I like the idea of playing a Kitsune, but I don't want to play a fox or something furry or trickstery. I've also been intrigued by half-elves as a race between two worlds and societies, and with tons of interesting customization options. So here's this thing, with as much flavor as I felt like mustering for now.
Our DM is amenable to exploring Race Builder or variant ideas of all kinds, so long as I'm not doing anything broken or solely for optimization.
Proving that the point system and RAW traits in Race Builder can be bent for ill intent, I at one point managed to ladle in Greater Defensive Training, free Weapon Finesse and proficiency with all bows and all elven-named weapons.
That seemed out of spirit and WAY TOO MUCH, given where my various source races started and what I'd get to do with shape changing.
Anyway... what do you all think? Is this still too much? I'm pretty sure it's not underpowered... but is there something else flavorful and interesting I'm missing out on?
Also, would it be broken to adapt some of the kitsune feats and to work with this race?
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Ilyanost/Ilyanosti
Every half-elf manifests their fused elven and human heritages in some measure of skill, outlook, appearance and/or innate power. But some are more than a mere blend of those natures — their bodies live in a limbo that allows them to choose, as they need, the visage of one heritage over the other.
Ilyanosti (singular: Ilyanost) or “all born” half-elves can change their shapes to take on the countenance of both their human and elven ancestors, passing as true-blooded specimens to all but the most discerning observers. They are exceedingly rare, at least as far as anyone knows, and emerge only from couplings between elven mothers and human fathers. Their complexions and eye colors vary like those of any half-elf, but almost all Ilyanosti tend to have reddish hair in their natural states.
Some hardly use their powers, either because they’re secure in who they are as seeming half-elves or because they consider their powers a shameful secret to be hidden.
Others enhabit their dual identities fully, reveling in their ability to participate in both cultures without prejudice, switching as conditions dictate or whims demand.
And yet others abandon life in their true bodies altogether, appearing exclusively as one race or the other, either out of aspirational choice, out of fealty to the cultural norms and traditions where they were born, or merely to survive in a place where outsiders or outliers of any kind would not be tolerated.
Ilyanosti, thoughtful and centered, tend to make excellent archers, clerics, druids, monks or rangers. But others learn quickly that their nimble bodies and ability to shift faces lend themselves to life as a rogue.
Type: Humanoid (subtypes: human, elf, shapeshifter)
Size: Medium
Base speed: 30 feet
Ability Score modifiers (standard): +2 DEX, +2 WIS, -2 CON
Ilyanosti are centered and intuitive, inherently fluid, naturally perceptive and masterful at fine motor control. But their fluidity leaves them delicate and less hardy than traditional half-elves.
Languages (standard): Common, Elven.
Ilyanosti with higher intelligences can choose among the following bonus languages: Celestial, Draconic, Dwarven, Gnome, Goblin, Orc and Sylvan.
Racial Traits
Defense Traits
Dual-Minded: +2 [untyped] to Will saving throws
An Ilyanost’s mixed ancestry makes her resistant to mental attacks.
Feat and Skill Traits
Ancestral Arms: Ilyanosti gain Exotic Weapon Proficiency or Martial Weapon Proficiency with one weapon as a bonus feat at first level.
To better blend with their kin, Ilyanosti raised in elven communities often learn their ancestral weapons as well as — or better than — any true-born elf. Ilyanosti raised among humans or other races tend to specialize in any weapon prevalent in their home communities.
Social Grease: +1 racial bonus to Bluff, Disguise and Knowledge (local)
No more naturally likable or affable than any other elf, human or half-elf, Ilyanosti learn the social skills required to blend among those with static forms.
Keen Senses: +2 racial bonus to Perception checks
Magic Traits
Change Shape: An Ilyanost gains the following supernatural ability: Reflecting the limbo of her dual nature, she can assume the appearance of a human or elf of her size. These forms are static and cannot be changed each time she takes either form.
She gains a +10 racial bonus on Disguise checks made to appear as a human or an elf. Changing her shape is a standard action.
This trait otherwise functions as alter self, save for three exceptions: She receives low-light vision when taking her elf shape; there is no limit to this effect’s duration; and neither shape allows her to adjust her ability scores.
Other Traits
All-Blooded: Ilyanosti count as elves, half-elves and humans for race-related effects.
