The Rarest Hengeyokai (More 5e Subraces)

This is a continuation of the previous post regarding Hengeyokai.

Octopus and Carp by D. Katagiri

Exceptionally Rare Hengeyokai

Even among hengeyokai, rumours spread of strange and unusual breeds. Some from far off lands, others just from new bloodlines. From out of the north, the crows came to harass the peasants of Eisha. From out of the seas, the octopus came to haunt the fisherman's wife in her dreams. From across the sea, the fierce warrior of black and white came to lay waste to the dojos and practitioners of the open-handed arts. 

Badger Hengeyokai Traits

Ability Score Increase: Your Strength score increases by 2 and Wisdom score increases by 1.

Animal Trait: As badger.

Hybrid Trait: Underground sense, you can determine your approximate depth and direction underground.

Bat Hengeyokai Traits

Ability Score Increase: Your Intelligence score increases by 2 and Dexterity score increases by 1.

Animal Trait: As bat.

Hybrid Trait: Echolocation, as bat. Blindsight up to 60ft.

Bear/Panda Hengeyokai Traits

Ability Score Increase: Your Strength score increases by 2 and Constitution score increases by 1.

Animal Trait: As black bear.

Hybrid Trait: Keen Smell. You have advantage on perception checks that rely on smell.

Boar Hengeyokai Traits

Ability Score Increase: Your Constitution score increases by 2 and Strength score increases by 1.

Animal Trait: As boar.

Hybrid Trait: Relentless Endurance. As Half-orc.

Falcon/Hawk Hengeyokai Traits

Ability Score Increase: Your Dexterity score increases by 2 and Wisdom score increases by 1.

Animal Trait: As hawk.

Hybrid Trait: Keen sight. You have advantage on perception checks that rely on sight.

Snake Hengeyokai Traits

Ability Score Increase: Your Intelligence score increases by 2 and Dexterity score increases by 1.

Animal Trait: As poisonous snake or constrictor snake.

Hybrid Trait: Advantage on rolls to escape a grapple. OR Advantage on rolls to maintain a grapple.

Deer/Elk Hengeyokai Traits

Ability Score Increase: Your Strength score increases by 2 and Charisma score increases by 1.

Animal Trait: As deer/elk.

Hybrid Trait: Long Stride. +10 to speed.

Frog Hengeyokai Traits

Ability Score Increase: Your Dexterity score increases by 2 and Constitution score increases by 1.

Animal Trait: As frog.

Hybrid Trait: Jumping distance increases by 10 feet long and 5 feet high, with or without a running start.

Goat Hengeyokai Traits

Ability Score Increase: Your Wisdom score increases by 2 and Strength score increases by 1.

Animal Trait: As goat.

Hybrid Trait: Sure-footed. You have advantage on saving throws that would knock you prone.

Lizard Hengeyokai Traits

Ability Score Increase: Your Dexterity score increases by 2 and Intelligence score increases by 1.

Animal Trait: As lizard.

Hybrid Trait: You have advantage on checks to climb.

Octopus Hengeyokai Traits

Ability Score Increase: Your Intelligence score increases by 2 and Constitution score increases by 1.

Animal Trait: As octopus.

Hybrid Trait: Underwater breathing.

Owl Hengeyokai Traits

Ability Score Increase: Your Wisdom score increases by 2 and Intelligence score increases by 1.

Animal Trait: As owl.

Hybrid Trait: Keen Hearing. You gain advantage on perception checks that rely on hearing.

Crow Hengeyokai Traits

Ability Score Increase: Your Intelligence score increases by 2 and Constitution score increases by 1.

Animal Trait: As raven.

Hybrid Trait: Mimicry.

Scorpion Hengeyokai Traits

Ability Score Increase: Your Constitution score increases by 2 and Strength score increases by 1.

Animal Trait: As scorpion.

Hybrid Trait: Stinging tail (1d4 piercing damage, poison as scorpion).

