## Mabari War Beast

A dwarf and his companions are walking along a trail, despite knowing it's a perfect place for an ambush. From behind the boulder up to his right leaps a goblin, screaming and swinging a flail. The dwarf's Mabari War Hound leaps up, grabs the goblin in his jaws, and tears it to shreds. The elf hunter knows her quarry is near. The tracks have lead her this far. She looks high in the sky, makes eye contact with her Mabari War Eagle. The eagle nods, then nose dives. The elf looses an arrow at the barely visible movement in the direction the eagle dove—she hears the satisfying thud as her prey falls to the ground. Orcs have been a nuisance to the halfling and his troop for as long as he can remember, but only recently have they turned deadly and unpredictable. The halfling paladin isn't fazed, sitting atop his Mabari War Raptor. He asks the raptor if she's ready; she nods her head, lets out a low growl, and charges into the unsuspecting orc patrol—ripping them limb from limb with ease. Wizards aren't known for their physical prowess, but the human isn't concerned about it—that's why his Mabari War Bear is always at his side. He readies a fireball to launch at the hobgoblins who backed him and his bear into a corner. A volley of arrows flies his way, but his bear jumps in the way, taking them all with his thick hide. The human launches a fireball over the bear, incinerating the troop of hobgoblins. ### Genetically Engineered Hounds Of all the animal species that the Formari have produced, none are so highly regarded or so widely famed as the Mabari War Hound. Justly renowned, Mabari War Hounds are intelligent war hounds fully capable of understanding speech and interpreting complex commands. The bulk of Mabari War Beasts will bond with a single warrior, whom they will fight beside and follow until death takes them; for there are many stories of War Beast avenging a fallen master before lying down beside his corpse to join him. Originally engineered with selective breeding and arcane magic, the first, and most common, Mabari was created: the Mabari War Hound. Mabari War Hounds are huge mastiffs with a touch of wolf blood that stand as tall as a dwarf and just as wide. ``` ```

### Unbreakable Bonds Altered via a combination of selective breeding, arcane magic, and druidcraft, Mabari War Beasts are bred for the express purpose of being highly-intelligent and loyal war beasts. They inherit an artificially high intelligence. Each Mabari chooses their master for life in a process called *imprinting*, and is loyal to that individual until they or the beast dies. Although fierce combatants, a Mabari companion is shown to be a highly sociable animal. Though not capable of speech, they can clearly respond to speech with growls, whines, barks and several other actions that demonstrate intelligent comprehension. Their masters (or “partners” as many of those paired with a Mabari prefer) will often choose a distinct style of war paint to mark them with so that they can better pick them out from other Mabari at a distance in the midst of combat. Correspondingly, many warriors who frequently fight alongside Mabari War Hounds will scent themselves with distinctively pungent body paint called “kaddis”, which allows the dogs to easily mark them as allies. Due to their great value, “feral” Mabari are unheard of. ### Other Mabari Beasts Over time, the Formari have managed to create other breeds of war beasts, each with an intelligence far above that of their original species. The most common Mabari is still the War Hound, but others have been known to bond with warriors and adventurers. Mabari War Beast species are categorized into one of three groups: quadripedal, bipedal, and aerial. Other species of note include tigers, raptors, and eagles.

