Dōbutsu (5e Race)
Dōbutsu Name[edit]
Physical Description[edit]
The dōbutsu look similar to humans, the big difference is they have a feature of an animal. The fur of the tail and the ears of a dōbutsu are said to be the most beautiful fur ever seen and they are sometimes killed for it. This part of the dōbutsu came from the large amount of fey blood in the veins of the dōbutsu. Their wild nature before the domestication causes the animistic traits of the dōbutsu. Not all dōbutsu look the same. dōbutsu all have claws due to the type of animal that the dōbutsu often look like.
History[edit]
They have a fey heritage that can be traced back to ancient fey that decided to breed with humans. The Dōbutsu worshipped the fey that had granted them the power, and various ritual were held to give praise to the fey that they worshipped. They were hunted for a time before people got a bit scared and began the enslavement and domestication. They were great hunters and the legends compare them to the archers of the elves. In modern times dōbutsu spend most of the years as slaves or pets to other races. The number of revolts goes up by day but not all dōbutsu hate their masters. The loyal Dōbutsu are known to still worship the fey while most have grown a hatred of the beings that gave them the stupid ears and tail.
Society[edit]
Dōbutsus often have to deal with the constant reminder by other races that they are not equals. This fact often leaves them in places of enslavement, or in rebellions. The dōbutsu fear of being a weaker race also make them hard worker and push them to achieve something. In the beliefs of the dōbutsu, when one does obtain a goal of note they might change their name to one of a god or demon. No matter how much the dōbutsu may obtain they will still have a constant feeling that they should not hold political power. In the exception to this rule, dōbutsu that do create their own nation will often be isolated. The people that leave an isolated village might be hunted down to keep the secrets and tradition a mystery. The tribal beliefs of the dōbutsu resemble the American Indians and like the isolated country do not believe that they are inferior.
Dōbutsu Names[edit]
Dōbutsu's names are not tied down by gender. They also do not keep a name for life so parents might not put the thought into a name before naming their child. Once a child becomes 10 or completes a goal they are given a reborn name to symbolize a second birth and adulthood. A dōbutsu can choose to keep their child name at 10 if so they are considered an adult and may not be reborn.
Birth Name: Lily, Lilac, Bob, Ramon, Sword, Bow, Flare
Reborn Name: Hades, Greed, Lust, Hercules, Shaggy
Dōbutsu Traits[edit]
Anime animal people.
Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by 2.
Age. Dōbutsu come of age in their teens and rarely exceed one century.
Alignment. Being so closely aligned with the fey, dōbutsu take after them and their chaotic natures.
Size. Dōbutsu vary from below five feet to seven feet tall. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Beast Senses. You are proficient in the Perception skill.
Darkvision. 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.
Natural Weapons. Your claws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.
Savage Attacks. When you score a critical hit with a melee weapon attack, you can roll one of the weapon's damage dice one additional time and add it to the extra damage of the critical hit.
Languages. You can speak, read and write Common and Sylvan.
Subrace. You may choose the type of dōbutsu you will be. There are four different types: neko, kitsune, okami, and usagi.
Neko[edit]
The neko have similarities to domesticated cats. People usually think of them as being weaker than the other dōbutsu. They often go adventuring having a super high chance of leaving home because of the curiosity inside them. The neko have tails and ears that are more glossy and often lick them. The nekos of the past often were seen with wild cats that seemed to be close companions.
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Nimble Climber. Your limbs are strengthened by your animal aspect. You have a climbing speed equal to your walking speed.
Tail. You have a feline tail that you can use to interact with an object.
Kitsune[edit]
The kitsune get traits resembling a fox yokai. They are more like tricksters than the other dōbutsu and have a higher chance of becoming chaotic. Kitsune fur has a large amount of magic made into it giving the appearance of glowing. The kitsune often tricks humans into falling in love with it then taking them out.
Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 1.
Fox Tails. You have the tail of a fox and gain an additional tail every other level until you have 9 tails. You can use your tail as if it were a spellcasting focus.
Fox Illusion. You know the minor illusion cantrip. At 5th level, you can cast the alter self spell once, requiring no material components, and you regain the ability to cast it this way when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for this spell.
Okami[edit]
The okami are the wolf of the dōbutsu world. They are super loyal and often are more lawful than chaotic. The okami fur is often wilder than the other subraces. In the past, they were the strongest warriors in the dōbutsu. They were as crazy as Norse berserkers but also had a strong scene of morals. They have mostly kept the same moral but some have twist law so that they may accomplish their goals.
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 1.
Keen Ears. You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing.
Relentless Endurance. When you are reduced to 0 hit points but not killed outright, you can drop to 1 hit point instead. You can’t use this feature again until you finish a long rest.
Usagi[edit]
The Usagi have similarities to rabbits. People usually think of them as being weaker than the other dōbutsu. They often go adventuring having a super high chance of leaving home because of the curiosity inside them. The Usagi have tails and ears that are more glossy and often lick them. The Usagi of the past often were rarely seen unless to give aid to hurt or lost travelers.
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Nimble Climber. Your limbs are strengthened by your animal aspect. You have a climbing speed equal to your walking speed.
Rabbit's Agility. Your reflexes and agility allow you to move with a burst of speed. When you move on your turn in combat, you can double your speed until the end of the turn. Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you move 0 feet on one of your turns.
Random Height and Weight[edit]
Base Height |
Height Modifier* |
Base Weight |
Weight Modifier** |
---|---|---|---|
4′ 8'' | +2d4 | 50 lb. | × (2d4) lb. |
*Height = base height + height modifier |
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