Beastkin

Primal Fury

Written by Endrise

The only reason I don't take a shower as much as you guys is because werewolf blood sure likes to make you smell like wet dog.

— Beastkin Explorer

Beastkin are those whose blood holds the power of an animal, whether it be as a blessing or a curse. Often children of Therianthropes or those born with an animal’s spirit, they wield the power to harness such bestial strength. Though for some, that may as well be a curse.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Most Beastkin appear no different from their base ancestry, to the point some can come off as not even being one. The only things that betray their disguise are traits related to their heritage, such as pronounced canines or markings resembling gills, amongst other aspects.

Each Beastkin also possesses a hybrid form which emphasises their bestial side even more. Such a shape can range from a more animalistic look to full on anthropomorphic appearances, with a variety of trait: body hair, tougher skin, plumage and eye shape being a few.

Biological Traits

Heightened Senses

Their deep connection with animals makes their senses heightened compared to their base species, often in more than one way. While things like hearing and smell are stronger with Beastkin, certain subgroups of them also show more unique ways to sense their environment.

Vibrations in the air or ground are not uncommon for a Beastkin to notice, similar to the likes of bats or moles. Certain groups can even sense magnetic fields similar to birds, fish and arthropods, giving them a greater sense of orientation than others.

Some can even see colours invisible to the average person, or suffer from some sort of colour blindness. Though both end up confused as being the same by non-Beastkin.

Stop lying, there is no such thing as a green tiger.

— Wildlife Biologist

Shapechange

All Beastkin can tap deeper into their bestial side, allowing them to transform into a hybrid shape. Unlike with Therianthropes, changing between them is often done willingly.

The form provides little benefit beyond a physical change, at best offering them a beak or pronounced canines. Any other feats remain relatively the same between both forms.

Certain conditions can force Beastkin to transform against their will, like intense emotions or outside forces. Rapid changes may also exhaust them faster, leaving them tired doing so.

Whether it be their humanoid or hybrid form is their natural look depends on what they feel more comfortable being in. Some favour the appearance of an animal, finding comfort in their roots as a were-creature. Others wish to remain unseen, hiding behind their ancestry to blend in with society. Neither is wrong to do so, making both forms valid representations of Beastkin.

Genetics & Reproduction

Those afflicted with long-term Therianthropy pass down this curse on a genetic level. Whether it be direct offspring or down the bloodline, a Beastkin can emerge up to three generations later. Any of their children have a higher chance of being born as one as well.

Certain theories also speak of Beastkin happening without were-blood through an animal soul fusing with a humanoid one during a pregnancy. Ritualistic births or supernatural events are the common cause according to the claims, but proof is difficult to come by.

All humanoid species can bear Beastkin children.

Beastkin Gladiator by Endrise

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Beastkin Players

Beastkin players often have similar reasons for adventuring like their base ancestry would, but carry an instinct-driven side of them they might either reject or accept.

You might be more driven to bestial impulses, or seek to show you are above your lineage as a were-creature. Possibly exploring the world to escape your problems at home or prove your worth as a half-beast, half-man.

1^e Pathfinder rules
2^e Pathfinder rules

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Origin/Ancestry

Therianthropy

Beastkin Heritages

With the variety of Therianthropy species, Beastkin share a similar family of creatures they can turn into. Certain Beastkin can be only found in specific regions, often sharing their likeness with local fauna. Others may be common anywhere, regardless of the environment.

Each animal offers its own share of traits and quirks, both in their hybrid form and regular appearance.

Arthropod

Arthropod Beastkin encompass everything from insects, arachnids and even crustaceans. While their appearance might be frightening, with mandibles and compound eyes in hybrid form, they often lack the needed venom to be as dangerous as the real deal.

Their humanoid form betrays their nature through birthmarks found around the eyebrows as small dots resembling eyes. Their body hair also feels stiffer, hooking easily into skin when brushed over.

