Canin, Giant (3.5e Race)

Canin, Giant

Canin can best be described as dogmen. They have the body of a human, but the head of a dog and are covered in fur from head to toe. Describing an average canin is difficult due to the wide variety of them. Canin come in many “breeds” (as many as dogs do in fact) and each breed can vary greatly in size. They can be as smaller than a gnome or larger than a troll and everywhere in between. Canin place great value in honesty, integrity, and loyalty. Like dogs, Canin are fiercely loyal to their friends. Some are loyal to a fault. However, if one betrays or severely violates a Canin’s moral code, it is possible to lose their loyalty, but only if the act was severe enough to destroy the friendship (something that Canin do not take well at all). Evil Canin are extremely rare. The few that exist (that aren’t undead or, in one extremely rare and tragically ironic case, a werewolf) are that way because of tragic circumstances in their past, usually multiple instances of abuse or betrayal by those they trusted. Most Canin are hard working and quite happy to do physically demanding jobs, although some of the larger breeds are known to be a bit lazy. Canin seem to have a readiness to fight inversely related to size. The smaller the Canin, the more feisty and ready for a fight they seem to be (although most will end up hiding behind a larger friend when the one they challenge seems to accept). Smaller breeds of Canin also seem to have more dominant personalities. It is not uncommon to see a group of troll sized Canin taking orders from a gnome sized one. Their senses of hearing and smell are extraordinary, making them excellent trackers and leading more than a few to pursue the career of a woodsman or a bounty hunter. There are too many breeds of Canin to stat each one individually, but they can be easily divided into four categories: Toy, Miniature, Standard, and Giant. While they are all the same species, some of the racial features may differ between the different categories. Most will be the same, but attributes will differ.

The Giant Canin are the largest of the Canin. Despite their intimidating size, they are the least threatening of the species. Giant Canin are gentle giants and very friendly. Breeds among the Giant Canin include the Great Dane (feel free to rename as appropriate to the world setting), Bull Mastiff, Mastiff, Irish Wolfhound (feel free to rename as appropriate to the world setting), Anatolian Shepherd, and any other breeds in that size range. When creating a Giant Canin character, you can choose a breed for your character to be at character creation or stick with the basic race as is and call yourself a mutt. Some breeds may have additional abilities that are added onto the basic race.

Personality

Canin are generally friendly. They are extremely loyal to their friends, often to a fault. Giant Canin are quiet and gentle. They are not particularly active nor do they move quickly if they don't have to, leading many to believe that they are lazy (they're not entirely wrong). Giant Canin scare easily and have a reputation for having a cowardly streak

Physical Description

Canin look like an anthropromorphic version of a dog. The exact appearance will vary depending on what breed they are.

Relations

Canin get along with most of the other races. They are especially friendly with humans. Dwarves get frustrated with them due to their inactivity, believing them too lazy to be of use. They get along remarkably well with Halflings, who are quite laid back themselves, and gnomes, who appreciate that they don't bother to retaliate for their pranks. Canin are a bit leery of half-orcs, but are more open minded than other races and are willing to give individuals a chance, often warming up to them. They dislike the drow, orcs, and other monstrous evil races for their cruel ways, but are sometimes willing to give individuals a chance to prove themselves.

Alignment

Usually Neutral Good, Sometimes Lawful Good

Lands

Similar to humans, canin are all over the place.

Religion

Canin are generally not particularly religious, but they tend to prefer to worship nature deities

Language

Automatic Languages: Common. Bonus Languages: Any (except for secret languages, such as Druidic)

Names

Their names are as varied as those of humans and normal dogs

Racial Traits

• +4 Strength, +2 Charisma, -4 Dexterity, -4 Constitution: Giant Canin are incredibly strong and very likable, but they are notoriously clumsy and are known for health problems and short life expectancy
• Humanoid
• Large: As a large creature, a giant canin takes a -1 size bonus to Armor Class, a -1 size bonus on attacks rolls, and a -4 size penalty on hide checks. However, he gains a +4 size bonus on grapple checks, uses smaller weapons than humans, double the carrying capacity of a Medium creature, and a Reach of 10
• Canin, Giant base land speed is 30 feet
• Low-light Vision: A giant canin can see twice as far as a human in starlight, moonlight, torchlight, and similar conditions of poor illumination. He retains the ability to distinguish color and detail under these conditions.
• +2 Racial Bonus on Spot

• +4 Racial Bonus on Listen

• +4 Racial Bonus on Survival when tracking by scent
• Scent
• -2 on saving throws against charm/compulsion: Canin are naturally friendly and like to give people the benefit of the doubt. This makes them more susceptible to charm and compulsion effects

• Greater Sonic Vulnerability: Because of their sensitive hearing, Canin are very sensitive to loud noises. They take triple damage from sonic attacks

• Greater Vulnerability: Chocolate: Like their canine cousins, all Canin have a severe allergy to chocolate. When making physical contact with chocolate, whether being struck by a weapon made (unlikely) of coated with it or possibly even just touching it (for an especially severe case), they must make a DC 25 Fortitude Save. If the save succeeds, nothing happens. If the save fails, they immediately take 4 points of Constitution damage. If chocolate is actually consumed, it is treated as a poison. The Canin must make 2 DC 25 Fortitude Saves. If either save fails, they immediately take 4 points of Constitution damage, a total of 8 if both saves fail

• -2 penalty on saving throws against fear: The bigger the dog, the bigger the baby. This applies to Canin as well and Giant Canin have a reputation as scaredy cats

• -2 penalty on all saving throws: Giant Canin are known for health problems, clumsiness, and occasional cowardliness
• Automatic Languages: Common. Bonus Languages: Any (except for secret languages, such as Druidic)
• Favored Class: Monk or Paladin: Giant Canin are very much aware of their problems and would very much like to overcome them, whether physical or mental. They prefer classes that allow them to perfect themselves, improving their health and mental states
• Level Adjustment: +1

Vital Statistics

Table:Canin, Giant Random Starting Ages

Adulthood	Simple	Moderate	Complex
7.5 years	+1d4	+1d6	+2d6

Table: Canin, Giant Aging Effects

Middle Age1	Old2	Venerable3	Maximum Age
17.5 years	26.5 years	35 years	+1d20 years
At middle age, −1 to Str, Dex, and Con; +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha. At old age, −2 to Str, Dex, and Con; +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha. At venerable age, −3 to Str, Dex, and Con; +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha.

Table: Canin, GiantRandom Height and Weight

Gender	Base Height	Height Modifier	Base Weight	Weight Modifier
Male	8' 5"	+2d12	650 lb.	× 2d10 lb.
Female	8' 2"	+2d12	630 lb.	× 2d10lb.

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