CHARACTER RACES |
MABARI WAR BEAST

\page ### Mabari War Beast Traits All Mabari War Beasts share the following racial traits. ***Ability Scores.*** The Mabari's ability scores are determined by its species category. ***Hit Points.*** The Mabari's hit dice is determined by its species category. ***Age.*** Mabari War Beasts mature slightly slower and live significantly longer than their mundane counterparts, reaching adulthood in 3-4 years and living as long as 30 years. ***Alignment.*** Most Mabari are either unaligned or follow the same alignment as their partner. ***Personality.*** The Mabari shares its partner’s ideal, and its bond is always, “The partner who travels with me is a beloved companion for whom I would gladly give my life.” You may roll for its personality trait and flaw from the following tables. ***Size.*** Depending on the original species, Mabari War Beasts can stand between 3 and 8 feet tall, and weight anywhere between 200 and 1000 pounds. Its size is Medium, regardless of species. Halflings and other Small humanoids ride Mabari as mounts. ***Speed.*** The Mabari's speed is determined by its species category. ***Darkvision.*** Mabari 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. They can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray. ***Keen Hearing and Smell.*** The Mabari has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing, sight, or smell. ***Pack Tactics.*** The Mabari has advantage on attack rolls against a creature if at least one of the beast's allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn't incapacitated. ***Armor Class.*** The Mabari's armor class while not wearing armor is 10 + its Constitution Modifer + its Dexterity modifier. ***Armor.*** Mabari can wear armor, called barding (just like a mount's armor). Barding is armor designed to protect an animal’s head, neck, chest, and body. Any type of armor shown on the Armor table can be purchased as barding. The cost for a Mabari War Beast's armor is two times the equivalent armor made for humanoids. ``` ```
***Bite.*** A Mabari War Beast's teeth are natural melee weapons, which it can use to make unarmed strikes. If it hits with them, it deals piercing damage equal to 1d6 + its Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike. ***Claws.*** A Mabari War Beast's claws are natural melee weapons, which it can use to make unarmed strikes. If it hits with them, it deals slashing damage equal to 1d6 + its Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike. ***Languages.*** Mabari can understand one language (usually the primary language of its partner), but cannot speak. They can communicate with grunts and growls to affirm comprehension, but can't form words. ***Species Category.*** There are three main species categories of Mabari War Beasts: quadripedal, bipedal, and aerial. Choose one of these species categories. Examples of animals are given in the species description, but at your DM's discretion, other species may be available. ***Class and Leveling.*** Whenever its partner gains a level, the Mabari War Beast also gains a level, regardless of how much or how little it has participated in its partner’s adventures. A Mabari War Beast can only take the class mentioned in this document, the *War Beast*. Some of its class features are dictated by what species it is. |d6 |Trait| |:---:|:---| |1| I’m dauntless in the face of adversity.| |2| Threaten my friends, threaten me.| |3| I stay on alert so others can rest.| |4| People see an animal and underestimate me. I use that to my advantage.| |5| I have a knack for showing up in the nick of time.| |6| I put my friends’ needs before my own in all things.| |d6 |Flaw| |:---:|:---| |1| If there’s food left unattended, I’ll eat it.| |2| I growl at strangers, and all people except my partner are strangers to me.| |3| Any time is a good time for a belly rub.| |4| I’m deathly afraid of water.| |5| My idea of hello is a flurry of licks to the face.| |6| I jump on creatures to tell them how much I love them.|

CHARACTER RACES |
MABARI WAR BEAST

\page ``` ``` ### Quadripedal Mabari War Beast The most common Mabari War Beast species is the hound: a Mabari War Hound is a huge mastiff with a touch of wolf blood that stands as tall as a dwarf and just as wide. They weight between 300 and 500 pounds. Slightly less common is the feline Mabari, typically with tiger- or panther-colored fur. Mabari War Cats are slightly shorter than the hounds, but also slightly longer. They also weight between 300 and 500 pounds. Highly prized and much harder to breed are the Mabari War Bears. These beasts are the size of brown bears, and typically have brown or black fur. While on all fours, they are about 4-5 feet tall, but if they stand on their hind legs they can easily reach 8-10 feet tall. They weight between 500 and 900 pounds. #### Quadripedal Mabari Traits Quadripedal Mabari War Beasts have the following traits in common, in addition to the traits they share with other Mabari. ***Speed.*** A Quadripedal Mabari's base walking speed is
30 ft. It also has a climbing speed of 30 ft. ***Growl.*** As an action, the Mabari can growl at a single creature within 5 feet. If one of the beast’s allies attacks the target before the Mabari’s next turn, the first Attack roll is made with advantage. #### Ability Scores Mabari don't roll for ability scores. Instead, a quadripedal Mabari War Beast starts at 1st level with the following ability scores. |STR|DEX|CON|INT|WIS|CHA| |:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:| |14 (+2)|14 (+2)|12 (+1)|10 (+0)|12 (+1)|10 (+0)| #### Hit Points ___ - **Hit Dice:** 1d12 per Mabari War Beast level. - **Hit Points at 1st Level:** 12 + Constitution modifier. - **Hit Points at Higher Levels:** 1d12 (or 7) + Constitution modifier per Mabari War Beast level after 1st. #### Proficiencies ___ - **Armor:** All armor - **Saving Throws:** Strength, Constitution - **Skills:** Choose three skills from Athletics, Acrobatics, Stealth, Nature, Insight, Perception,
Survival, Intimidation

CHARACTER RACES | QUADRIPEDAL MABARI WAR BEAST

\page

### Bipedal Mabari War Beast Formari who ventured away from their homeland decided to try their hand at training animals not native back home. Many Formari who live in jungles have learned to train and breed allosauruses, except the Mabari version is slightly smaller than the wild ones. Called Mabari War Raptors, they stand about 6 feet tall, are about 15 feet from snout to tail tip, and weigh between 400 and 900 pounds. In the deserts and savannahs of the world, the Formari train giant, bipedal birds such as ostriches. Bred to be large and vicious, with longer talons and a mean streak that can barely be quenched, the Mabari War Landbird stands well over 8 feet tall and weighs between 250 and 500 pounds. #### Bipedal Beast Traits Bipedal Mabari War Beasts have the following traits in common, in addition to the traits they share with other Mabari. ***Speed.*** A Bipedal Mabari War Beast's base walking speed is 40 ft. ***Pounce.*** If the Mabari moves at least 30 feet straight toward a creature and then hits it with a claw attack on the same turn, that target must succeed on a Strength saving throw (DC = 8 + the Mabari’s proficiency bonus + the Mabari's Strength modifier) or be knocked prone. #### Ability Scores Mabari War Beasts don't roll for ability scores. Instead, a bipedal Mabari War Beast starts at 1st level with the following ability scores. |STR|DEX|CON|INT|WIS|CHA| |:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:| |14 (+2)|14 (+2)|14 (+2)|10 (+0)|10 (+0)|10 (+0)| ``` ```