Aquatic

Aquatic Beastkin encompass many fish and other sea creatures found within lakes, rivers and oceans. Most are quite rare, with most living in island regions or near coasts. Though it is not uncommon to find one further inland than the others.

Common traits found in their humanoid form are gill-like marks around their neck mistaken for scars. Their skin also tends to be smoother than usual, if not feels slimy after extensive sweating.

Avian

Avian Beastkin appear in higher regions of the world, comprised out of a multitude of flying bird species. Forms resembling birds of prey are the most common, leading to theories asking why Therianthropes and Beastkin are so commonly carnivorous species when transformed.

One can spot an Avian Beastkin through their enlarged irises and pupils, if not their tendency to move their head rather than their eyes to look. Others have soft body hair that feel like down feathers found on birds.

Mammal

Mammalian Beastkin are the most common and well known of them all. They make up more than half of their kind, being the prime example when one thinks of the subgroup. Though even those get associated with predators like wolves, despite the vast diversity of their kind.

As common as they are, they also are the best hidden compared to other subgroups. Most mammalian Beastkin only have excess body hair and pronounced canines when humanoid, making them blend in easily.

Reptillian

Reptilian Beastkin are frequent visitors of warmer climates, whether they be deserts, jungles or even swamps alike. Most end up growing in very seclusive communities, making most unacquainted with the wider world. Though they are also as common to venture further to explore it as well.

The most common shared trait of these Beastkin are their slit eyes, alongside a lower body temperature than others of their kind. A select few even develop a minor split at the tip of their tongue, similar to that of snakes.

Beastkin Culture

Cultural Significance

While the concept of Beastkin are well known, their details are not. Their long-lasting association with Therianthropy and were-creatures give most a bad reputation, seen as instinct-driven beasts that suffer the same curse as their parents. It does not help that their hybrid forms are almost identical, making it a gamble whether they are a sapient beastman or a savage monster hungry for flesh.

Such uncertainty leads to suspicion and cautiousness around them, although many open up fast once they get to know them better. If anything, most even see them as the best of both worlds, having the benefits of Therianthropes without the mindless appetite.

However, this also attracts those that seek them out for less than ideal purposes. Beastkin are prone to end up in personal armies or bred for combat, out of a belief that their nature makes them stronger than the average person. As such, many grow up as slaves, although efforts to kill that rumour reduced those born in captivity. Nowadays, most join mercenaries or the military willingly.

More religious practices also see Beastkin as a connection between nature and man made manifest. Were-creatures that can control their bestial side often end up in sects to help make a Beastkin child, to further unite both sides. One could consider them sacred in certain religions.

Myths & Legends

Common Rumours

• Beastkin are feral: Despite some animalistic senses, many Beastkin can manage their nature and live amongst others.
• All Beastkin love animals: Beastkin do find comfort amongst animals, but not all have the same appreciation for them. Some are downright hostile to nature out of hate for their own being.
• Beastkin are animal souls trapped in humanoid bodies: The exact science how a Beastkin's soul operate is complicated, where the animal and humanoid begin and end being unclear.

The Therianthrope Beastkin

Therianthropy can happen on rare occasions to those with Beastkin blood. This unique double dosage through both genes and curse causes their shape-changing to go wild, as both were- and hybrid form activate at once. Combined with even more heightened senses, and they end up overstimulated by every sensation around them.

The mismatched form lends itself to physical mistakes, from an overabundance of teeth to weird body proportions. Such monstrous appearances make Therianthrope Beastkin feared, both by themselves and others, as their mind struggles with such intense changes.

Interspecies Relations

Beastkin and Beastfolk often get mistaken for being the same thing, either due to their names or even shared traits. This similarity has both groups live together in communities, with Beastkin finding comfort amongst the many animal species.

A lot of Beastkin also form close relations with Fae-related communities, as they share often similar locations. Stories even speak that they attract the attention of the otherworldly beings, either intentional or not. This either makes them ambassadors between the two worlds, or dangers for townsfolk fearing what Faelands creature may appear before them.