Shifters
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Shifters are fierce hunters strongly influenced by their animal nature. Though they can't fully change shape as their lycanthrope ancestors can, shifters do become more bestial during the heat of battle, calling on the primal power of the beast within. Descended from humans and lycanthropes, shifters resemble humans with animalistic features. Some are ruthless brigands and wild brawlers, while others are heroes.

Description and Homelands

Tribes and small communities of shifters dot Faerûn, though there are a few large groups of note. In the Werewoods outside Baldur's Gate and the Moonwood near Silverymoon exist large bands of lycanthropes that have evil designs on the local inhabitants. Despite tribes like these, though, many shifters refuse the dark path of their heritage. For example, the Great Dale and the Forest of Lethyr are home to several semi-nomadic bands of shifters who simply want to be left to themselves. Dambrath's shifters, while suspicious of strangers, reserve hatred only for the drow.

Many shifters fear that unleashing the beast within can wake the feral legacy sleeping in their blood. The fear of hurting an innocent while unable to control one's body drives many shifters to be standoffish. Shifters who overcome this fear become steadfast allies who would face death in defense of a friend.

In broad strokes, shifters resemble humans with animalistic features. Their bodies are lithe and strong, and they often move in a crouched posture, springing and leaping along the ground. Their faces have a bestial cast, with wide, flat noses, large eyes and heavy eyebrows, pointed ears, and long sideburns. The hair of their heads is thick and worn long. Shifter skin and hair are usually some shade of brown.

Longtooth shifters claim werewolves as ancestors and have a vaguely canine cast to their features that becomes much more pronounced when they use their longtooth shifting power. Razorclaw shifters are descended from weretigers and are more catlike, particularly when using razorclaw shifting.

Shifters live about as long as humans.

Playing a Shifter in Toril

Shifters are strongly influenced by their animal natures. They think and act like predators, conceiving of most activities in terms of hunting and prey. Longtooth shifters are drawn to a pack of companions, whether that’s a family group or an adventuring party. They work well as part of a team in combat, coordinating their attacks with their allies and coming to the aid of beleaguered friends. They’re drawn to the leader and defender roles, and they make excellent clerics, fighters, paladins, and wardens.
Razorclaw shifters are more independent, self-reliant, and adaptable. They’re no less devoted to their adventuring companions, but they trust their allies to take care of themselves, and they strive to carry their own weight in the group. They’re more inclined to be strikers or controllers, and they favor classes such as avenger, druid, ranger, and rogue.

Historically, most shifters dwelled in nomadic bands in plains and forests far removed from cities and towns. Since the fall of Nerath, however, the increasing dangers of the wilds have driven many shifters into closer proximity to human and elf communities. Some shifters have adapted smoothly to this change, carving niches for themselves as trappers, hunters, fishers, trackers, guides, or military scouts. Others have a much harder time fitting in. Shifters who feel alienated from the plains and forests they love sometimes take up the adventuring life as a way of escaping the confines of city walls and returning to nature. Some shifters, though, turn to a life of crime, preying on the residents of their new homes like the hunters they are.

Razorclaw Shifter Characteristics: Active, alert, fierce, free-spirited, intuitive, perceptive, predatory, self-reliant, unrestrained, wild
Male Names: Ash, Brook, Claw, Cliff, Flint, Frost, River, Rock, Storm, Thorn, Tor.
Female Names: Aurora, Autumn, Dawn, Hazel, Iris, Lily, Rain, Rose, Summer.

Shifter Racial Traits

Longtooth Shifter

Average Height: 5' 7"–6' 0"
Average Weight: 130–180 lb.

Ability Scores: +2 Strength, +2 Wisdom
Size: Medium
Speed: 6 squares
Vision: Low-light

Languages: Common
Skill Bonuses: +2 Athletics, +2 Endurance
Longtooth Shifting: You can use longtooth shifting as an encounter power.

Longtooth Shifting Shifter Racial Power
You unleash the primal beast within and take on a more savage countenance.
Encounter ✦ Healing
Minor Action Personal
Special: You must be bloodied to use this power.
Effect: Until the end of the encounter or until rendered unconscious, you gain a +2 bonus to damage rolls. In addition, for as long as you are bloodied, you gain regeneration 2.
Increase to regeneration 4 at 11th level, and to regeneration 6 at 21st level.

Razorclaw Shifter

Average Height: 5' 7"– 6' 0"
Average Weight: 130–180 lb.

Ability Scores: +2 Dexterity, +2 Wisdom
Size: Medium
Speed: 6 squares
Vision: Low-light

Languages: Common
Skill Bonuses: +2 Acrobatics, +2 Stealth.
Razorclaw Shifting: You can use razorclaw shifting as an encounter power.

Razorclaw Shifting Shifter Racial Power
You unleash the primal beast within and take on a more savage countenance.
Encounter
Minor Action Personal
Special: You must be bloodied to use this power.
Effect: Until the end of the encounter or until rendered unconscious, your speed increases by 2 and you gain a +1 bonus to AC and Reflex defense.

Play a Shifter if you want…

  • to tap into bestial strength or speed in battle.
  • to be a character in tune with your primal savage nature.
  • to be a member of a race that favors the druid, fighter, ranger, and warden classes.

Character Races
Player's Handbook DragonbornDwarvesEladrinElvesHalf-ElvesHalflingsHumansTieflings
Player's Handbook 2 DevasGnomesGoliathsHalf-OrcsShifters
Player's Handbook 3 GithzeraiMinotaurShardmindWilden
Forgotten Realms Player's Guide DrowGenasi
Character Races

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