Hengeyokai
21 variants
Hengeyokai are intelligent, shape changing animals that occur naturally. They can take on humanoid forms and come in a staggering variety. Hengeyokai are an ancient race steeped in mystery and secrets about their own nature and their true intentions.
One Mind, Many Forms
In animal form, a Hengeyokai are indiscernible from an ordinary animal of its kind, and only magic or careful observation of its intelligent behavior could tell that there was more than met the eye.The animal form can be no larger than 2–3 ft in length.
In "hybrid" or "bipedal" form, they stand upright on their hind legs or rear limbs; their front paws, fins, or wings transform into fully functional hands; and their torso and head take a humanoid posture. They remained very animal-like, retaining fur or feathers, wings or a tail if they'd had one, and other distinctive features. They were as tall and as heavy as a regular local human,usually standing 5–6 ft tall and weighing 100–140 lbs.
Finally, in human form, a hengeyokai entirely resembles a typical human, of the same height as their hybrid form. However, they usually had features reminiscent of their animal form, such as beady eyes and a long moustache for a rat or a long and pointy nose for a sparrow. The human form is similar to humans of the land in which they'd been born, but was on average smaller and slighter.
Natural Shapechangers
Hengeyokai are natural beings with an origin tied to the Fey. It is said they are the ancient union of animal spirits and humans or elves. Their transformations have no connection to the moon and they cannot infect others with the curse of Lycanthropy. Each form has several benefits and drawbacks for the Hengeyokai, though they retain their personality, knowledge, skills, and abilities in all forms, even if they could not always make use of them. Furthermore, each subrace has distinct strengths, weaknesses, and features according to their animal form.
When they are born they live their first 100 years as an intelligent animal before they change into their hybrid and humanoid forms. The longer they live the more they forget about the memories from their life as an animal.
A Hengeyokai would adopt different forms according to their needs and the situation. 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. 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.
A Mysterious and Secretive People
Hengeyokai are by-and-large a reclusive and secretive race who preferred to live alone or in very small communities. Understanding that they were unlike humans, Hengeyokai usually make no attempt to fit into their society or remain among them for very long. Most avoided contact with other sentient races, nevertheless, while Hengeyokai were wary of strangers, those who showed them true kindness were rewarded with close and long-lasting friendship.
They lack religion, but might follow schools of philosophy much as monks did. They believed what they liked, worshiped however they liked, rarely followed doctrine, and ignored any suggestion of heresy.They usually declined to make any pacts with beings they might have to acknowledge as superior.
Wild at heart, Hengeyokai broadly tend toward chaotic and unpredictable behavior and are firmly independently minded. They value both their own freedom and the freedom of others. They were always on the move to avoid being pinned down, even if staying within the same region. They avoid making attachments, for these could bind them as surely as any bonds. The greatest insult one could give a Hengeyokai was trapping them in a cage. Seeing a slave or a trapped animal was abhorrent to them.
Hengeyokai of all breeds were naturally mischievous and enjoyed tricking people, regardless of what others, or their victims, thought of them for it. They did this to test others' reactions, to prepare for a hazardous circumstance, to hone their skills, and simply for their own amusement. They valued a prank played well, without witnesses or getting caught. Most were harmless and good-natured, if frustrating.
Hengeyokai frequently shared personality traits with their animal type. For example, hare Hengeyokai were peaceful yet quick to take fright, while monkey Hengeyokai were especially curious.
All subraces shared their own common language, called "Hengeyokai". They could speak it in any form. It used the alphabet of the common tongue. In addition, they had a supernatural power to communicate with animals of their own kind, depending on which form they were in.
Hengeyokai are intelligent, shape changing animals that occur naturally. They can take on humanoid forms and come in a staggering variety. Hengeyokai are an ancient race steeped in mystery and secrets about their own nature and their true intentions.
One Mind, Many Forms
In animal form, a Hengeyokai are indiscernible from an ordinary animal of its kind, and only magic or careful observation of its intelligent behavior could tell that there was more than met the eye.The animal form can be no larger than 2–3 ft in length.
In "hybrid" or "bipedal" form, they stand upright on their hind legs or rear limbs; their front paws, fins, or wings transform into fully functional hands; and their torso and head take a humanoid posture. They remained very animal-like, retaining fur or feathers, wings or a tail if they'd had one, and other distinctive features. They were as tall and as heavy as a regular local human,usually standing 5–6 ft tall and weighing 100–140 lbs.
