Beastkin
(Link to Wikis in Race Name)
‘Beastkin’ is an umbrella term for beings that share common traits and features that are animalistic in nature.
These beings can be split into two more general sub-categories. The first group would be the anthropomorphic animals. These often have a human-like form but have animal features like animal heads, fur/feathers, and claws. Examples of this are dragonborns and tabaxies. The second category is animal shapeshifters. These are magically intelligent animals that have the ability to transform into a human form or a ‘hybrid form’ for the sake of interactions and protection. Examples of these are fox hengeyokai and monkey hengeyokai.
Where they are often lumped together for the sake of generalization, the various types of Beastkin are very different in nature and society. They can range from warlords to common citizens to menaces of cities. Either way, assuming these people act expressively like the beasts they share features with would be a fool’s notion. They are living beings with free will and free thought and are capable of having a full adventuring life.
(Warning: If you are playing a Minotaur or Yuan-Ti, people will feel wary to be around your characters. Play at your own risk.)
Ability Score Increases:
+1 Dexterity, +1 of Choice
Racial Tensions:
None
Lifespan:
70 Years
Alignment:
Any
Size:
.85 – 1.0
Type:
Humanoid
Languages:
Common, Auran
Aarakocra
Sequestered in high mountains atop tall trees, the Aarakocra evokes fear and wonder. Many of these bird folk hail from the boundless vistas of the Elemental Plane of Air. They are immigrants, refugees, scouts, and explorers. Their outposts function as footholds in a world both strange and alien.
Boons
Banes
Ability Score Increases:
+1 Strength, +1 of Choice
Racial Tensions:
Dragons, Kobolds
Lifespan:
80 Years
Alignment:
Any, Mostly Good
Size:
1.0 – 1.2
Type:
Humanoid
Languages:
Common, Draconic
Dragonborn
Born of dragons, as their name proclaims, the Dragonborn walk proudly through a world that greets them with fearful incomprehension. Shaped by draconic gods or the dragons themselves, Dragonborn originally hatched from dragon eggs as a unique race, combining the best attributes of dragons and humanoids. Some are faithful servants to true dragons, others form the ranks of soldiers in great wars, and still, others find themselves adrift with no clear calling in life.
Dragonborn colours may only be chromatic and metallic.
Boons
Banes
Ability Score Increases:
+1 Charisma, +1 of Choice
Racial Tensions:
None
Lifespan:
500 Years
Alignment:
Any
Size:
.85 – 1.0
Type:
Humanoid
Languages:
Common, Sylvan
Fox Hengeyokai
Hengenyokai are descended from humans and shape-shifting animal spirits originating from the Feywild. They, by and large, are a reclusive and secretive race who preferred to live alone or in very small communities. Understanding that they were unlike humans, hengeyokai usually made no attempt to fit into their society or remain among them for very long. Most avoided contact with other sentient races, with the exception of the spirit folk. Nevertheless, while hengeyokai were wary of strangers, those who showed them true kindness were rewarded with close and long-lasting friendships.
Boons
Banes
Ability Score Increases:
+1 Dexterity, +1 of Choice
Racial Tensions:
None
Lifespan:
75 -120 Years
Suggested Alignment:
Any Chaotic
Size:
.6 – .75
Type:
Humanoid
Languages:
Common, Draconic
Kobold
More annoyance than anything, these small beings would rather concern themselves with their mining efforts. Should they find themselves swayed from their cavernous homes, they can be quite the scout or even act as a distraction. When finding a suitable victim, one by one they will yip and scream in their unintelligible language before falling silent as they move in for the attack, rushing from their ambush spots to hopefully drive their target into a mirage of well-placed traps.
Boons
Banes
Ability Score Increases:
+1 Constitution, +1 of Choice
Racial Tensions:
Most other Humanoids, Outcast Minotaurs
Lifespan:
80 Years
Required Alignment:
Chaotic Evil
Size:
1.2 – 1.4
Type:
Monstrous Humanoid
Languages:
Common, Abyssal
Minotaur
Minotaurs are a strong and combative race of barrel-chested humanoids resembling bull–human hybrids that were rare in Faerun. They were not welcomed in many cities and received an immediate death sentence, or a stoning if caught in them. Worse off, they were hunted by multiple ignorant hunters seeking the thrill of ‘giving them their own medicine’ despite all Minotaurs not being of the same breed. (If this character is played, you WILL be hunted whether you’re ‘good’ or not.)
Boons
Banes
Ability Score Increases:
+1 Dexterity, +1 of Choice
Racial Tensions:
None
Lifespan:
60-100 Years
Alignment:
Any
Size:
.90 – 1.05
Type:
Beastfolk
Languages:
Common, Payit
Tabaxi
Hailing from a strange and distant land, wandering Tabaxi are catlike humanoids driven by curiosity to collect interesting artifacts, gather tales and stories, and lay eyes on all the world’s wonders. Ultimate travelers, the inquisitive tabaxi rarely stay in one place for long. Their innate nature pushes them to leave no secrets uncovered, no treasures or legends lost.
Boons
Banes
Ability Score Increases:
+1 Charisma, +1 of Choice
Racial Tensions:
Humans
Lifespan:
70-100 Years
Suggested Alignment:
Any Evil
Size:
.95 – 1.05
Type:
Humanoid
Languages:
Common, Draconic.
Yuan-Ti
The serpent creatures known as yuan-ti are all that remains of an ancient, decadent human empire. Ages ago their dark gods taught them profane, cannibalistic rituals to mix their flesh with that of snakes, producing a caste-based society of hybrids in which the most snakelike are the leaders and the most human-like are spies and agents in foreign lands.
Boons
Banes
Support Us
Old Guard is a free to play server with no pay to win mechanics. If you like to support our ongoing effort to get better, please consider donate to our cause. Click here to learn more!