Kinslayer777
2010-05-05, 03:40 PM
The Shin'Tao
http://th01.deviantart.com/fs12/300W/i/2006/303/8/1/The_Pedals_Fall_by_Coyox.jpg
The Shin'Tao Nomads are a race shrouded in quiet mystery to the outside world. Peacefully exclusive, the Shin'Tao Nomads are a wise, peaceful race of bipedal wolves that share a common appreciation of nature. Through their appreciation and observance of nature, humans have proven to be an intriguing, but unapproachable, point of interest to the Shin'Tao. Through deep meditation and centering of self with nature, the Shin'Tao have harnessed the ability to alter their form to that of mankind, so that natural observation of human life could be achieved. Walking another's path is an integral part of true understanding to the Shin'Tao. The Shin'Tao adhere strictly to the philosophy of Gan'Jin, True Sight, which includes 3 points of mental focus:
Wisdom- The right view and intention
Self-Discipline- The right speech, action, and livelihood
Concentration- The right effort, mindfulness, and focus
All 3 points of focus are interconnected and equally important. Few Shin'Tao forsake their cultural philosophy, spending most of their time in deep meditation or quiet observance of nature. The Shin'Tao are a severely group-oriented people, keeping individual thought to one's self for the sake of group harmony. Because of their strong communal ties, few Shin'Tao leave their clans permanently, though many travel to acquire higher wisdom through a greater understanding of the natural world.
A Shin'Tao shares great resemblance to a werewolf, but lacks any ferocious nature stigmatized towards that image. Their hair varies between white, dirty blonde, brunette, and black, though red has been seen from time to time. They stand at about 6-7' tall when fully erect, though closer to 6' in normal standing position. In human form, they resemble normal humans (height decreasing to between 5-6' on average). Some aspect of their wolf form is always apparent in their human form's appearance (e.g., sharp canine teeth, hairiness, etc.).
The Shin'Tao normally dwell in the highlands and mountains, closer to the moon that they feel a strange magnetism towards. There they have built temples of mediation out of the mountainside. And there they search their inner depths for true spiritual enlightenment.
The Shin'Tao are organized by clans, headed by a chief elder, elders being seen as the wisest and most capable of informed leadership. Respect and honor are given to the chief elder, as most Shin'Tao readily accept the decision of one without without question.
Alignment: Mostly Lawful or True Neutral, though Any alignment is available.
Racial Traits:
+2 Wis, +2 Int, -2 Str: The Shin'Tao are perceptive and reasoning, yet, by virtue of their mental focus on the interior as opposed to the exterior, and thus lack of strenuous exercise, they are weaker physically.
Medium: As medium creatures, the Shin'Tao have no special bonuses or penalties due to their size.
A Shin'Tao's base land speed is 40 ft in wolf form and 30 ft in human form.
Low-Light Vision: A Shin'Tao can see twice as far as a human in starlight, moonlight, torchlight, and similar poor illumination. She retains the ability to distinguish color and detail under these conditions.
Worse than it's bark: While in wolf-form, a Shin'Tao gains a bite attack which deals 1d6 plus Strength modifier for medium creatures.
Sharp nails: While in wolf-form, a Shin'Tao gains a claw attack which deals 1d4 plus Strength modifier for medium creatures.
Scent (Ex): Th Shin'Tao have the scent (http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/SRD:Scent) ability in any form.
Alternate form (http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Alternate_form) (Su): A Shin'Tao can assume the form of a human. Changing to or from human form is a standard action.
A slain Shin'Tao reverts to its wolf form, although it remains dead. Separated body parts retain their human form, however.
Automatic languages: Common and Sylvan.
Favored class: Druid
Optional Bonus Racial Feats:
Nature Empathic
Prerequisites: Shin'Tao
Benefits: You gain the ability to use Detect Animals or Plants (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/detectAnimalsOrPlants.htm) at will.
Natural Observance
Prerequisites: Shin'Tao
Benefits: You gain the ability to use Hide from Animals (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/hideFromAnimals.htm) at will.
Fetch
Prerequisites: Shin'Tao, 10 Ranks in Handle Animal
Benefits: You gain the ability to use Dominate Animal (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/dominateAnimal.htm) on any canine at will. This ability does not effect other Shin'Tao.
True Seeing (Epic feat)
Prerequisites: Shin'Tao, 20 Ranks in Spot, Wis 28
Benefits: You gain the permanent ability of True Seeing (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/trueSeeing.htm) .
Kindred Sympathetic
Prerequisite: Shin'Tao, 12 Ranks in Handle Animal
Benefit: You gain the ability to use Sympathy (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/sympathy.htm) on canines 1/day.
Animal Senses
Prerequisites: Shin'Tao, 18 Ranks in Spot
Benefit: You gain the ability to use Foresight (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/foresight.htm) 1/day.
