Wendigo, Variant (5e Race)
Wendigo
“ | Of those who resort to cannibalism to survive ... Only a worse fate awaits them. | ” |
—Unknown |
Wendigos are ferocious hunters that used to be coherent. They are created by acts of cannibalism and are cursed to forever crave flesh and bring death. It is not impossible, or so it is rumored, to tame a wendigo by keeping it fed, however. A tamed beast as such will kill anything for the hand which feeds it.
Physical Description
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A Modern Wendigo in search of food |
Wendigos are typically Humanoid in appearance, eight to nine feet tall with long arms, each equipped with long, lethal claws. It has no lips, jagged teeth too big for its mouth (or yellowish canine fangs), and an extended tongue. They look incredibly emaciated. They typically are naked and sport the features of feral animals, like thick hide, mad, glowing eyes, and even horns, depending on the subrace chosen.
History
These beasts are rumored to be created from acts of cannibalism, that one who commits the heinous act loses their mind and turns into a monster. Other rumors float about but remain unverified. This legend is thought to be perpetuated by old powers seeking to reign in evil influences of the inner id, which would drive oneself to destruction against their own. However, it no longer seems to just be superstition as historical evidence concludes there exist creatures that are not quite animal nor human, or anything else to walk along Faerun.
They are creatures who were forgotten and left to die. Unwilling to submit to death, they instead chose to become monsters and lose their minds. In some circles, it is thought they lost their souls, a path worse than death. Having consumed once the flesh of their own in cannibalism, they renounced their former being and became an utterly different and horrid "other." There are scant circles underground, however, who believe the wendigo to be a transcendent being, and that cannibalism had set it free and made it stronger. It is believed these dangerous cults may practice cannibalism and produce more wendigoes.
Society
Being such disruptive and violent creatures, Wendigos have no capacity to form communities of their own. If even one is ever seen, it is fled from or hunted down.
Wendigo Names
If the wendigo has even a speck of humanity left, it can make sounds reminiscent of its name before it became this monstrosity. Otherwise, wendigos remain nameless. Wendigos also have the option of being referred to by titles, which they earned from their pursuers.
Wendigo Traits
Beasts no longer human, after having consumed of forbidden flesh.
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 2.
Age. Those that become Wendigo live for an about 200 years before there madness drives them to consume themselves.
Alignment. The inner beasts within every Wendigos will almost always drive them towards chaotic evil.
Size. Wendigos can be up to 9 feet in height and are fairly light despite their diet. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 35 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.
Drive of Hunger. If you fail to eat one pound of food for the day, you must succeed of a DC 10 Wisdom saving throw. On a successful save, you have managed to keep the madness at bay. However, 6 hours after you have succeeded you must remake the save unless you have satisfied your hunger during that time. The DC increases by 2 on each successful save and resets back to 10 on a failure. On a failed save, you're affected by your Hungering Void condition.
Strict Carnivore. A Wendigo is a carnivore, as in they can only eat meat. They have a preference for it when its raw but cooked is fine. The wendigo can't consume plants and other foods like bread. When it does so to a significant degree they must make a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or come under the effect of the poisoned condition until they consume meat or complete a short or long rest. In addition, you have resistance to poison damage.
Languages. You can speak and understand Common and Abyssal. You speak Common with bad grammar, lengthy pauses, growls and noncoherent sounds, showing your limited vocabulary, for example, "My is ... no, grr ... name." However, it is the language of Abyssal that comes naturally to you.
Subrace. Choose between the Legendary Wendigo and the Modern Wendigo sub-races.
Legendary Wendigo
The legendary wendigo less resembles a human, usually sporting horns and animal fur. They are known to be more animalistic, having bouts of calm and rage. Overall they behave very much like typical beasts and look as such. Due to their animal nature, it is assumed they are more capable of being tamed and able to recognize allies, much like a dog.
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 1.
Nature's Predator. You have access to two natural weapons, claw and bite. The claw is considered to be your unarmed strike and deals 1d4 slashing damage while the bite deals 1d6.
Thick Skin. You have a thick hide that is naturally adapted to the cold granting resistance to cold damage.
Tamed by Time. The Legendary Wendigo is a wiser sort of beast, having adapted to nature in both form and mind rather than be solely focused on satiation of hunger. You retain some more restraint on your lust for carnage due to your adaptation to this monstrous form. You have the mental capacity to remember the distinctive features of recurring creatures.
Modern Wendigo
Modern wendigos resemble humans much more than their legendary counterparts and are much more unpredictable and wily. They are usually hairless. They are not to be mistaken as weak, as they have other abilities in their repertoire to make up for their emaciated look.
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Stalker. You are proficient in the Stealth skill.
Mimicry. You can mimic sounds you have heard, including voices. A creature that hears the sounds you make can tell they are imitations with a successful Wisdom (Insight) check opposed by your Charisma (Deception) check.
Visage of the Starved. The modern wendigo, being hairless, exposes its emaciated, mottled pale skin with veins and can pass for an Undead. A creature that looks at the wendigo can ascertain its true nature with a successful Wisdom (Insight) check opposed by your Charisma (Deception) check.
Hungering Void
The insatiable hunger left unsatisfied for a day will drive you into a raving madness. You brutally attack creatures within 15 feet of you and if there are none you attempt to attack and consume the closest living creature with little to no regard for your safety. This hunger can only be satisfied when you have consumed raw meat equivalent to one Large creature's meal.
Random Height and Weight
Base Height | Height Modifier* | Base Weight | Weight Modifier** |
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8′ 0″ | +1d4 | 180 lb. | × (1d6) lb. |
*Height = base height + height modifier |
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