Finally, in human form, a hengeyokai entirely resembles a typical human, of the same height as their hybrid form. However, they usually had features reminiscent of their animal form, such as beady eyes and a long moustache for a rat or a long and pointy nose for a sparrow. The human form is similar to humans of the land in which they'd been born, but was on average smaller and slighter.
Natural Shapechangers
Hengeyokai are natural beings with an origin tied to the Fey. It is said they are the ancient union of animal spirits and humans or elves. Their transformations have no connection to the moon and they cannot infect others with the curse of Lycanthropy. Each form has several benefits and drawbacks for the Hengeyokai, though they retain their personality, knowledge, skills, and abilities in all forms, even if they could not always make use of them. Furthermore, each subrace has distinct strengths, weaknesses, and features according to their animal form.
When they are born they live their first 100 years as an intelligent animal before they change into their hybrid and humanoid forms. The longer they live the more they forget about the memories from their life as an animal.
A Hengeyokai would adopt different forms according to their needs and the situation. 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. 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.
A Mysterious and Secretive People
Hengeyokai are by-and-large a reclusive and secretive race who preferred to live alone or in very small communities. Understanding that they were unlike humans, Hengeyokai usually make no attempt to fit into their society or remain among them for very long. Most avoided contact with other sentient races, nevertheless, while Hengeyokai were wary of strangers, those who showed them true kindness were rewarded with close and long-lasting friendship.
They lack religion, but might follow schools of philosophy much as monks did. They believed what they liked, worshiped however they liked, rarely followed doctrine, and ignored any suggestion of heresy.They usually declined to make any pacts with beings they might have to acknowledge as superior.
Wild at heart, Hengeyokai broadly tend toward chaotic and unpredictable behavior and are firmly independently minded. They value both their own freedom and the freedom of others. They were always on the move to avoid being pinned down, even if staying within the same region. They avoid making attachments, for these could bind them as surely as any bonds. The greatest insult one could give a Hengeyokai was trapping them in a cage. Seeing a slave or a trapped animal was abhorrent to them.
Hengeyokai of all breeds were naturally mischievous and enjoyed tricking people, regardless of what others, or their victims, thought of them for it. They did this to test others' reactions, to prepare for a hazardous circumstance, to hone their skills, and simply for their own amusement. They valued a prank played well, without witnesses or getting caught. Most were harmless and good-natured, if frustrating.
Hengeyokai frequently shared personality traits with their animal type. For example, hare Hengeyokai were peaceful yet quick to take fright, while monkey Hengeyokai were especially curious.
All subraces shared their own common language, called "Hengeyokai". They could speak it in any form. It used the alphabet of the common tongue. In addition, they had a supernatural power to communicate with animals of their own kind, depending on which form they were in.
Traits
Superior Darkvision
120 ft (Hybrid or Animal form only)
Shapechangers
You have three natural forms, Animal, Humanoid, and Hybrid. You can change between them. Your age and experience determines how often and fast you can change your form. Change Duration: The amount of time it takes you to change from one of your forms to another. Change Frequence: The amount of time you remain in your current form before you can change forms.
Skilled
Long lived and talented, you become proficient with any one language, skill or Artisan Tool.
Arcane Disposition
You learn any two cantrips that are not class specific (Such as Eldtritch Blast)as your arcane nature permeates your very being.
Spirit Sight
Your connection to spirits allows you to see ethereal beings that exist on the Astral Plane such as Ghosts.
Shapechangers
| Level | Change Duration | Change Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 Minutes | 24 hours |
| 3 | 5 Minutes | 12 hours |
| 7 | 1 Minute | 4 hours |
Shapechangers
| Form | Feature |
|---|---|
| Animal | You are Vulnerable to all damage in this form and cannot change into any other form unless you are at your hit point maximum. You can communicate in this form but it is stunted and hard to understand if you are not speaking Hengetokai or to animals. |
| Humanoid | You have features from your animal form such as beady eyes if you are a Rat Hengeyokai. You cannot communicate with animals in this form though they can understand you. |
| Hybrid | Your hit point maximum is increased by your Proficiency Bonus + your INT modifier (Minimum 1) while in this form. Your AC is increased by one in this form. Hybrid forms do not have natural weapons from their Animal forms or any forms of movement from their Animal forms. |