Race: Nahual
The first Nahual were humans, tempted by a trickster god to violate the laws of their people, and punished harshly for this transgression. They had no control over their transformation, a cruelty thrust upon them for this god's entertainment. When overtaken by this urge, they would lose all control and behave as a beast, greedy and violent. Nahual were usually feared, shunned, and expelled from their communities.
Some of these individuals managed to find each other to form small, usually hidden, communities. In this way they could take care of each other, share experiences, and through time gain some control over their transformation. They also learned that their curse would be passed on to their offspring, forever marking their line as outsiders. Though it has been centuries since a human was cursed, and current Nahual are all far descendents of those who first changed, they are still feared, but timorously accepted in mixed communities.
Mark of Shame
While contemporary Nahual can control their transformation and gain benefits through purposeful use, most still struggle bearing the mark of shameful actions that were not their own. Though Nahual spend most of their time in a form that is almost human, they bear clear marks of their forebear's sins - elongated teeth, cat's eyes, or patches of thick fur.
Nahual lifetimes are comparable to humans, and due to this ancestral mark, many spend that time attempting to quietly blend in, or forsaking that idea for their own small communities. Some few however, are driven to prove emphatically that these marks do not define them.
Traits
- Ability Scores: +2 and +1 OR three different +1
- Size: Medium
- Speed: 30 ft
Creature type
You are humanoid.
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
Bestial Legacy
You gain one proficiency from among Intimidation, Nature, or the following based on your sub-type:
| Shash | Insight, Medicine | |
| Ocelotl | Acrobatics, Stealth | |
| Kweeuu | Athletics, Investigation | |
| Cua'utli | Perception, Survival | |
| Mazatl | Survival, Stealth |
Transformation
As a bonus action, you can take on your ancestral bestial form for 1 minute, until you die, or until you revert to normal form as a bonus action. You can transform a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language that you and your DM agree is appropriate for your character.
Shash Nahual
The one who walks on the Mountain
Your ancestors were cursed to take the form of the bear.
You have, in all forms, advantage on non-Dexterity saves against Necromantic spells.
Bestial Form - Ursine Constitution
When entering your ursine form, roll a number of d4 equal to your proficiency modifier - you gain this value in Temporary Hit Points. In addition, you have resistance to all non-magical physical damage types.
Ocelotl Nahual
Guardian Spirit of the Night
Your ancestors were cursed to take the form of the jaguar.
You have, in all forms, advantage on non-Dexterity saves against Enchantment spells.
Bestial Form - Feline Prowess
While in your feline form, your reflexes and agility allow you to move with a burst of speed. When you move on your turn in combat, you can double your speed until the end of that turn. Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you move 0 feet on one of your turns.
Conversely, at the start of your turn, you can leap up to half of your movement speed towards a creature, using the full movement for your turn. If you then take the Attack action against that creature and hit with your first attack, that creature must make a strength saving throw or fall prone. If the creature is one size larger than you, they have advantage, if they are larger than that, they automatically pass this save.
Pounce Save DC = 8 + prof. bonus + Strength modifier
Kweeuu Nahual
The Great Hunter
Your ancestors were cursed to take the form of the wolf.
You have, in all forms, advantage on non-Dexterity saves against the effects of Abjuration spells.
Bestial Form - Lupine Bite
While in your lupine form, you can use your elongated fangs to make an unarmed strike as a bonus action. If you hit with your fangs, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier.
If you hit a creature with your bite attack, it can be forced to make a Strength saving throw or become grappled by you. If the creature is one size larger than you, they have advantage, if they are larger than that, they automatically pass this save. If the creature is one size smaller than you, they have disadvantage, smaller than that, they automatically fail this save.
Bite Save DC = 8 + prof. bonus + Strength modifier
Cua'utli Nahual
Chosen of the Sun
Your ancestors were cursed to take the form of the eagle.
You have, in all forms, advantage on non-Dexterity saves against Illusion spells.
Bestial Form - Raptor's Vision
While in your aquiline form, you do not have disadvantage on ranged weapon attacks beyond normal range.
Additionally, you have advantage on perception checks that depend on sight, and are able to see invisible creatures and objects as if they were visible.
Mazatl Nahual
Spirit of the Land
Your ancestors were cursed to take the form of the deer.
You have, in all forms, advantage on non-Dexterity
saves against Conjuration spells.
Bestial Form - Cervine Awareness
When you shift into cervine form, you can add your proficiency bonus to your initiative value if already rolled, or when rolling. If adjusting your initiative during a combat round, the current round finishes as set, and your new initiative takes effect at the start of the next round.
While in your cervine form, you cannot be surprised, and no creature within 30 feet of you can make an attack roll with advantage against you, unless you are incapacitated.
images: Kouta Nagamori