Phooka

The phooka are a proud race of beast-like shapeshifters that may once have been human.

The Walkers of the Forest

The phooka are often confused with lycanthropes, though there is little evidence to support the theory that they were born of the pairing of lycanthropes. It is far more likely that the phooka were once human before a fey curse turned them into walking mockeries of the creatures of the forest. Under the influence of this fey curse, the phooka developed the ability to change forms, though they could never return to their original human form ever again. Whatever the case, all phooka appear as humanoid versions of natural creatures. The most common phooka are the goat-like goashen, the rat-like roshen, and the hare-like mushan.

Phooka Adventurers

Most phooka take naturally to a life of adventure. Because of their bestial appearance and fey nature, many humanoids distrust them, at least initially. Phooka adventurers are often druids or ranger, though they also take naturally to the witch and sorcerer classes. Warlock phooka usually have the archfey patron.

Traits

Your phooka character is a shapeshifter with fey-cursed, human ancestry.

• Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2.
• Age. Phooka reach maturity at the age of 8 and live to about 60 years old.
• Alignment. Most phooka are chaotic neutral. As fey creatures, many phooka are mischievous, but rarely harmful. Ravaging bands of evil phooka are not uncommon though.
• Base Form. You take the form of one of your parents. Choose between the goat-like goshen, the rat-like roshen, or the hare-like mushan. You gain the racial traits listed for the phooka type of your choice.
• Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Elven.
• Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
• Fey Forged. You cannot transform, or be transformed, into a human. Likewise, illusionary magic can never make you appear to be human. Additionally, you have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.
• Shapeshift. You can, as an action, magically transform into a beast of CR 1/4 or less. This trait functions as the druid’s Wild Shape class feature, except that you don’t gain access to additional types of beasts if you reach higher levels unless you gain the Wild Shape ability itself. Furthermore, you can remain in your beast form indefinitely, and always have the choice to revert to your normal form or not when you become unconscious. You can use this trait again after a long rest. If you have the Wild Shape druid class feature, then this trait grants you an extra use of that feature.

Subraces

Goshen

With curved horns and cloven hooves for feet, the goshen strongly resemble goats. Their hair or fur ranges from white, through brown, to black, and can be dappled or patched, just like a normal goat. They are expert climbers.

• Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 1.
• Size. Goshen range in size from under 5 feet to well over 6 feet tall. Your size is Medium.
• Cliff Runner. You have advantage on Athletics checks made to climb and on Acrobatics checks made to keep your balance.

Roshen

The rat-like roshen are secretive and numerous.

Their fur ranges from white to black or dark grey. Most roshen have long, pink tails that match their large pink ears, but some are born without tails.

• Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by 1.
• Size. Roshen range in size from under 5 feet to around 6 feet tall. Your size is Medium.
• Keen Senses. You have proficiency in the Perception skill.
• Plague Bite. You can use your action to make a bite attack. The attack deals 1d4 piercing damage and the target must make a Constitution saving throw equal to 8 + your Constitution modifier + you proficiency bonus. On a failure, the target is infected with sewer plague.

Mushan

The mushan resemble hares or rabbits, with large feet and long, furry ears. Like hares, they are quick and skittish, though they are also the most sociable of all the phooka.

• Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 1.
• Size. Mushan hardly even grow taller than 4 feet. Your size is Small.
• Keen Senses. You have proficiency in the Perception skill.
• Run! You can use the Disengage action as a reaction when you are the target of an attack from an attacker you can see. When you use this trait, you cannot take an action again until after your next turn.