Shifter

Shifter

Shifters are humanoids who have become touched in some way by lycanthropy.

ability score increase: When determining your character's ability scores, increase one score by 2, and a further score by 1. Alternatively increase three different scores by 1 each.

age: Normally, shifters live to approximately 100 years old.

alignment: Shifters are usually Neutral in some form or fashion.

Size: Medium

speed: 30

Languages: Common

race features:
Creature Type. You are a Humanoid.
Bestial Instincts. Channelling the beast within, you have proficiency in one of the following skills of your choice: Acrobatic, Athletics, Intimidation or Survival.
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 discern colours in that darkness as if it were shades of grey.
Shifting. As a bonus action, you can assume a mort bestial appearance. This transformation lasts for 1 minute, until you die or until you revert to your normal appearance as a bonus action. When you shift, you gain temporary hit points, equal to 2 * your proficiency bonus. You can shift a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses after a long rest. Whenever you shift, you gain an additional benefit based on one of the following options (choose when you select this race):

• Beasthide. You gain 1d6 additional hit points. While shifted, you have an additional +1 to Armour Class.
• Longtooth. When you shift and as a bonus action on your other turns while shifted, you can use your elongated fangs to make an unarmed strike. If you hit with your fangs, you can deal piercing damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage for an unarmed strike.
• Swiftstride. While shifted your walking speed is increased by 10 feet. Additionally, you can move up to 10 feet as a reaction when a creature ends its turn within 5 feet of you. This reactive movement doesn't provoke opportunity attacks.
• Wildhunt. While shifted, you have advantage on Wisdom checks, and no creature within 30 feet of you can make an attack roll advantage against you unless you're incapacitated.

Lycanthrope Ancestor. To choose a lycanthrope ancestor use the table below. It can be done randomly or by choosing the one you want when you pick this race. 

d6	Ancestor	Suggested Shifting Option
1	Werebear	Beasthide
2	Wereboar	Beasthide
3	Wererat	Swiftstride
4	Weretiger	Swiftstride
5	Werewolf (wolflike)	Longtooth
6	Werewolf (doglike)	Wildhunt

Shifters are sometime called Weretouched, as they are descended of people who contracted full or partial lycanthropy. Humanoids with partial bestial aspects, shifters can't fully change shape, but they can temporarily enhance their animalistic features by entering a state they call shifting. Shifters are similar to humans in height & build but are typically more lithe and flexible. Their facial features have a bestial cast, often with large eyes and pointed ears; most shifters also have prominent canine teeth. They grow fur-like hair on nearly every part of their bodies. While a shifter's appearance might remind an onlooker of an animal, they remain clearly identifiable as shifters even when at their most feral. Most shifters resemble a particular kind of lycanthrope. Most live alone at the edge of society, or in small settlement or roving bands away from major societies. Most who know of them are afraid they may be cursed or attacked, despite the opposite in many cases.

Related Organizations

• The Blood Moon