#### Hit Points ___ - **Hit Dice:** 1d10 per Mabari War Beast level. - **Hit Points at 1st Level:** 10 + Constitution modifier. - **Hit Points at Higher Levels:** 1d10 (or 6) + Constitution modifier per Mabari War Beast level after 1st. #### Proficiencies ___ - **Armor:** All armor - **Saving Throws:** Strength, Constitution - **Skills:** Choose three skills from Athletics, Acrobatics, Stealth, Nature, Insight, Perception, Survival, Intimidation

CHARACTER RACES | BIPEDAL MABARI WAR BEAST

\page ### Aerial Mabari War Beast Sometimes the Formari need eyes in the sky, so they adapted their methods of making a Mabari to breed flying creatures. The most common Aerial Mabari War Beast is the Mabari War Eagle. Slightly smaller than a giant eagle, a Mabari War Eagle has a wingspan of about 15-20 feet, stands over 6 feet tall, and and weighs between 300 and 600 pounds. Formari from woodland realms sometimes train giant owls to be their companions; Mabari War Owls are about the same size as Mabari War Eagles. In the jungles of the world, Formari who train raptors tend to also train pteranodons. Mabari War Pteranodons have a wingspan of 20-25 feet, and can clumsily walk with their short back legs and their long winged arms with their wings folded back. They typically weigh between 200 and 400 pounds, and stand about 5 feet tall when on all fours. Some Formari wanted to give themselves a challenge, taming giant bats instead of more traditional flying creatures; Mabari War Bats are about the same size as Mabari War Pteranodons, and walk in the same manner. #### Aerial Beast Traits Aerial Mabari War Beasts have the following traits in common, in addition to the traits they share with other Mabari. ***Speed.*** An Aerial Mabari War Beast's base walking speed is 10 ft. It also has a flying speed of 40 ft. ``` ```

***Dive.*** If the Mabari flies at least 30 feet straight toward a creature and then hits it with a claw attack on the same turn, that target must succeed on a Strength saving throw (DC = 8 + the Mabari’s proficiency bonus + the Mabari's Strength modifier) or be knocked prone. ***Dextrous Claws.*** An Aerial Mabari War Beast's Claw attack has the *finesse* property, and can use Dexterity instead of Strength for attack and damage rolls for it. ***Armored Flying.*** An Aerial Mabari War Beast can't fly while wearing heavy armor. #### Ability Scores Mabari War Beasts don't roll for ability scores. Instead, an Aerial Mabari War Beast starts at 1st level with the following ability scores. |STR|DEX|CON|INT|WIS|CHA| |:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:| |12 (+1)|14 (+2)|12 (+1)|10 (+0)|14 (+2)|10 (+0)| #### Hit Points ___ - **Hit Dice:** 1d8 per Mabari War Beast level. - **Hit Points at 1st Level:** 8 + Constitution modifier. - **Hit Points at Higher Levels:** 1d8 (or 5) + Constitution modifier per Mabari War Beast level after 1st. #### Proficiencies ___ - **Armor:** All armor - **Saving Throws:** Strength, Dexterity - **Skills:** Choose three skills from Athletics, Acrobatics, Stealth, Nature, Insight, Perception, Survival, Intimidation

CHARACTER RACES | AERIAL MABARI WAR BEAST

\page

##### The War Beast | Level | Proficiency Bonus | Features | |:---:|:---:|:---| | 1st | +2 | Fortitude, Second Wind | | 2nd | +2 | Danger Sense | | 3rd | +2 | Overwhelm | | 4th | +2 | Ability Score Improvement| | 5th | +3 | Extra Attack (1) | | 6th | +3 | Ability Score Improvement | | 7th | +3 | Combat Training, Bestial Prowess | | 8th | +3 | Ability Score Improvement| | 9th | +4 | Indomitable (1 use) | | 10th | +4 | Dread Cry, Primal Attacks | | 11th | +4 | Extra Attack (2) | | 12th | +4 | Ability Score Improvement| | 13th | +5 | Indomitable (2 uses) | | 14th | +5 | Ability Score Improvement | | 15th | +5 | Shred, Rapid Movement | | 16th | +5 | Ability Score Improvement| | 17th | +6 | Indomitable (3 uses)| | 18th | +6 | Nemesis| | 19th | +6 | Ability Score Improvement | | 20th | +6 | Extra Attack (3), Improved
Primal Attacks |

