Lupins (Dog Head)

In the forests of central Occidentia and metropolis of Dominon live a race of men with the heads of dogs, whose throats are incapable of forming the words in most common human languages. Despite failing to meet its formal requirements they have been granted the status of human by all but the most isolated states. Even so they are not generally accepted as fellows by other humans, and form their own ghetto communities within larger human cities or their own forest dwelling rural towns only inhabited by lupins. There difficulties communicating with other human races has resulted in a severe cultural gap that often forces even the most reasonable lupin into rebellion or crime to survive.

Culture

Shared customary codes and values

While lupins understand and hold private ownership, they generally consider most property to belong in communal hands rather than given over to any one individual. This is born out of a cultural custom of sharing and distributing resources immediately after their acquisition. This also applies more generally to sharing responsibility for tasks and fame for successes.

Historical figures

Due to both possessing a snout and being unable to speak any of the common tongues, Lupin were for many centuries considered mere beasts despite their humanoid shape. This belief was not challenged until the miracles of Saint Marmaritae a dog-headed man who was so favored by the gods that they dispatched a spherical angel to speak on his behalf. He healed the sick with a touch, ended blood feuds with but a single utterance, and wherever he walked even the most barren lands produced grain in abundance. It was through these miracles that he found audience with both the emperor of Old Daqin and the conclave of Nysan philosopher kings. He was able to convince them of his people's fundamental humanity and grant them all the rights of other citizens. Unfortunately this did little to prejudices of petty lords and rural communities.

Related Organizations

• Capetia
• Dominon

Languages spoken

• Canid

Lupin (Dog Head)

Standard Racial Traits
• Ability Score Racial Traits: Lupin characters gain a +2 racial bonus to one ability score of their choice at creation to represent their varied nature.
• Size: Lupins are Medium creatures and thus have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
• Type: Lupins are monstrous humanoids.
• Base Speed: Lupins have a base speed of 30 feet.
• Languages: Lupins begin play speaking Canid but due to their strange mouth structure are unable to speak most humanoid languages. Lupids with high Intelligence can choose to speak heavily accented Yeti or Delta with their bonus languages. They can also choose to understand but not speak any other non-secret language.
Feat and Skill Racial Traits
• Keen Senses (Ex): Lupins receive a +2 racial bonus on Perception checks.
• Team Player (Ex): Lupins select a bonus teamwork feat at 1st level. Additionally all of a lupin’s allies are treated as if they possessed the same teamwork feats as the lupin for the purpose of determining whether the lupin receives a bonus from her teamwork feats. If a lupin would obtain the solo tactics class feature they instead may select a bonus teamwork feat.
Offense Racial Traits
• Natural Weapons (Ex): Lupins have a bite primary natural attack that deals 1d4 points of damage.
Senses Racial Traits
• Darkvision (Ex): Lupins see perfectly in the dark up to 60 feet.
• Scent (Ex): Lupins have a keen sense of smell. They have the scent ability up to a range of 30 feet.
Weakness Racial Traits
• Muzzle Mouth (Ex): Lupins have a muzzle unsuited to speak the languages of humanoid species. As a result they can only speak Canid, Yeti, Delta, and languages of extraplanar origin such as Celestial. This cannot be overcome through the tongues spell, but can with any ability which would grant animals the ability to speak.