Alluria Publishing released this booklet a while back:
Remarkable Races—Pathway to Adventure: The Anumus
I actually like this book, especially since I've started my current game a few years ago with the anthropomorphic animal template. The book presents 11 anumus subpecies: amphibian, arachnid, bird, canine, equine, feline, ophidian, porcine, reptilian, rodent and ursine. As one might figure out, there are several animal families that have been left out... until I come up with homebrewed ones to compensate.
Here are 9 new subspecies for the Anumus race, and I would like your feedback on these.
PERCIFORME (FISH) TRAITS
+2 Wisdom, -2 Intelligence: Perciforme anumi have a keen instinct, but are known to be somewhat dim-witted.
Hold Breath: An perciforme anumus can hold its breath for a number of rounds equal to four times its Constitution score before it risks drowning, and this duration is not reduced by taking standard actions.
Bestial Reflexes: Perciforme anumi receive a +2 racial bonus on all saving throws against area attacks with the electricity, fire, or light descriptors.
Great Swimmers: Perciforme anumi gain a +4 racial bonus to all Swim skill checks.
BOVINE (CATTLE) TRAITS
+2 Wisdom, -2 Intelligence: Bovine anumi have a keen instinct, but are known to be somewhat simplistic.
Enhanced Speed: Bovine anumi have a base speed of 40 feet. This speed is never modified by armor or encumbrance.
Bestial Fortitude: Bovine anumi receive a +2 racial bonus on all saving throws against disease and poison.
Rushing Charge: When making a charge attack, a bovine anumus may make both a bull rush and a basic melee attack (in that order). Other rules for charging and bull rush apply normally.
PRIMATE (MONKEY) TRAITS
+2 Intelligence, -2 Wisdom: Primate anumi are smart, sometimes better than humans, but their curiosity mostly gets the better of them.
Bestial Reflexes: Primate anumi receive a +2 racial bonus on all saving throws against area attacks with the electricity, fire, or light descriptors.
Great Climbers: Primate anumi gain a +4 racial bonus to all Climb skill checks.
Contortionist: Primate anumi receive a +2 racial bonus on Escape Artist skill checks. In addition, they can move through a tight space without having to make an Escape Artist skill check.
MUSTILID (WEASEL) TRAITS
+2 Charisma, -2 Wisdom: Mustilid anumi have a friendly demeanour, but their curiosity mostly gets the better of them.
Bestial Fortitude: Mustilid anumi receive a +2 racial bonus on all saving throws against disease and poison.
Great Climbers: Mustilid anumi gain a +4 racial bonus to all Climb skill checks.
Improved Grapple: Mustilid anumi receive Improved Grapple as a bonus feat at 1st level, even if they do not meet the prerequisites.
CAMELID (CAMEL) TRAITS
+2 Wisdom, -2 Charisma: Camelid anumi have a keen instinct, but are known to be rude.
Enhanced Speed: Camelid anumi have a base speed of 40 feet. This speed is never modified by armor or encumbrance.
Bestial Fortitude: Camelid anumi receive a +2 racial bonus on all saving throws against disease and poison.
Heat Resistance: Camelid anumi receive a +2 racial bonus on all saving throws against heat and fire effects.
PACHYDERM (ELEPHANT) TRAITS
+2 Wisdom, -2 Intelligence: Pachyderm anumi are known for having a good memory, but not a keen mind.
Bestial Fortitude: Pachyderm anumi receive a +2 racial bonus on all saving throws against disease and poison.
Rushing Charge: When making a charge attack, a pachyderm anumus may make both a bull rush and a basic melee attack (in that order). Other rules for charging and bull rush apply normally.
Pachyderm Resilience: A Pachyderm anumus may reroll a failed Fortitude save. This trait is used as an immediate action after the first save is attempted, but before the results are revealed by the GM. The anumus must take the second result, even if it is worse.
CETACEAN (DOLPHIN) TRAITS
+2 Intelligence, -2 Wisdom: Cetacean anumi are quite smart, but sometimes too trusting.
Bestial Fortitude: Cetacean anumi receive a +2 racial bonus on all saving throws against disease and poison.
Hold Breath: A cetacean anumus can hold its breath for a number of rounds equal to four times its Constitution score before it risks drowning, and this duration is not reduced by taking standard actions.
Great Swimmers: Cetacean anumi gain a +4 racial bonus to all Swim skill checks.
PINNIPED (SEAL) TRAITS
+2 Charisma, -2 Wisdom: Pinniped anumi have a regal bearing, but sometimes too quick to act without a thought.
Hold Breath: An pinniped anumus can hold its breath for a number of rounds equal to four times its Constitution score before it risks drowning, and this duration is not reduced by taking standard actions.
Bestial Reflexes: Pinniped anumi receive a +2 racial bonus on all saving throws against area attacks with the electricity, fire, or light descriptors.
Great Swimmers: Pinniped anumi gain a +4 racial bonus to all Swim skill checks.
CERVID (DEER) TRAITS
+2 Charisma, -2 Intelligence: Cervid anumi have a keen instinct, but are known to be rude.
Enhanced Speed: Cervid anumi have a base speed of 40 feet. This speed is never modified by armor or encumbrance.
Bestial Fortitude: Cervid anumi receive a +2 racial bonus on all saving throws against disease and poison.
Bestial Reflexes: Cervid anumi receive a +2 racial bonus on all saving throws against area attacks with the electricity, fire, or light descriptors.
So, what do you think ?
Any feedback ?
Any feedback ?The deer speed, never being modified by armor or encumbrance AND being boosted, is just ridiculously over powered. You could have one in the heaviest armor, zipping around faster than anyone else? AND saving throws against Fire AoE? Unless I was going to play a wizard, why would I ever want to play something other than this?
Hmmm... you're right. How about this setup instead ?
CERVID (DEER) TRAITS
+2 Charisma, -2 Intelligence: Cervid anumi have a keen instinct, but are known to be rude.
Rushing Charge: When making a charge attack, a cervid anumus may make both a bull rush and a basic melee attack (in that order). Other rules for charging and bull rush apply normally.
Bestial Fortitude: Cervid anumi receive a +2 racial bonus on all saving throws against disease and poison.
Bestial Reflexes: Cervid anumi receive a +2 racial bonus on all saving throws against area attacks with the electricity, fire, or light descriptors.