Shifter Fey (5e Race)

Shifter Fey

Physical traits

By Besrikarie

The shifter fey are similar to the shifters of Eberron in that they embody both humanoid and animalistic features mixed into one form, that is constantly shifting between. However, they are not humans, but fey. Therefore, they have the graceful appearances characteristic of most fey, as well as a magical aura and more angled features. Fey are relatively similar in shape to animals than humans already, so they are usually described to be more obviously inhuman. Most shifter fey are believed to have been elvish offspring with shifters, or lycanthropic accidents with other kinds of fey.

History

Shifter fey are believed to come from the union of shifters and fey. Others believe it is the odd and rare effect a lycanthropy curse has on fey, who are not humanoid. Others think them to be simply fey who achieved a state of shifting capability by having taken on the endeavors of animals and beasts around them, thus refracting those qualities onto themselves. This renders them an abnormal mix of both. However they came about, shifter fey have been a very rare occurrence in the Material Realm and Feywilds for a long time. Their versatility helps them survive in both worlds fairly well. Due to their more animalistic appearance, they are usually marginalized in societies where the were-touched are feared.

Society

Shifter fey live in their small clans and are extremely suspicious of any outside influence. The three main clans are Moon, Sun, and Cosmos. Each clan is ruled by a group of elders who excel in their particular form of shifting. Shifter fey thus only have three general forms which they can embody and shift. These forms generally come about when they reach the age of ten, which then sorts them into one of the three clans. Family is the clan, not blood. Exile is the greatest punishment, beyond even death. Shifter fey are very goal-oriented. To them, honor comes second to survival.
The Moon clan generally have lupine features like dogs and wolves. They favor loyalty to the clan above all else and can shift into a wolf or dog.
The Sun clan take on features of feather rather than fur. To them, the pride of the clan is the greatest force one can ever fight for, they have bird forms.
The Cosmos clan takes on a mishmash of any shifters who do not fit into either of the other clan categories. As such, they are arguably the most inclusive of the clans. In truth, factions exist in the Cosmos that prevent that clan from seizing power from anyone else despite the advantage lying in their diverse strengths. They can be lizards, cats, amphibians.

Shifter Fey Traits

Were-touched fey
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2.
Age. They mature quickly like shifters, but have longer lifespans like elves, able to reach 500 years of age.
Alignment. Shifter fey embody the changes of their natures as well as the chaos of fey.
Size. Their height can vary from 6 to 7 feet tall and they generally weigh 120 to 260 pounds. 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 color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Fey Ancestry. You have advantage in saving throws against being charmed, and magic can't put you to sleep.
Shifter. As a bonus action, you can bring out the chaotic bestial parts of yourself. 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 advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks. You also gain 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.
Languages. You can speak, read and write in Common and Elvish.
Subrace. Choose either the Cosmos, Sun, or Moon subrace.

Cosmos Clan

You claim a wide variety of traits that do not fit into the Sun or Moon clans, like having scales, or being more feline.

Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score increases by 1.
Face On. You have learned to deal with a lot of different people in your messy clan. You are proficient in one Charisma skill of your choice.
Variant Travel. While shifted, you can gain 10 feet of movement speed in one of the following of your choice: climbing, swimming, or burrowing. You can choose a different movement speed each time you shift.
Mixed Minds. One thing good about a big jumble of types is that you are exposed to a lot of different intelligence that can enhance your own. While shifted, you have advantage in Intelligence saving throws.

Sun Clan

Sun clan members generally flock together as birds of a feather. They take more beastly aspects from such creatures.

Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 1.
Pride Boost. You get a real kick when you shift. Whenever you shift, you gain temporary hit points equal to 1d6 + your Charisma modifier (min. 1).
Flight. While shifted, you can use a reaction when you are falling to take no fall damage and land on your feet with your feathers. When you reach 5th level, you gain a flying speed of 40 feet while shifted.

Moon Clan

The reclusive, exclusive members of the moon clan are like wolves in packs.

Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 1.
Hunter Speed. Your base walking speed increases by 5 feet.
Shifter Pack. While shifted, you have advantage on attack rolls while an ally is within 5 feet of you. The ally must not be incapacitated or unconscious.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
6′ 0″	+1d12	120 lb.	× (1d12) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

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