Shifter

Shifters, sometimes called “the weretouched,” are descended from humans and natural lycanthropes, now nearly extinct on Khorvaire. Shifters cannot fully change shape but can take on animalistic features—a state they call shifting. Shifters have evolved into a unique race that breeds true. They have a distinct culture with its own traditions and identity.

The personality and behavior of shifters are influenced by their animal natures. Many are boorish and crude, while others are quiet, shifty, and solitary. Just as most lycanthropes are carnivores, shifters have a predatory personality and think of most activities in terms of hunting and prey. They view survival as a challenge, striving to be self-reliant, adaptable, and resourceful.

Eyes of the Beast

Shifters are basically humanoid in shape, but their bodies are exceptionally lithe. They often move in a crouched posture, springing and leaping while their companions walk normally alongside. Their faces have a bestial cast, with wide, flat noses, large eyes and heavy eyebrows, pointed ears, and long sideburns (in both sexes). Their forearms and lower legs grow long hair, and the hair of their heads is thick and worn long.

“Unnatural” Outcasts

Many races feel uncomfortable around shifters, the same way they feel around any large predator. Of course, some grow to appreciate individual shifters despite their natural aversion, and halfl ings in general get along well with them. For their part, shifters are accustomed to distrust and don’t expect better treatment from members of the other races, although some shifters try to earn respect and companionship through acts and deeds.

The fact that none of the dragonmarked houses includes shifters cements their place outside the mainstream of society.

Most shifters incline toward the druidbased religion of the Eldeen Reaches, believing in the divine power of the earth itself, the elements, and the creatures of the earth. Those shifters who revere the pantheon of the Sovereign Host are drawn toward the deities Balinor and Boldrei, while other shifters follow the Traveler. Shifters rarely worship the Silver Flame.

Discovering the world

Moving from the rugged, self-reliant life of a shifter trapper or hunter to an adventuring life is not a big step. Many shifters find themselves embarking on adventuring careers after something happens to disrupt their everyday routines—a monstrous incursion into their village or forest, for example, or a guide job gone sour.

Shifter Names

Shifters use the same names as humans, often ones that sound rustic to city-dwellers.

Shifter Traits

Ability Score Increase: Your Wisdom score increases by 2.

Alignment: Shifters are usually neutral, viewing the struggle to survive as more important than moral or ethical concerns about how survival is maintained.

Size: Shifters are about the same size as humans. Your size is Medium.

Speed: Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision: Your lycanthropic heritage grants you the ability to see in dark conditions. 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.

Shifting: On your turn, you can shift as a bonus action. Shifting lasts for 1 minute, until you end it on your turn as a bonus action, or until you are knocked out.

While shifting, you gain temporary hit points equal to your character level + your Proficiency bonus, and an ability that depends on your choosen shifter feature, described below. If you are able to cast Spells, you can't cast them or concentrate on them while shifting.

Shifting is a physical surge that boost you for a short time period. If you shift more than once before you finish a short or long rest, you must espend one hit dice each time you do it.

Languages: You can speak, read, and write Common and Sylvan.

Subrace: Several subraces of shifter exist, each with its own animalistic features. Choose one of the options below.

Canine shifters

Canine shifters are strong and fierce. While shifting, they gain the ability to incapacitate the enemies using their fangs and follow their preys no matter how well they hide.

Ability Score: Your Strenght score increases by 1.

Skilled: You gain proficiency in the Athletics skill.

Shifting Feature: Choose one of the features below:

  • Wolf: You have advantage on a melee attack roll against a creature if at least one of your allies is within 5 feet of the creature and your ally isn't incapacitated.
  • Hound: Your superior sense of smell grant you Blindsight 30 feet.

Feline shifters

Feline shifters are fast and elegant. While shifting, they gain ability to exploit the distraction of its enemies and position themselves without being harm.

Ability Score: Your Dexterity score increases by 1.

Skilled: You gain proficiency in the Acrobatics skill.

Shifting Feature: Choose one of the features below:

  • Lion: You can deal 1d8 extra piercing damage with a weapon attack if you moved at least 10 feet uninterrupted and immediately before that attack.
  • Cheetah: You can take the Dash action as a bonus action. If you take the Dash action, every time you move more than 5 feet, each opportunity attack made against you during the subsequent uninterrupted movement is done with disadvantage.

Ursidae shifters

Ursidae shifters are though and powerful. While shifting, they gain ability to endure deadly strikes and overwhelm its enemies.

Ability Score: Your Constitution score increases by 1.

Skilled: You gain proficiency in the Survival skill.

Shifting Feature: Choose one of the features below:

  • Polar: You gain a +1 bonus to AC.
  • Grizzly: When you damage an enemy with an melee weapon attack, you can try to grapple it as part of the same attack.

Dreamsight shifters

Dreamsight shifters are the rarest of all. While shifting, they gain ability to touch other creatures through the dreams energy.

Ability Score: Your Charisma score increases by 1.

Skilled: You gain proficiency in the Animal Handling skill.

Shifting Feature: Choose one of the features below:

  • Menura: You can cast spells and concentrate on them normally. Additionally, you are under the effects of a Speak with Animals spell.
  • Owl: You can cast spells and concentrate on them normally. Additionally, you can cast the Suggestion spell on any sleeping humanoid or beast. The effect originates on the target dreams and the sleeping time does not count against the spell duration. You only can use this feature to cast Suggestion once per shifting. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for this trait.