Wilder

Wilder

Some shifters manifest terrible claws, others massive fangs, still others astounding speed or heightened senses. Merric’s gift from his lycanthrope ancestors was sheer toughness. Strength seeped into his bones and flooded his flesh.

-- Alton Tealeaf, Minstrel of Port Karnor

Biological Information BODY TYPE Humanoid VISION Darkvision ABILITIES Shifting Physical Characteristics SIZE Medium SPEED 30 ft. AVERAGE HEIGHT male- 5'7" female- 5'2" AVERAGE WEIGHT male- 160 lbs. female- 121 lbs. LIFESPAN Wilders are quick to mature both physically and emotionally, reaching young adulthood at age 10. They rarely live to be more than 70 years old. SKIN COLOR Wilders range from nearly black to very pale HAIR COLOR Brown Black Blond Red EYE COLOR Brown Blue Green Sociocultural Information PLANES Prime Material (Sytheria) ORIGIN Orgalis LANGUAGES Common

Wilders are sometimes called the weretouched, as many believe they are the descendants of humans and lycanthropes. Whatever their origins, wilders have evolved into a unique race. Whatever their origins, Wilders have evolved into a unique race, however consistently feel stuck between the wilds of nature and the expectations of an organized society. They are humanoids with a bestial aspect; while they can’t fully change shape, they can temporarily enhance their animalistic features — a state they call shifting. Each Wilder walks on the knife’s edge between the wilds and the world around them. Do they embrace their primal instincts or the path of civilization?

The Beast Within

Early in childhood, a Wilder forms a bond with a beast within, a totemic force that shapes their body and mind. Some Wilders believe that these spirits are independent entities, and they may speak of Bear or Wolf as ancestors or guides. Most just see the beast within as a formidable expression of their inner nature, something that emerges as the Wilder’s personality takes shape. The beast within is a pool of powerful instincts, and its influence is revealed by a Wilder’s personality: a feline Wilder may be cool and distant, driven by predatory instincts, while a Wilder with a lupine spirit might be drawn to find and protect a pack. When a Wilder fully embraces this beast within they physically transform for a short time.

A Wilder’s beast within is reflected by the Wilder’s subrace. Four subraces are especially common:

• Beasthide often signifies the bear or boar: stoic, stubborn, and thick-skinned.
• Lightfoot are often predatory and feline, but a Lightfoot could also be a cunning rat who darts through the shadows.
• Longtooth Wilders typically have lupine traits and prefer to run with a pack.
• Seaslick Wilders take on serpentine or piscean traits and enjoy talking their way out of trouble.
• Wildhunt Wilders are born from any creature that tracks its prey.

While the beast within certainly has a physical impact on a Wilder, it has a spiritual and psychological effect, as well. Two Beasthide Wilders share the same special ability, but if one has the aspect of the boar and the other is more like a bear, they’ll be quite different in personality. With any Wilder, identifying the beast within is a crucial part of understanding the character.

Similar and Diverse

Wilders are similar to humans in height and build but are typically more lithe and flexible. Their facial features have a bestial cast, often with large eyes, flat noses, and pointed ears; most Wilders also have prominent canine teeth. They grow fur-like hair on nearly every part of their bodies.

The traits of the beast within affect a Wilder’s appearance as well. A Lightfoot Wilder may have catlike eyes and delicate build, while a Beasthide Wilder might be a massive brute built like a bear. While a Wilder’s appearance might remind an onlooker of an animal, they remain clearly identifiable as Wilders even when at their most feral.

The Journey Yet to Come

Wilders have a strong presence in northern Orgalis but can be found in rural areas across Sytheria, where they often live among humans. While they form powerful bonds to friends and kin, Wilders place great value on self-reliance and freedom. It’s a Wilder proverb to “always be prepared for the journey yet to come,” and most Wilders strive to be ready for change or opportunity.

Wilders have a natural inclination toward classes with a primal connection. A Wilder barbarian draws their rage from the beast within. A Wilder ranger indulges their urge to wander and hunt. A Wilder rogue harnesses their own predatory instincts. But Wilders can pursue any path or faith.

