Edition Statistics[4] It gave them the best language capacity and eyesight and was useful for intimidating others. Three nation states claimed parts of these lands and were quite different from each other and from the rest of Kara-Tur: Purang, Laothan, and the Kuong Kingdom.Territorial boundaries in these lands were largely irrelevant and many hapless adventurers and merchants met their deaths exploring the wild rainforests. They were often mobile, uprooting and leaving when civilization expanded into their old home. However, after the Spellplague of 1385 DR (Shou Year 2635) and the ensuing turmoil, many more traveled west in the mistaken belief that Faerûn would be relatively more peaceful (it was not). My only issue here is the clunky elemental mastery mechanic. Both of these start out with a glide ability that becomes true flight (at 5 HD and 6 HD, respectively). However, most often it was fundamentally to discover themselves. However, in rougher areas, they dwelled in simple huts. Races in 5e also don't have negatives, except for the drow. A race of vicious and spiteful miscreants, the Rat Hengeyokai are generally shunned by the other shapeshifters. A fox hengeyokai wu jen. [4][15], Hengeyokai were by-and-large a reclusive and secretive race who preferred to live alone or in very small communities. Started up my second campaign ever at the beginning of August, first in 5e, and one of my players really had his h They could speak it in any form. In fact, by 1479 DR, almost every Shou-town in Faerûn had a few hengeyokai living in or near it. Some even became assassins; cats, foxes, and rats were the most likely. Shapechanger: Hengeyokai are shapechangers, not humanoids. A rare few hengeyokai struck out away from familiar surroundings to live in Cormyr, the Dalelands, the Western Heartlands, and the North. A hare hengeyokai ninja observing a pair of samurai. 3e There are many clans of hengeyokai, each associated with a different animal. Yeah, I feel I didn't make this clear: to me, in 5e terms, Hengeyokai shouldn't be a Race but a Subtype of Fey. Hengeyokai monks had a natural talent and a knack of improvising and mixing styles. Physically, they tend to be small and wiry in stature, and stoop when they move, giving them an even more twisted appearance. Carps, cranes, dogs, hares, and monkeys were most likely to be monks. Few actually took the opportunity but it remained nonetheless, despite racist tongs who actively opposed the move and worked against prominent hengeyokai.  1⁄2 Human children of hengeyokai were known for their agility, beauty, and longevity, possessing a strong affinity for animals and regularly becoming druids or rangers or the like. They saw no shame in using magic such as shadow magic, even finding appeal in its power to trick and deceive. This site works best with JavaScript enabled. Alignment: Free-spirited, even capricious, and playful, hengeyokai tend to be of chaotic alignment. As popular as kitsunes in its home country, the tanuki myths have had a hard time getting abroad, mostly because of a certain bowdlerization issue. Sign Up, it unlocks many cool features! [4][15], All subraces shared their own common language, called "Hengeyokai". General Information 5e. Using this ability, hengeyokai have gained a reputation as tricksters and conmen, which makes it harde… Thus, a 1st-level hengeyokai can switch from human form to animal form and back again in a single day. With their new hands and body, they could use weapons and manipulate items, wear clothes and armor, cast spells, and were fully durable. [27], In Faerûn, the majority of hengeyokai settled along the Golden Way in the Great Dale, Rashemen, and Thesk, and as far west as Nathlan on the Dragon Coast. Hengeyokai can also assume a bipedal, animalistic ("hybrid") form. [2][15] The feeling was mutual and the two got on well. Wiki Le Monde des Royaumes Oubliés (French), Creatures with a challenge rating less than 1 (3e), “Oriental Adventures Update: Eastern Flavor”, Swords of the Daimyo (Province Book of Miyama), https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Hengeyokai?oldid=593147. [11], Hengeyokai loved practicing horticulture and telling stories, and physical activities of all kinds, like climbing, running, and swimming. This could not be explained by sages and wu jen, but added to the respect and dread accorded to the hengeyokai by their tribal neighbors. [2][15] They rarely even venerated ancestor spirits. Size Possible animal forms include badger, carp, cat, crab, crane, dog, fox, hare, monkey, raccoon dog, rat, sparrow, and weasel. They traded anything they didn't want for practical things like food or weapons, or else donated it to those who had more need. [4] Their capacity was limited, however: at first, they could only change once or twice a day, but as they advanced in life, they could change more often. Size [15], If content and approving of these people, good experienced hengeyokai sometimes took it upon themselves to watch over and protect a human settlement or just one family for many years, even for generations. Type When gargantuas overran Wa, hengeyokai came to Sheng Ti, though they had difficulties assimilating and many went further west, to the Hordelands and Faerûn. 