Wulver
Wulvers come in every shape and size around
these parts. From enormous brutes that can wrestle a bear to tiny nippers that barely reach my waist. But if you befriend any of them, then you've got yourself a companion for life. They really are good boys.
― Hopkins, Ale Brewmaster
At first glance anyone can mistake these canine humanoids as some offshoot of werewolf, but their friendly demeanor and unflinching loyalty have cemented wulvers to be as stalwart a companion as the dogs they take after. They can be found almost anywhere mankind has shown their presence, adapting their survival instincts in a way to co-exist with an increasingly civilized world.
Endlessly Adaptable
Wulvers have an uncanny ability to adapt to whatever surroundings they live in, whether it be the bustling urban sprawl of a city, the hostile northern tundras, or deep wooded forests. The fur, color, and build of any given wulver will often hint at the niche they were born to fill, making them one of the most diverse races in the known world alongside humans. It is highly unlikely to find two Wulvers who look exactly the same.
They are commonly seen in multiple roles among society that mirror that of a loyal canine. A royal guard who pledges fealty to his king. The watchful shepherd who guides his flock. The caretaker who nurtures and protects their master for life. The wulver sense of loyalty and duty runs deep within their bones.
Between Man and Beast
Wulvers straddle the line between the order of man and the chaos of nature. Their pack mentality has allowed them to thrive in the wild as efficient hunters and trackers; traits they discovered made them favorable allies with non-canine folk. Many wulver packs have established a mutually beneficial existence with humankind, several of whom fully integrate within their cities. Though they reap the benefits of a comfortable lifestyle, most prefer to keep their senses sharp by engaging in all manner of rigorous activity.
Loyalty To The Pack
A wulver's loyalty is unparalleled, often pledging their fealty to their family, friends, and the family of their friends. Gaining favor with a wulver could be as simple as sharing a meal or as bold as saving their life, and that trust when cultivated becomes an everlasting friendship. Wulvers understand on a base level the importance of the pack, and to be welcomed as a fellow pack member is considered a high honor amongst their kind.
Image Credit: Wulver by Artscreen.
Wulver Traits
Your wulver has the following traits:
Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 2.
Age: Wulvers reach maturity at age 10 and rarely live beyond 60.
Alignment: Wulvers tend to lean towards lawful and good alignments, but are often influenced by the people they swear loyalty to.
Size: Wulvers vary wildly in size, ranging anywhere between 4-6 feet depending on your type. Your size is Medium.
Speed: Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Keen Smell: Your sensitive nose gives you advantage whenever you make a Wisdom (Perception) check related to smell.
Colorblind: Your poor color vision means you have disadvantage on any Wisdom (Perception) check that relies on differentiating color.
Dog Bite: Your canine jaws are a natural weapon, which you can use to make an unarmed strike. If you hit with it, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.
Languages: You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language based on the community you grew up around.
Subraces: Wulvers have developed into three variations depending on their proximity towards civilization. Choose between the following subraces:
Pedigree Wulver
Living in highly populated areas has given pedigree wulvers a knack for socialization. They are eager to please those closest to them, which has earned them a reputation for being friendly and lovable. Pedigree wulvers tend to have the widest variety of coat colors and styles and have grown accustomed to a pampered lifestyle.
Ability Score Increase: Your Intelligence score increases by 1.
Best In Show: You have proficiency in Performance.
Charming Presence: You know the friends cantrip. Once you reach 3rd level, you can cast the charm person spell once with this trait as a 1st-level spell, and you regain the ability to cast it this way when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Bandogge Wulver
Bandogge wulvers are protective by nature, acting as guardians to their community and willing to lay their life on the line to help their pack. They are amicable to their friends, but always maintain a strong sense of duty and purpose. Bandogge wulvers tend to have athletic builds that are primed for rigorous activity and extreme situations.
Ability Score Increase: Your Constitution score increases by 1.
Strong Build: You have proficiency in Athletics.
Search and Rescue: When an ally you can see is reduced to 0 hit points or incapacitated, you can use your reaction to move up to your movement speed towards them. You must end this move closer to your ally than you started.
Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.
Wilding Wulver
Wilding wulvers are the ones who've stuck to their wolflike ancestral roots. They hold strong to their hunting and herding instincts to thrive outdoors and are known to be the hardiest of workers. The wilding, compared to most other wulvers, tend to resemble wolves and other wild canines.
Ability Score Increase: Your Strength score increases by 1.
Wild Instinct: You have proficiency in Survival.
Wild Dash: When you use your action to Dash, you can use a bonus action to make one bite attack. If that attack hits, the target must make a Strength saving throw against a DC equal to 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Strength modifier or it will end up prone.
Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.
Image Credit: Pugmire by Onyx Path Publishing