Lupine

Born under the sign of the dark

Cursed by demons of old, the lupine of Sumeria are terrifying to behold. Originally human, the lupine are also known as worgen, or lycans.

Physical Description

Lupine are normally indistinguishable from humans, as genetically, that is what they are. In their lupine form, they stand up to 7 feet in height, and can easily weigh over 250 pounds. Their face shifts into a wolven form, and they gain long, shaggy fur all over their body. This fur comes in various colours, ranging from black, grey, brown, and even white in some rare cases.
Lupine are physically impressive specimens, as their curse grants them enhanced strength and perception. They walk on their two legs, but are capable of switching to all fours for extra speed if they need to. They are adept hunters, having undergone extreme disciplinary training to maintain control of their curse. This curse affects all lupine differently in a mental capacity, but it grants all lupine enhanced strength, perception, and their lupine form.

History

Sign of the Dark

The Kingdom of Sumeria was once a prominent human kingdom. It was prosperous, with its chief exports being fine weaponry, armor, and masonry. Sumerians were known for being gruff, but friendly and open to trade.
This all changed the day their Archmage Visandros was possessed by a demon.
Visandros, once possessed, called upon more of his demonic brethren, and demons laid waste to Sumeria. The army fought back valiantly, but was ultimately routed. The demons were pushed back once the King of Sumeria, Lumen the 3rd, sacrificed his life in a mighty battle with Visandros. As he was defeated, Visandros cursed the survivors of Sumeria, condemning them to a cursed life.
Any survivor of Sumeria could easily be identified by a mark on their person, which came to be known as the Darksign.

Slavery

The Sumerians, with no King and their kingdom in shambles, were taken in by the neighbouring kingdom of Farrathiel. While this arrangement worked for a time, eventually the Sumerians were seen as "dirty" and "unclean" because of the Darksign. They were forced into slavery, and treated like the dogs they became under duress.
This arrangement of slavery was not universally accepted by the Farrathiens, and some occasionally released the Sumerians from slavery. This Sumerians eventually formed what they called the Army of the Night.

Army of the Night

The Army of the Night is a small, elite unit of Sumerians who utilised the cover of night for their operations. They continued to strike at the Farrathiens, releasing what Sumerians they could. The King of Sumeria, Nocten, eventually called for a ceasefire, and granted all Sumerians amnesty. He also pledged to assist them rebuilding Sumeria, and the Army of the Night agreed to stop their attacks.
The Army of the Night is still a functional unit within the Sumerians to this day, and is still considered the "elite of the elite" in their military.

Devil in head, come and break out
And raise up the sword
Stand up as horde
— Lupine war march

Return to Sumeria

After many, many years, Sumeria was rebuilt to be a functional society. The lupine, as they now called themselves, had a home to call their own. They maintain good relations with Farrathiel, and trade with them frequently.

Matriarchy

As time has progressed, Sumeria has evolved into a matriarchy, mostly due to the Army of the Night being led by a woman. Men are not oppressed, or treated differently, but one will typically find a woman in a position of high power and status over a man.

Lupine Form

When lupine engage in any kind of hostile activity, their curse activates and forcibly shifts them into their lupine form. This shift is near instantaneous, and does not damage any weapons, armor, or clothes they may be wearing.
With training, lupine can forcibly activate this curse themselves. There are also some lupine who completely abandon their human selves and live their lives within their lupine form. This comes down to the individual.

Basic Information

Biological Traits

All lupine have the Darksign somewhere on their body. This is a sign of the curse from Visandros all those years ago. This Darksign is what enables their lupine form. Apart from this sign, lupine are genetically pure humans.

Genetics and Reproduction

Any child born of a lupine with the darksign will also be born with it. Children born with the darksign tend to have easier control of their curse.

Civilization and Culture

Common Taboos

Lupine do not allow other races to refer to them as worgen or lycans. These are terms used by the Farrathiens during the times of slavery.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Human

Lupine

Ability Score Increase +2 Str, +1 Wis

Size Medium

Speed 30ft

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Darkvision. Accustomed to the black nights, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Hunter's Lore. You gain proficiency with one of the following skills of your choice: Animal Handling, Nature, Perception, or Survival.
Lupine Form. As a lupine, you have both a human and a lupine form. You always appear as the same human when you transform. While human, you appear as you did before getting affected by the lupine curse.
Using an action, you can shift between these forms. When you take damage, you immediately revert into your lupine form.
While in your lupine form, you retain the abilities you have from your human form, and you gain the following benefits:

• Speed. You base walking speed increases by 5 feet, and you gain a climbing speed of 20 feet.
• Bite. Your fanged maw is a natural weapon, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. You have proficiency with your bite, and it deals 1d6 piercing damage + your Strength modifier.
• Vicious Bite. You can throw yourself into a vicious frenzy. As a bonus action, you can make a special attack with your bite. If the attack hits, it deals its normal damage, and you gain temporary hit points (minimum of 1) equal to your Constitution modifier. You can't use this feature again until you finish a short or long rest.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and one extra language of your choice. Humans typically learn the languages of other peoples they deal with, including obscure dialects.