107 . Activity cycle Animal Adventures Tales Of Dungeons And Doggies By Russ Charles. These so-called demihuman hengeyokai are more akin to humanoids than magical beasts, and have capabilities comparable to those of standard player character races. [35], After the post-Spellplague migration, in the Hordelands, hengeyokai settled in Yaimunnahar, around the Lake of Mists, and in the foothills of the Sunrise Mountains. [2] After the Spellplague, hengeyokai could change as often as they liked and all equipment and clothing changed with them. [5][4][2] This form was unique; it could not be used to disguise oneself as another person. Sometimes, an hengeyokai becomes permanently stuck in human form. The conflict divided the islands into feuding clans for centuries. They believed what they liked, worshiped however they liked, rarely followed doctrine, and ignored any suggestion of heresy. [17] However, they did not venerate the spirits as humans did, instead viewing themselves as equals. [9] Previously, it was reported they had a more ordinary lifecycle, achieving adulthood at around 40 years of age and reaching middle age at 100 years, before being considered elderly at 150 and venerable at 200, and living up to 500 years. Hengeyokai have the size, speed, AC, damage rating, and physical ability scores shown on Table 1—3: Hengeyokai Animal Forms. For example, a 5th-level wu-jen / 2nd-level hengeyokai paragon can shift between forms a total of 10 times per day (7HD+1+2 class levels) Ability Boost : At 3rd level a Hengeyokai Paragon increases an ability score by 2 points in all forms, this ability score is the same one that is increased in Hybrid form. After the Juzimura Rebellion was crushed in 1337 DR (Wa Year 1755) and the faith's suppression, most of these hengeyokai left Wa and found their way to Faerûn, where they worshiped Chauntea however they liked, even if it irritated the more orthodox churches. Other known kinds of hengeyokai included: Frog, lizard, and weasel hengeyokai, as well as larger types like dolphin, panda, and tiger hengeyokai were spoken of in legends, but never confirmed to exist, at least by humans. For their first 100 years of life, they lived only in animal form, especially intelligent and long-lived, but little different from any other animal of their kind and unable to change forms. [34] The most populous were the fox hengeyokai of northern Shinkoku, the monkey hengeyokai of southern Shinkoku, and the rat hengeyokai of Tenmei,[33][27] though the rats mostly departed the area after a bloody feud with local korobokuru. When two hengeyokai from the same clan marry, their children are always of the same clan. The rest of the body retains the general appearance of the animal, including fur, feathers, wings, tail, and other characteristic features, but in the overall shape of a humanoid head and torso. Magical beast Regardless, Sheng Ti become known as a haven for hengeyokai. -- Over the Next Hill: 5 Plug-In Settlements for your 5E Game on Kickstarter!Over the Next Hill: 5 Plug-In Settlements for your 5E Game on Kickstarter! They rarely had the discipline to be lawful, however. Furthermore, each subrace had distinct strengths, weaknesses, and features according to their animal form. They earned fear and hatred and extorted offerings but were rarely ever satisfied. Human form Medium Hybrid form Medium [2] Around 1479 DR, hengeyokai retained low-light vision in all three forms. In hybrid form, a hengeyokai gains a +2 adjustment to one physical ability score, as shown on Table 1—2: Hengeyokai Hybrid Forms. 4th Edition Statistics[1] [2] They often also gained some physical enhancement according to their type,[2] if they didn't possess it in all three forms. Equipment the hengeyokai is wearing or carrying transforms to become part of the animal form (as with polymorph other), and magic items cease functioning while the hengeyokai remains in animal form. It is believed they acquire this from being touched by the Spirit Realm at an early age, which starts their change. The average hengeyokai band numbered anywhere up to twenty individuals, rarely more than that,[4][2][15] with males and females in equal ratio and equal status and ability. The self-evidently titled Sandy Petersen's Cthulhu Mythos for 5e splatbook, as its name suggests, contains several new PC races for D&D 5e based on less malevolent monsters from the Mythos. Their true form is that of a humanoid with the face of an animal. Sages believed this behavior, in contrast to typical hengeyokai reclusiveness, was a product of the protective nature common to spirits. Favored climate [15] In contrast to humans and other races, hengeyokai did not form clans, had no wish to possess lands or titles or positions of authority, did not worry overmuch about honor, lacked strong familial bonds, and never founded noble families or took over strongholds. They were always on the move to avoid being pinned down, even if staying within the same region. 1.2k. [5][4][2][9][6] It was once reported that they could communicate with any animal,[5][4] but later it was only animals of their own kind[2][9] or closely related. This supernatural ability functions like the polymorph other spell, but a hengeyokai can change form a number of times per day equal to 1 plus his character level. [9], Goblin rats and hu hsien were cousins to hengeyokai.[41][42]. [5][4][2] It used the alphabet of the common tongue. In particular, they were known for their colored woodcuts (nishiki-e), which were valued at up to 1,000 ch'ien by collectors of art, and for their guardian figures (kongi rikishi), which stood at the entrances to temples. However, a more recent inspiration might be the anthropomorphic animal martial-artist characters of the then-recently released Usagi Yojimbo and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics. Rather than train in monasteries and temples, they learned under hermit masters in the wilderness with few other students. [9], Despite their variety of appearances, every hengeyokai had one feature in common—they had three forms: their animal form (of which they had only one), a human form, and a bipedal hybrid form that shared features of both. 3e It was a real, bodily change, not an illusion and no form could not be detected as such,[5][4][2] though other forms of magic might identify them. The animal was not compelled to obey or even be friendly.[6]. [8] Meanwhile, evil hengeyokai instead preyed on such communities; more mischievous than malicious, they played cruel pranks on humans but could rob, trick, and even kill to get what they wanted.