Canin, Miniature (3.5e Race)

Canin, Miniature

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 Miniature Canin are the next size up from the Toys. While they can be scrappers, they are not as eager to start a fight as their smaller cousins. Breeds among the Miniature Canin include the Miniature Poodle, Miniature Schnauzer, Dachshund, King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, Beagle, Bulldog, Cocker Spaniel, and any other breeds in that size range. When creating a Miniature Canin character, you can either 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. Miniature Canin are not as abrasive as their smaller cousins. While they can be scrappers, they are not as eager to fight and are significantly more cordial to others.

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. 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

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

• +2 Dexterity, +2 Intelligence, -2 Strength, -2 Wisdom: Miniature Canin are quick, although not as quick as the toys. They are, however smarter and while they are slightly stronger than the toys, they share the same lack of wisdom.
• Humanoid
• Small: As a small creature, a miniature canin gains a +1 size bonus to Armor Class, a +1 size bonus on attacks rolls, and a +4 size bonus on hide checks. However, he takes a -4 size penalty on grapple checks, uses smaller weapons than humans, their carrying capacity is 3/4 of that of a medium character, and they have a reach of 5 ft
• Miniature Canin base land speed is 20 feet
• Low-light Vision: A miniature 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
• Automatic Languages: Common. Bonus Languages: Any (except for secret languages, such as Druidic)
• Favored Class: Rogue: The Miniature Canin don’t have as big of a chip on their shoulder about their size as the Toys do and are smart enough to recognize their lack of physicality. They are also aware that it is easy for them to sneak around and like to take advantage
• Level Adjustment: +0

Vital Statistics

Table: Canin, Miniature Random Starting Ages

Adulthood	Simple	Moderate	Complex
30 years	+3d6	+5d6	+7d6

Table: Canin, Miniature Aging Effects

Middle Age1	Old2	Venerable3	Maximum Age
115 years	178 years	240 years	+2d% 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, Miniature Random Height and Weight

Gender	Base Height	Height Modifier	Base Weight	Weight Modifier
Male	2' 11"	+2d4	40 lb.	× 1d4 lb.
Female	2' 9"	+2d4	35 lb.	× 1d4 lb.

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