Balanced for Pathfinder. LA +1 for 3.5.
http://th01.deviantart.com/fs12/300W/i/2006/303/8/1/The_Pedals_Fall_by_Coyox.jpg
The Shin'Tao Nomads are a race shrouded in quiet mystery to the outside world. Peacefully exclusive, the Shin'Tao Nomads are a wise, peaceful race of bipedal wolves that share a common appreciation of nature. Through their appreciation and observance of nature, humans have proven to be an intriguing, but unapproachable, point of interest to the Shin'Tao. Through deep meditation and centering of self with nature, the Shin'Tao have harnessed the ability to alter their form to that of mankind, so that natural observation of human life could be achieved. Walking another's path is an integral part of true understanding to the Shin'Tao. The Shin'Tao adhere strictly to the philosophy of Gan'Jin, True Sight, which includes 3 points of mental focus:
Wisdom- The right view and intention
Self-Discipline- The right speech, action, and livelihood
Concentration- The right effort, mindfulness, and focus
All 3 points of focus are interconnected and equally important. Few Shin'Tao forsake their cultural philosophy, spending most of their time in deep meditation or quiet observance of nature. The Shin'Tao are a severely group-oriented people, keeping individual thought to one's self for the sake of group harmony. Because of their strong communal ties, few Shin'Tao leave their clans permanently, though many travel to acquire higher wisdom through a greater understanding of the natural world.
A Shin'Tao shares great resemblance to a werewolf, but lacks any ferocious nature stigmatized towards that image. Their hair varies between white, dirty blonde, brunette, and black, though red has been seen from time to time. They stand at about 6-7' tall when fully erect, though closer to 6' in normal standing position. In human form, they resemble normal humans (height decreasing to between 5-6' on average). Some aspect of their wolf form is always apparent in their human form's appearance (e.g., sharp canine teeth, hairiness, etc.).
The Shin'Tao normally dwell in the highlands and mountains, closer to the moon that they feel a strange magnetism towards. There they have built temples of mediation out of the mountainside. And there they search their inner depths for true spiritual enlightenment.
The Shin'Tao are organized by clans, headed by a chief elder, elders being seen as the wisest and most capable of informed leadership. Respect and honor are given to the chief elder, as most Shin'Tao readily accept the decision of one without without question.
Alignment: Mostly Lawful or True Neutral, though Any alignment is available.
Racial Traits:
+2 Wis, +2 Int, -2 Str: The Shin'Tao are perceptive and reasoning, yet, by virtue of their mental focus on the interior as opposed to the exterior, and thus lack of strenuous exercise, they are weaker physically.
Medium: As medium creatures, the Shin'Tao have no special bonuses or penalties due to their size.
A Shin'Tao's base land speed is 40 ft in wolf form and 30 ft in human form.
Low-Light Vision: A Shin'Tao can see twice as far as a human in starlight, moonlight, torchlight, and similar poor illumination. She retains the ability to distinguish color and detail under these conditions.
Worse than it's bark: While in wolf-form, a Shin'Tao gains a bite attack which deals 1d6 plus Strength modifier for medium creatures.
Sharp nails: While in wolf-form, a Shin'Tao gains a claw attack which deals 1d4 plus Strength modifier for medium creatures.
Scent (Ex): Th Shin'Tao have the scent (http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/SRD:Scent) ability in any form.
Alternate form (http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Alternate_form) (Su): A Shin'Tao can assume the form of a human. Changing to or from human form is a standard action.
A slain Shin'Tao reverts to its wolf form, although it remains dead. Separated body parts retain their human form, however.
Automatic languages: Common and Sylvan.
Favored class: Druid
Optional Bonus Racial Feats:
Nature Empathic
Prerequisites: Shin'Tao
Benefits: You gain the ability to use Detect Animals or Plants (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/detectAnimalsOrPlants.htm) at will.
Natural Observance
Prerequisites: Shin'Tao
Benefits: You gain the ability to use Hide from Animals (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/hideFromAnimals.htm) at will.
Fetch
Prerequisites: Shin'Tao, 10 Ranks in Handle Animal
Benefits: You gain the ability to use Dominate Animal (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/dominateAnimal.htm) on any canine at will. This ability does not effect other Shin'Tao.
True Seeing (Epic feat)
Prerequisites: Shin'Tao, 20 Ranks in Spot, Wis 28
Benefits: You gain the permanent ability of True Seeing (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/trueSeeing.htm) .
Kindred Sympathetic
Prerequisite: Shin'Tao, 12 Ranks in Handle Animal
Benefit: You gain the ability to use Sympathy (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/sympathy.htm) on canines 1/day.
Animal Senses
Prerequisites: Shin'Tao, 18 Ranks in Spot
Benefit: You gain the ability to use Foresight (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/foresight.htm) 1/day.
Balanced for Pathfinder. LA +1 for 3.5.