Wolfen

Description

When it comes to contemplation and quiet perspective, you need look no further than Wolfen. Strongly bonded to family and driven to the pursuit of improving themselves through various mental pursuits, Wolfen live up to their name in Beast Speech, which is neracathaan, the Beast Speech phrase meaning “we that understand”.

Strong Minds, Lean Builds

Wolfen look human in general shape and build. They stand around five and a half to six feet tall, with male Wolfen being a few inches taller. They are not very muscular, but have a lean build. They have wolf-shaped heads, with low hanging tails that match the fur that lines their bodies. The fur on their bodies tends to be a bit thicker than other Vitaeans due to their acclimation for northern climates. Their fur color is various, but generally turns grey as they get older. Wolfen like quality clothes that are well-maintained and free of blemishes. Even those who live solitary lives keep their clothing in good order and actually view those with soiled clothing with mild disdain, viewing orderly apparel as the first step to perfecting the self.

Quiet and Calculating

Wolfen are contemplative and careful in their speech. They always look before they leap, and it is not unheard of for people to seek out Wolfen for advice, or even to hire them for such a function. Though they rarely accept, Wolfen enjoy any kind of mental challenge, be it magic, politics, inventions, or math equations, and these Wolfen are commonly recruited into the nine clans, with the Union of Gears and the Gullen Senate boasting the most Wolfen. Though quiet in speech, Wolfen are not afraid to speak their mind when it is needed. They simply wait for the right moment, when they know their words and ideas will have the most value. It's not uncommon for people to quiet themselves to allow a Wolfen to speak. This lends them a cunning air, with a calm that exudes a serene outlook. This, in turn, gives them mixed relations with different people. Sages and scholars relish the opportunity to discuss the matter of great import with Wolfen, but those with simpler minds or a more oblivious outlook find them stuffy and arrogant.

The Pursuit of Perfection

Wolfen are driven to improve themselves through intense mental pursuits. They have a grasp of simple magical and mental skills at the very least, and the pursuit of greater skills in these areas inevitably draw Wolfen away from home to seek a life of adventure. Though leaving their family and former life is not something they do lightly, seeking the greatest of the world's magic is enticing for a Wolfen and that exceptional Wolfen who leave home are usually encouraged to leave to pursue the perfection of their art.

Wolfen Traits

Names. Wolfen usually take on simple Common names with bestial phrasings. Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score increases by 2. Age. The vast majority of Wolfen reach adulthood at around age 20. Most commonly, Wolfen live a little over 150 years, with their body fur turning grey within the last fifty years of life. Alignment. Wolfen tie themselves to the bonds of family and tradition, making them most often lawful in alignment. Good Wolfen are more common than evil folks, but most live a monastic life with a select group of kin, usually being neutral. Size. Wolfen are generally about the size of humans, averaging 5'6” to 6', and weighing around 130-190 lbs. Your size is Medium. Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet. Cold Endurance. You are resistant to cold damage. Lupine Magic. You know the ray of frost cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast comprehend languages once with this trait. When you reach 5th level, you can cast silence once with this trait. You require no material components to cast these spells. You regain the use of the last two spells when you finish a long rest. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for these spells. Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common, and one other language of your choice. Subrace. Wolfen are divided by two species, dire and wild, though these differences are more to distinguish demeanor. Choose one of these subraces.

Dire Wolfen

It is not unheard of to find dire Wolfen aloof. They have a strong bond to family and the pack mentality resonates most strongly with them, but the direst Wolfen prefer to stay away from anyone not family, or at least a close friend, seeking a life in quiet solitude. The few times dire Wolfen venture into the outside world are to protect their family from some evil or power that threatens everything they know. Once roused, dire Wolfen are a force to be reckoned with. Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by 1. Pack Mentality. You can take the Help action as a bonus action as long as there is an ally within 5 feet of you.

Wild Wolfen

Wild Wolfen are not exactly as they seem; they were simply labeled as such by ignorant views of wolves as savage and wild. That might be true of some Wolfen, but no more than the typical human. In reality, wild Wolfen are sociable and willing to open themselves to those who earn their trust, though that trust is not given lightly. Their way of life is sometimes rustic and crude, even in cities, but they prefer the simplicity of life over more base pursuits such as money and power. Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 1. Lone Wolf. You can take the Dodge action as a bonus action as long as there are no allies within 5 feet of you.