As the DM in this instance, my reasoning was that a human who had undergone such a cataclysmic morphing into the creatures suggested by the description and picture would also have different internal anatomy and weaknesses (not to mention which head does the thinking, whether or not the tentacles work like functional appendages, etc.). Thus, a stab to the heart or kidney of a savage pirate wouldn't be as predictable as to a "normal" human. Based on their death throes melting into goo and immunities, damage resistance, etc., it seemed they behaved less like humans and more like something else...like an aberration? Now that they've defeated all the savages of Kraken's Cove, I have no problem with changing this ruling, though...
I'm sure the heroes will fight more savage pirates in the future, but all will be former dwarves, elves, orcs, etc. just to keep Kwint happy. ;-)
So, if a druid shapechanges into an animal (or a wizard polymorphs into a bear) and is attacked by a ranger with favored enemy (animal), does the ranger get the bonus? What about a lycanthrope in animal form?
