Shifters

**Shifters**, native to the grasslands of eastern Almeras, are humanoid creatures that possess unique animalistic features and tendencies, and generally possess the ability to temporarily revert to a wilder animal form. Shifters commonly are very tribal and have a fierce loyalty to their commune. Unlike humans, they tend to also act and think more like wild animals, qualifying their ways of life in terms of hunting and prey, and sometimes finding it difficult to deal with scenarios in ways that would be considered civilised.

## Description

Shifters resemble humans but with more animal-like features. Their bodies are typically physically fit, lithe, and densely muscled. They tend to move around in an animal-like manner: crouching, springing and leaping. Somewhat like cats, they have wide flat noses with large eyes, pointed ears and claw-like nails on both their toes and fingers. Their hair is thick and worn long and some males have long sideburns or assorted facial hair to match. They are often burlier and hairier than humans, and have other features unique to their specific subrace.

## Culture & Society

Shifters generally live nomadic lifestyles in what they call *packs*. The pack is typically others of their kind, and in most cases simply extended family. However, despite their inherently distrustful nature, shifters will accept anyone into their pack that proves their merit. If finding themselves without a pack, shifters will nearly always seek out family or companions of some kind rather than work alone. They make useful companions and thrive in teams, capable of coordination, selflessness, and intense loyalty to their kin. A shifter will always come to the rescue of any of its pack members.

Shifters instruct their young to play games that teach self-reliance and hunting skills. Their games focus on speed or stealth and fail to see the point of solely mental games or games of leisure. It is not common for shifters to gamble or make bets but they're more inclined to do so when the bet is about their own performance. Most shifters scoff at gambling games that rely solely on luck. Shifter games generally involve physical expertise, be it stealth, speed, strength, nimbleness, or any physical merit. This does not mean that shifters scoff at intelligence or wits, but they only see true value in mental talent when it serves to enhance physical prowess.

Despite their emphasis on the physical parts of life, shifters still possess a deeply rich culture. They have developed a form of art and expression that reflects their nomadic and independent nature. Shifter art is never stationary or impractical to carry around. Instead, their art is etched into them in the form of tattoos, or woven into their hair and clothing. One form of shifter art are totem braids, which are woven into the hair before attempting a task or making an oath. The unique braid represents the oath or task and upon completion of either or the breaking of oath, the braid is cut off. It is believed by pack members that these totem braids bring them good fortune. Shifters also display artistic talent through their tattoos which come in two forms: morphic and static. Morphic tattoos change their imagery when the wearer uses their shifting abilities, whereas static remain the same regardless. Morphic tattoos are used to mark one's physical or mental accomplishments whilst static signify an affiliation to a clan or bond to a loved one.

## Subraces

### Beasthide Shifters

Beasthide shifters possess an innate affinity with bears or boars, possessing traits and adopting lifestyles shaped around the natural ways of these animals. They are often stoic, stubborn, and thick-skinned, with emphasis on individual strength and physical ability.

### Longtooth Shifters

Longtooth shifters possess an innate affinity with wolves and other pack-hunting creatures, possessing traits and adopting lifestyles shaped around the natural ways of these animals. They are often lithe, clever, and have a particularly strong bond with their pack.

### Swiftstride Shifters

Swiftstride shifters possess an innate affinity with wild cats and other graceful predators, possessing traits and adopting lifestyles shaped around the natural ways of these animals. They are often predatory, acrobatic, and cunning, with a unique fondness for stealth and disguise.

### Wildhunt Shifters

Wildhunt shifters possess an innate affinity with those animals that track their prey with guile and skill, possessing traits and adopting lifestyles shaped around the natural ways of these animals. They are often methodical, wise, and have a rich understanding of the land.

## Properties

### Beasthide Shifters

* ***Ability Score Increase.*** Your Constitution score increases by 2, and your Strength score increases by 1.
* ***Size.*** Your size is Medium.
* ***Speed.*** Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
* ***Darkvision***. 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 colour in darkness, only shades of grey.
* ***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 1d6 + your level + your Constitution modifier (minimum of 1 temporary hit point). You also have a +1 bonus to your armour class. Once you shift, you can't do so again until you finish a short or long rest.
* ***Natural Athlete.*** You have proficiency in the Athletics skill.

### Longtooth Shifters

* ***Ability Score Increase.*** Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Dexterity score increases by 1.
* ***Size.*** Your size is Medium.
* ***Speed.*** Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
* ***Darkvision***. 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 colour in darkness, only shades of grey.
* ***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). 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. Once you shift, you can't do so again until you finish a short or long rest.
* ***Fierce.*** You have proficiency in the Intimidation skill.

### Swiftstride Shifters

* ***Ability Score Increase.*** Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Charisma score increases by 1.
* ***Size.*** Your size is Medium.
* ***Speed.*** Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
* ***Darkvision***. 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 colour in darkness, only shades of grey.
* ***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). 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. Once you shift, you can't do so again until you finish a short or long rest.
* ***Graceful.*** You have proficiency in the Acrobatics skill.

### Wildhunt Shifters

* ***Ability Score Increase.*** Your Wisdom score increases by 2, and your Dexterity score increases by 1.
* ***Size.*** Your size is Medium.
* ***Speed.*** Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
* ***Darkvision***. 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 colour in darkness, only shades of grey.
* ***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). 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. Once you shift, you can't do so again until you finish a short or long rest.
* ***Natural Tracker.*** You have proficiency in the Survival skill.