Playable Race: Canids
alpha-chiefs thought to be descended from Jomuer Many-Mane himself. But his more vocal attempts to preserve old tradition in the Commonwealth often fell on deaf ears, or even roused anger. One day, he dared to publicly celebrate Fang-Song, even against the wishes of his family. His family’s caution was well-founded in this case, and he and Almer both were taken, and exiled. In exile, tales of their deeds preceded them, and The Fate soon approached them, and took them in.
—Archjustice Androbeles IX on Dalbert, chief of the Oldheart pack
Just as a humanoid feline race emerged in the tabaxi, so too did a humanoid canine race arise: the canids. An easygoing, affable people, canids have earned a reputation for being able to get along with anyone and willing to try their hand at anything. They are steadfast, earnest, and fiercely loyal to their friends and family. Possessed of seemingly boundless energy, they tend to throw themselves headlong into whatever pursuit takes their fancy.
Wandering Tribes
Although many have taken up residence in the villages, towns, and cities of the land, canids are at heart a nomadic people. Caravans wander the plains and forests, hunting and foraging whatever they can, and trading for whatever they can't.
Pack Dynamics
Canids are deeply social beings, and think of their entire pack as family, whether that pack is a nomad tribe or a community in a town. The saying "it takes a village to raise a child" is quite literally true in canid packs, as the entire community takes part in bringing up their pups. Young canids are raised primarily by their own parents, but are welcome in anyone's home—and similarly, may be scolded by any of the pack if need be.
Canids dislike being apart from their pack for long periods of time, and very, very few willingly choose to live on their own and separate themselves from pack life entirely.
Canid Names
Rather than having a given name and a family name, as most races do, canids have a given name and a pack name. All members of a tribe will use the name of that pack in place of a surname.
Male Names: Almer, Barker, Carver, Dalbert, Dino, Jomuer, Nico, Quilmer, Rukey, Teller, Tymuer, Wilbur
Female Names: Ada, Ceri, Jaina, Laika, Mila, Miri, Nikki, Rana, Ricci, Sora, Tara, Zeezee
Pack Names: Ashpaws, Greentail, Longclaw, Many-Mane, Oldheart, Strongjaw, Whitemane
Canid Traits
Your canid has a number of traits in common with all other canids.
Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 2.
Age. Canids have lifespans equivalent to humans.
Alignment. With their strong social bonds and deeply ingrained respect for leadership, most canids tend toward law.
Keen Senses. You have proficiency in the Perception skill. Additionally, you have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks using hearing or smell.
Pack Tactics. You have advantage on an attack roll against a creature if another ally of yours is within 5 feet of the creature and that ally isn’t incapacitated.
Vicious Bite. Your bite is a natural weapon that deals piercing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier.
Languages. Canids have no language of their own, but pick up others’ languages easily. You can speak, read, and write Common and 1 additional language of your choice.
Subrace. Canid subraces are quite closely related, but nonetheless exhibit some distinct traits. Choose either quickpaw or strongback, detailed below.
Quickpaw
The smaller, more agile canid packs are referred to as quickpaws.
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2.
Size. Quickpaw canids are about the size of halflings and dwarves. Your size is Small.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 25 feet.
Fury of the Small. When you deal damage to a creature that is of a size larger than yours, you can deal additional damage equal to your level.
Once you use this feature, you cannot use it again until you finish a short rest.
Quickpaw Nimbleness. You can move through the space of any creature that is of a size larger than yours.
Strongback
The larger, hardier canid packs are called strongbacks.
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 1.
Size. Strongback canids are somewhat smaller on average than humans, and it is rare for one to reach six feet or taller. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Brave. You have advantage on saving throws against being frightened.
Canine Resilience. You have advantage on saving throws against poison, and you have resistance to poison damage.
Art Credit
"Rukey Greentail", Pyre (Supergiant Games)