Wilder Names

A Wilder has a given name, a family name, and a bestial name. Many Wilders prefer to keep their bestial names for their friends and use “proper names” with strangers. Bestial names are usually tied to a physical or personality trait.

Male Names: Alton, Ander, Cade, Corrin, Eldon, Errich, Finnan, Garret, Lindal, Lyle, Merric, Milo, Osborn, Perrin, Reed, Roscoe, Wellby
Female Names: Andry, Bree, Callie, Cora, Euphemia, Jillian, Kithri, Lavinia, Lidda, Merla, Nedda, Paela, Portia, Seraphina, Shaena, Trym, Vani, Verna
Family Names: Brushgather, Goodbarrel, Greenbottle, High-hill, Hilltopple, Leagallow, Tealeaf, Thorngage, Tosscobble, Underbough
Bestial Names: Badger, Bear, Cat, Fang, Grace, Grim, Moon, Rain, Red, Scar, Stripe, Swift, Talon, Wolf

Powers and Abilities

• Alignment- Wilders tend toward neutrality, being more focused on survival than concepts of good and evil. A love of personal freedom can drive shifters toward chaotic alignments.
• Shifting- As a bonus action, you can assume a more bestial appearance. This transformation lasts for 1 minute, until you die, or until you revert to your normal appearance as a bonus action. When you shift, you gain temporary hit points equal to your level + your Constitution modifier (minimum of 1 temporary hit point). You also gain additional benefits that depend on your shifter subrace, described below. Once you shift, you can’t do so again until you finish a short or long rest.

Subraces

Beasthide Wilders

Stoic and solid, a Beasthide Wilder draws strength and stability from the beast within. Beasthide Wilders are typically tied to the bear or the boar, but this subrace could embody any creature known for its toughness.

Power and Abilities

• Ability Score Increase- Your Constitution score increases by 2, and your Strength score increases by 1.
• Natural Athlete- You have proficiency in the Athletics skill.
• Shifting Feature- Whenever you shift, you gain 1d6 additional temporary hit points. While shifted, you have a +1 bonus to your Armor Class.

Lightfoot Wilders

Lightfoot Wilders are graceful and quick. Typically feline in nature, Lightfoot Wilders are often aloof and difficult to pin down physically or socially.

Power and Abilities

• Ability Score Increase- Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Charisma score increases by 1.
• Graceful- You have proficiency in the Acrobatics skill.
• Shifting Feature- While shifted, your walking speed increases by 10 feet. Additionally, you can move up to 10 feet as a reaction when a creature ends its turn within 5 feet of you. This reactive movement doesn’t provoke opportunity attacks.

Longtooth Wilders

Longtooth Wilders are fierce and aggressive, but they form deep bonds with their friends. Many longtooth Wilders have canine traits that become more pronounced as they shift, but they might instead draw on tigers, hyenas, or other predators.

Power and Abilities

• Ability Score Increase- Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Dexterity score increases by 1.
• Fierce- You have proficiency in the Intimidation skill.
• Shifting Feature- While shifted, you can use your elongated fangs to make an unarmed strike as a bonus action. If you hit with your fangs, you can deal piercing damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Seaslick Wilders

Seaslick Wilders are quick-witted and sly, often coming off as dishonest or underhanded. The truth is they act this way to distance themselves from those they do not like. Seaslick Wilders often take on serpentine or piscean characteristics.

Power and Abilities

• Ability Score Increase- Your Charisma score increases by 2, and your Desterity score increases by 1.
• Convincing- You have proficiency in the Persuasion skill.
• Shifting Feature- While shifted, when a creature attacks you with a melee attack when another viable target is within range, it attacks with disadvantage.

Wildhunt Wilders

Wildhunt Wilders are sharp and insightful. Many are constantly alert, ever wary for possible threats. Others focus on their intuition, searching within. Wildhunt Wilders are excellent hunters, and they also tend to become the spiritual leaders of shifter communities.

Power and Abilities

• Ability Score Increase- Your Wisdom score increases by 2, and your Dexterity increases by 1.
• Natural Tracker- You have proficiency in the Survival skill.
• Shifting Feature- While shifted, you have advantage on Wisdom checks, and no creature within 30 feet of you can make an attack roll with advantage against you, unless you’re incapacitated.