[Eberron, 4e Core] Skinwalking the Shifters

[GM Elton]

I should have done this before! The Skinwalker race one to one, except for flavor changes, is a lot like the Shifter race in eberron when it comes to concepts. I used Blood of the Moon before to create the Worgen race out of World of Warcraft. Then the mechanics weren't usually used and a lot of fudging was done to fit the Worgen with the Skinwalkers (the skinwalkers had a cosmetic change, I really should have used the Skinwalkers as a base, and added the better shapechange trait for starters.)

Here is the Skinwalker race from Blood of the Moon:

SKINWALKER RACIAL TRAITS:

(10 RP)
All skinwalkers are humanoids with the skinwalker and shapechanger subtypes. They have the same random starting age, aging effects, and random height and weight as a human. Skinwalkers have the following racial traits.

+2 Wisdom, -2 Intelligence, +2 to one physical ability score while shapechanged (1 R.P): Skinwalkers are well attuned to the natural order of things and value passion above reason. While in their bestial form, they gain a +2 racial bonus to either Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution (see Change Shape).

Medium: Skinwalkers are Medium creatures and have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.

[*}Normal Speed: Skinwalkers have a base speed of 30 feet.

Low-Light Vision (Ex): In dim light, skinwalkers can see twice as far as humans.

Animal-Minded (2 RP): Skinwalkers have a +2 racial bonus on Handle Animal and wild empathy checks.

Change Shape [Su, 5 RP): A skinwalker can change shape into a bestial form as a standard action. In bestial form, a skinwalker gains a +2 racial bonus to either Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution. While in this form, a skinwalker also takes on an animalistic feature that provides a special effect. Each time a skinwalker assumes bestial form, she can choose to gain one of the following features:

• 2 claw attacks that each deal 1d4 points of damage

• Darkvision to a range of6o feet

• +1 racial bonus to natural armor

The racial ability score bonus and additional feature last as long as the skinwalker remains in that form, and a skinwalker can remain in bestial form for as long as she wants. While in bestial form, a skinwalker takes a -4 penalty on Charisma and Charisma-based checks when interacting with humanoids that lack the shapechanger subtype.

A skinwalker can return to her humanoid form as a swift action. To change forms and gain a different benefit, a skinwalker must first return to her humanoid form then use her shapechange ability again. A skinwalker can shapechange into bestial form a number of times per day equal to 3 + 1/2 her character level. Different skinwalker heritages (see Skinwalker Heritages on page 5) allow skinwalker characters to select from different sets of bestial features.

Spell-Like Ability: Skinwalkers with a Wisdom score of 11 or higher can use speak with animals once per day as a spell-like ability. The caster level for this ability is equal to the skinwalker's character level.

As you know, the Shifters in (D&D 3.5) Eberron get a number of behavioral traits. Why not use the Skinwalker subraces for them? The traits are: Beasthide, Cliffwalk, Dreamsight, Gorebrute, Longstride, Longtooth, Razorclaw, Swiftwing, Truedive, and Wildhunt.

There are a number of Skinwalker breeds that can translate to these behavioral traits. Werebat, Werebear, Wereboar, Werecroc, Wererat, Wereshark, and Werewolf. Dreamsight becomes a true trait, however.

Conversions:

Wildhunt and Witchwolves:

Wildhunt shifters become the Witchwolves

Reason -- Wildhunt shifters gain the scent ability. and the ability to detect approaching enemies. This is often associated with the Wolf.

Witchwolf Traits:
A Wildhunt shifter gets these new abilities:

Ancestry werewolf

Ability Modifiers +2 Con, -2 I nt (+2 Wis while shapechanged)
Alternate Skill Modifiers Perception, wild empathy
Alternate Spell-Like Ability magic fang 1/day

Bestial Features:

Bite attack that deals 1d6 points of damage

2 claw attacks that each deal 1d4 points of damage

Darkvision 60 feet

+2 racial bonus on all saving throws

Beasthide and Coldborn:

The Beasthide shifter becomes the Coldborn Skinwalker

Reason: The Beasthide shifters gain extra armor. Plus, the Coldborn are probably the hairiest in art.

Coldborn Traits:
A beasthide shifter gets these new abilities as Coldborn:

Ancestry werebear
Typical Alignment LG
Ability Modifiers +2 Con, -2 Cha (+2 Wis while shapechanged)
Alternate Skill Modifiers Climb, wild empathy
Alternate Spell-Like Ability calm animals 1/day

Bestial Features

Bite attack that deals 1d6 points of damage

2 claw attacks that each deal 1d4 points of damage

Climbspeed of 20 feet

Scent

More later, I want to get your thoughts on these two first.