Canis

**Canis** cannot decide the story of their origin, between two mythological beginnings. Most of these *dog-headed* humanoids rarely ponder the subject, living their lives in the comfort of their individual families, saving such speculation for the quiet times of their infirm years. However, some sages and historians frequently consider and debate this issue.

Although most people consider the debate purely academic, Canis spiritual leaders actively argue two versions of their creation. The original and most popular creation story comes down from their ancient tales, marking Canis as descendants of werewolves who rejected the chaos of their monthly murderous sprees. The newer origin theory, originally proposed by the Canis sages, argues that the fanatic enmity between lycanthropes and Canis comes from stresses placed upon the Canis by other races. Followers of this theory propose that their race came from the union of humans and Gnolls long before The Severance, and that early **Canis** became famed werewolf hunters to prove to fearful neighbours that they indeed were not werewolves themselves. There is evidence of early Canis and Lycan conflict, but this is as much evidence has been turned up. At least half of the Canis population consider this theory preposterous, although the younger generation seem to favor this less idealistic belief.

   Since The Severance, Most **Canis** are born as **twins** and share a bond unlike any other. They are very rarely seen without their twinned sibling and will often fight side by side should either of them be threatened. To be separated from their twin grants the Canis considerable anxiety. The death of ones twinned sibling is said to be the most tragic moment of a Canis' life, many believe they turn cold or heartless as they try to go on without them. Those that are born without a Twin are known by some as "Sole-born", highly respected and even feared amongst some Canis communities.

Built similarly to Orcs or tall Humans with the heads of dogs or wolves, many creatures mistake Canis for Gnolls or Werewolves from a distance. A coat of fur covers every Canis from head to toe, while some have longer, silkier hair (much like an Elf's) growing from the top of their heads. A Canis body fur can appear in various shades whites, blacks, light gray through all the shades of brown, much like a wolf, with occasional Canis sporting coats of brick red or golden yellow. Some Canis have a lighter shade of their body fur on their muzzle, ears, and around their eyes, while their head hair tends toward slightly darker shades. White muzzle fur and head hair mark Canis elders.

Thick, leathery skin covers the palms of Canis hands and the soles of their feet, and they usually keep their clawlike fingernails and toenails cut short. Canis have short, nonprehensile tails that they sometimes have difficulty controlling (especially when anxious or excited).

**Features**

**Ability Score Increase** Your Dexterity increases by 2, and your intelligence increases by 1.

**Creature Type** You are a Humanoid.

**Size** Built similarly to Orcs or tall Humans, your size is medium.

**Speed** Your walking speed is 35 feet.

**Canis weapon training** You have proficiency with Scimitars, Spears and Javelins.

**Canis Twin** If your twin is alive and you can see your twin, whenever you roll a 1 on an attack roll, ability check or saving throw, you can reroll the die and must use the new roll. If you fail a death saving throw within 30ft of your Twin, you can reroll the die and must use the new roll, after rerolling a death saving throw, you and your twin cannot use your *Canis Twin* feature until you have taken a long rest. If your twin is dead (or if you were born without a twin) you can't be frightened.

**Languages**  You can Speak, Read and write Common and Canin.

**Keen Smell** You have proficiency in one of the following skills of your choice; Perception or Survival. You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on scent. If you have picked up the scent of a creature and are tracking them, you have advantage on Wisdom (Survival) checks when trying to locate that creature, unless they have masked their scent.