Spider Hengeyokai Traits

Ability Score Increase: Your Dexterity score increases by 2 and Intelligence score increases by 1.

Animal Trait: As spider.

Hybrid Trait: Spider climb. You gain advantage on all checks to climb. You can ignore movement restrictions caused by non-magic webs.

Horse Hengeyokai Traits

Ability Score Increase: Your Strength score increases by 2 and Constitution score increases by 1.

Animal Trait: As riding horse.

Hybrid Trait: Long Stride. Speed +10.

Mushi (Giant Beetle) Hengeyokai Traits

Ability Score Increase: Your Constitution score increases by 2 and Charisma score increases by 1.

Animal Trait: As giant fire beetle (with or without Illumination, player choice).

Hybrid Trait: Natural Armour Class of 13 plus Dexterity.

5e Race V: The Hengeyokai

The Hengeyokai

Using only their prodigious testicles, these
Tanuki have disguised themselves as the Seven Gods of Luck.
The one in the middle does a very convincing Fukurokuju.

Hengeyokai are a race of shapeshifters that share the nature of man and animal. Hengeyokai have much in common with humans: language, names, culture. However, they have no clans of their own and they can be just as wild as their animal half. Hengeyokai are usually fiercely protective of their true nature and only reveal themselves to their closest allies.

Though Hengeyokai may pursue any profession, they generally favour the rogue, fighter and sorcerer classes.

Hengeyokai Traits

Ability Score Increase: Your ability scores increase based on your animal type.

Age: As humans.

Alignment: Hengeyokai are rarely lawful and usually follow alignments close to their type.

Size: Medium, but Hengeyokai vary in shape and size greatly.

Hybrid form: 3’6” + 6d8 inches, 80 + 1d6 x height mod pounds.

Animal form: average for animal type.

Human form: as humans (p 33 Basic Rules)

Speed: 30

Shapeshifting: Hengeyokai can assume three forms: human, animal or hybrid form. You can change form a number of times equal to your level plus constitution modifier. Transformation takes one round to complete and the hengeyokai can take no other actions during this time. Armour and equipment do not change form along with you - you must make provisions for that, as needed. When slain, hengeyokai do not change shape.

Various Hengeyokai...
Or just awesome Star Fox Ukiyo-e
by thejedhenry

Animal Form: In animal form, you are virtually undetectable from other normal animals (your animal form is not an illusion and can not be detected by magic that reveals illusions).

The animal form grants Darkvision to 120’ and the power to speak with animals.

The animal form usually confers special movement abilities which are detailed in the sub-race section (otherwise, use applicable animal statistics in DMG).

The animal form has several drawbacks: you can not cast spells, wear armour, wield weapons or use equipment. Though you understand any language you know, you can only speak the language of animals.
Edit: (Hit point reduction removed.)

Human Form: As the animal is undetectable from other animals, so is the human form from other humans. However, you bear some distinguishing characteristic of your animal form. In human form, you can cast spells, wear armour, wield weapons or use equipment. You can understand the language of animals, but you can not speak it. You do not gain the benefit of the animal form movement abilities as a human. You have full hit points in your human form.

Hybrid Form: In the hybrid form, you look like a bipedal version of your animal form. You have all of the benefits of both animal and human forms (except the special animal form movement abilities). The hybrid form is clearly not human or animal, so the hengeyokai will be identified for what it is (occasionally, in certain cultures, hybrid hengeyokai are mistaken for lycanthropes).

Languages: You can speak, read, and write Common and know the language of animals.

Subrace: Choose an animal form subrace.

Carp Hengeyokai Traits

Ability Score Increase: Your Constitution score increases by 1 and Wisdom scores increase by 2.

Animal Trait: As quipper (no blood frenzy).

Hybrid Trait: Underwater breathing. You gain advantage on athletics checks to swim.

Cat Hengeyokai Traits

Ability Score Increase: Your Intelligence score increases by 1 and Dexterity score increases by 2.

Animal Trait: As cat.

Hybrid Trait: You gain advantage on acrobatics checks and athletics rolls to jump.