#### Fortitude Starting at 1st level, the ordeals of the road have increased the Mabari's tolerance for the elements. The Mabari gains resistance to cold, fire, and lightning damage. Additionally, the Mabari has advantage on saving throws to avoid exhaustion. #### Second Wind Also at 1st level, the Mabari can use a bonus action on its turn to regain hit points equal to 1d10 + its level. Once the Mabari uses this feature, it must finish a short or long rest before it can use it again. #### Danger Sense Starting at 2nd level, the Mabari has advantage on Dexterity saving throws against effects that it can see, such as traps and spells. This feature doesn’t work if the Mabari is incapacitated. #### Overwhelm Starting at 3rd level, the Mabari’s attack rolls score a critical hit on a roll of 19 or 20.

CHARACTER RACES |
MABARI WAR BEAST

\page ### Ability Score Improvement At 4th level, and again at 6th, 8th, 12th, 14th, 16th, and 19th level, the Mabari increases one ability score by 2, or increases two ability scores each by 1. The Mabari can’t increase an ability score above 20 using this feature and it cannot use the optional Feats rule to take a feat instead. ### Extra Attack Starting at 5th level, the Mabari can attack twice, instead of once, whenever it takes the Attack action on its turn. The number of attacks increases to three when the Mabari reaches 11th level, and to four when it reaches 20th level. ### Combat Training Starting at 7th level, the Mabari’s attacks count as magical for the purposes of overcoming resistance and immunity to non-magical attacks. Additionally, the Mabari now has advantage on its initiative rolls. ### Bestial Prowess Also at 7th level, the Mabari's species-specific action becomes stronger. ___ **Quadripedal Mabari War Beast.** The Mabari can use its Growl action as a bonus action. ___ **Bipedal Mabari War Beast.** If the target is prone following its Pounce ability, the Mabari can make one bite attack against it as a bonus action. ___ **Aerial Mabari War Beast.** If the target is prone following its Dive ability, the Mabari can make one bite attack against it as a bonus action. ### Indomitable Starting at 9th level, the Mabari can reroll a saving throw that it fails. Once the Mabari uses this trait, it can't use it again until it finishes a long rest. The Mabari can use this feature twice between long rests starting at 13th level, and three times between long rests starting at 17th level. ``` ``` ### Dread Cry Starting at 10th level, the Mabari’s ability to intimidate its opponents has given it enough practise to make a terrifying sound. As an action, each creature of the Mabari’s choice within 30 feet that can hear it must make a Wisdom saving throw (DC = 8 + the Mabari’s proficiency bonus + the Mabari's Wisdom modifier) or become frightened of the Mabari until the end of its next turn. If a creature fails the saving throw by 5 or more, it is stunned until the end of the Mabari’s next turn instead. Pass or fail, once a creature has heard a Mabari’s Dread Cry, it is immune to the Dread Cries of all Mabari War Beasts for the next 24 hours. Once the Mabari uses this trait, it can’t do so again until it finishes a short or long rest. ### Primal Attacks Also at 10th level, the Mabari's natural weapons harden, dealing more damage. The damage dice for its Bite and Claw attacks become a d8. ### Shred Starting at 15th level, when the Mabari scores a critical hit with a weapon attack, if the target is a creature that can bleed (DM’s discretion), the target suffers additional damage. At the end of the target's next turn, it takes damage equal to twice the Mabari's Strength modifier. Additionally, the Mabari’s attacks score a critical hit on a roll of 18-20. ### Rapid Movement Also at 15th level, the Mabari becomes more agile. Its movement speed increases. ___ **Quadripedal Mabari War Beast.** The Mabari's base movement speed increases to 50 feet. ___ **Bipedal Mabari War Beast.** The Mabari's base movement speed increases to 60 feet. ___ **Aerial Mabari War Beast.** The Mabari's base flying speed increases to 60 feet. ### Nemesis Starting at 18th level, the Mabari becomes a relentless killer. The Mabari's hit point maximum increases by 36. Whenever it gains a level thereafter, its hit point maximum increases by an additional 2 hit points. Additionally, at the start of each of its turns in combat, the Mabari regains hit points equal to its Constitution modifier. The Mabari doesn’t gain this benefit if it has 0 hit points. ### Improved Primal Attacks At 20th level, the Mabari War Beast's natural weapons harden even more, dealing more damage. The damage dice for its Bite and Claw attacks become a d10.

CHARACTER RACES |
MABARI WAR BEAST

Options