Crab Hengeyokai Traits

Ability Score Increase: Your Strength score increases by 2 and Wisdom score increases by 1.

Animal Trait: As crab.

Hybrid Trait: Underwater breathing. You have a natural AC of 13 plus Dexterity modifier. However, you find it difficult to wear other armour over your shell plates.

Crane Hengeyokai Traits

Ability Score Increase: Your Wisdom score increases by 2 and your Charisma score increases by 1.

Animal Trait: As vulture (no pack tactics).

Hybrid Trait: Lucky charm, one ally can reroll a failed attack or saving throw. This ability refreshes after a short/long rest.

Dog Hengeyokai Traits

Ability Score Increase: Your Constitution score increases by 2 and your Charisma  score increases by 1.

Animal Trait: As mastiff.

Hybrid Trait: You gain advantage on perception checks for sniffing and smelling things out.

Drake Hengeyokai Traits

Ability Score Increase: Your Constitution score increases by 1 and Charisma score increases by 2.

Animal Trait: As raven with no mimicry, with swim speed of 30 feet and hold breath up to 30 minutes.

Hybrid Trait: You gain advantage on athletics checks to swim and constitution checks to hold your breath.

Hare Hengeyokai Traits

Ability Score Increase: Your Wisdom score increases by 2 and Dexterity score increases by 1.

Animal Trait: As cat (with Keen Hearing, bite for claws, no climb and +10 to speed).

Hybrid Trait: Advantage on athletics checks to jump, +5 to speed.

Kitsune (Fox) Hengeyokai Traits

Ability Score Increase: Your Intelligence score increases by 2 and Dexterity score increases by 1.

Animal Trait: As cat (with Keen Hearing, bite for claws).

Hybrid Trait: You gain advantage on deception checks to disguise yourself.

Monkey Hengeyokai Traits

Ability Score Increase: Your Dexterity score increases by 2 and your Intelligence score increases by 1.

Animal Trait: As baboon. Unlike other animals, monkeys can still use some smaller/lighter equipment (but not armour or weapons) at the discretion of the DM.

Hybrid Trait: Advantage on athletics checks to climb, and no reduction in movement speed when climbing.

Rat Hengeyokai Traits

Ability Score Increase: Your Constitution score increases by 2 and your Intelligence score increases by 1.

Animal Trait: As rat.

Hybrid Trait: You have advantage on saving throws versus poison.

Sparrow Hengeyokai Traits

Ability Score Increase: Your Charisma score increases by 2 and your Dexterity score increases by 1.

Animal Trait: As owl (no Keen Hearing).

Hybrid Trait: Your singing voice is exceptional. You have advantage on performance checks to sing.

Tanuki (Racoon Dog) Hengeyokai Traits

Ability Score Increase: Your Strength score increases by 2 and your Charisma score increases by 1.

Animal Trait: As badger (no Burrowing movement).

Hybrid Trait: You have advantage on rolls to make others look foolish. Outlandish deceptions and practical jokes are your forte.

The Batman (5e Background)

Epic Fantasy Batman, C. Stevens

Over the winter holidays some friends got together to play 5e. Half of the group were completely new to the edition, and my one friend wanted some input on characters he could play. After hashing out a bunch of concepts I thought he might like, he said point-blank: "I want to play Batman." We basically rolled up a human monk (for mashing faces with fists) and threw this background over it.

The background isn't a complete Batman (that would be unbalanced at first level, no doubt), so the background allows you to take some of the features of other backgrounds that neatly cover some of the elements of the Dark Knight. 

While writing this up, I realized there are really dozens of superheroes working from pretty much the same premise: rich, orphaned, playboy with incredible powers or skill-set. So, while the packaging calls it "The Batman", there is really no reason not to consider it a tragic origin superhero/vigilante background.

The Batman (Vigilante/Heroic Orphan)

You are a masked crusader of the night. The shadow that murderers, thieves and gangsters fear. You have tragedy in your past that motivate you in your aggressions. You have allies or assets that help you in your efforts to extinguish the blight that threatens your world. Your training in combat and arcane arts make you a dangerous adversary.

Skill Proficiencies (choose 2): Intimidation, Investigation, Stealth

Tool Proficiencies: Thieves' tools

Languages: 1 of your choice

Equipment: Cape and cowl, grappling hook, utility belt, pouch of ball bearings, pouch of caltrops

How it all began (Roll 2d6):

1) My parent(s) (or guardians)
2) My brother(s)/sister(s)
3) My wife and children
4) My mentor
5) My entire family
6) My partner

...were/was brutally murdered by...
1) a psychotic jester and his harlequin associate.
2) the local kingpin.
3) assassins hired by prominent business rivals.
4) the local constabulary.
5) corrupt city officials.
6) a hateful phantasmal force.

Feature (Roll 1d8):

1) Trust fund vigilante. At each level you are granted a large stipend of gold from a family holding equal to your level x 200 gold pieces.

2) The city is my domain. (As urchin feature).

3) Corporate empire. (As guild merchant feature).

4) Trusted valet/Family butler. 3 retainers/caretakers/wards that know your secret (as noble alternate feature).

5) Sanctuary. You have a safe place (or a few safe places) to hide from enemies and bandage up those scrapes and cuts.

6) Ancestral weapon. You have inherited a weapon of value. It has a storied history, but no mystical properties.
7) Secret Identity. You have several well-established alter egos and a knack for keeping people off the scent of your true persona. (Add forged documents and a pair of spectacles to your inventory).
8) Network of Street-ears. You've got your finger on the pulse of things that happen in your city through the people you can shake down or pay off for information. You can always find someone willing to part with valued information.

Personality Trait

1) I do everything with flair. It's poetic and beautiful when I do anything.

2) My will is unshakeable. My spirit is unbreakable. My bones... less so.

3) I cover my emotional scars in a bon vivant lifestyle. My dedication to debauchery is legendary.

4) I am ferociously protective of the few loved ones that remain in my life.

5) Mystique is my middle name.

6) The common folk love me for my deeds of derring-do.

7) A brawl with 5 thugs isn't frightening: that's just an evening on the town.

8) I let my actions speak for me. A thug understands what broken bones and bruises mean.

Ideal

1) I vanquish foes by any means necessary - consequences be damned. (Chaotic)

2) I must be more than a man. I must be an ideal. While I may not operate within the law, I must uphold it. (Lawful)

3) None should suffer at the hands of these villains, but I won't take a life unnecessarily. (Good)

4) No methods are out of bounds in achieving my vengeance. The families and friends of my enemies will suffer before their miserable lives are snuffed out. (Evil)

5) There are lines that I won't cross, but I'm no angel. (Neutral)

6) No women. No children. (Any)

Paladin Superman, Cap Kaboom

Bond

1) My ward is my only concern. Their safety is my top priority… after my vengeance, of course.

2) I carry the secrets that can redeem my family name. OR I hide the secrets that would condemn my family name.

3) The city-guardsman that took me in is everything to me: surrogate father, mentor, moral compass.

4) My family legacy is the only thing I have left. I am the last of my line.

5) My caregiver(s) are all the family I have left. I must keep my vigilantism secret to protect them.

6) I have committed to protecting the orphanage that took me in.

Flaw

1) I am stoic and emotionally stunted. I find it difficult to maintain relationships.

2) I am prone to emotional rages triggered by simple reminders: a rose, a toy soldier, a broken mirror.

3) I secretly love the fame/infamy of vigilantism. I am jealous of anyone that steals my spotlight.

4) I hold myself to an extraordinarily high standards, even perfectionists balk at my fierce commitment to my arts.

5) I am obsessed with my ultimate goals and nothing gets in my way.

6) My pride will lead to my destruction.

Inspiration behind medieval superheroes seems to have exploded in the cosplay and deviant art scene. There is literally so much great character fodder out there!