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Shistavanen

Medium species · Uvena Prime
sourceECsizeMedium
Tweaked from 5eYou already know this as 5e Elf (likely) — Like an elf you get Darkvision and Keen Senses (Perception proficiency), but reflavored as a wolfish predator — swap Fey Ancestry and Trance for natural claws and a burst of running speed. ✨
Shistavanen
✨
Darkvision, keen senses, 1d6 natural weapons, and a reaction Hit Die heal — built to absorb punishment and keep fighting.
Isolationist wolf-folk of the Uvena system, Shistavanen roam the galaxy as scouts and bounty hunters whose predatory bearing unsettles most other species.
melee-bruiserscouttank
●●●weight · 1d6 unarmed, reaction Hit Die heal
Ability focusStrength-first with a Constitution bump — a durable frontline body.
Standout traits
  • Regenerative — expend a Hit Die as a reaction to regain HP when you'd take damage (not to 0)
  • Tooth and Nail — unarmed strikes deal 1d6 kinetic damage
  • Forced March — advantage on Constitution saves to avoid exhaustion from prolonged travel
!Regenerative only triggers if the damage would leave you above 0 HP, so it won't save you from a lethal hit.
toughnatural-weaponssurvivaldarkvision
Pairs witha Strength-based melee class · the Marauder archetype · the Charger feat

Biology and Appearance

Shistavanen have pronounced muzzles, sharp claws, long pointed teeth, and pointed ears set on top of their heads. Shistavanen also possess large glowing eyes, and can also run at high speeds for long periods without getting tired, alternately using two or four limbs. As predators, they possess keen hearing and smell and excellent night vision.

Society and Culture

As a species, the Shistavanen are isolationists. The species colonized all the unpopulated worlds in the Uvena system to prevent them from being settled by non-Shistavanen, and their restrictive trade laws (which are unapologetic in how they favor their own kind over off-world traders). Most of their society uses technology similar to the rest of the galaxy, though some parts of Uvena Prime use slightly less sophisticated technology.

A minority of Shistavanen are more outgoing, and travel the galaxy's hyperlanes. Even these Shistavanen usually remain by themselves or with other Shistavanen. Due to their natural predatory instincts, Shistavanen commonly find employment as scouts, mercenaries and bounty hunters. Many other species react badly to Shistavanen, since their isolationist culture makes them an unfamiliar sight, and their predatory appearance put other species on edge.

Names

Shistavanen first names typically sound graceful, while their surnames are more gutteral. Surnames are familial.

Male Names. Bustuc, Hulvav, Kembol, Nemdav, Sirul

Female Names. Gaeft, Laer, Recloz, Shaalir, Thovnim

Surnames. Ghirat, Lakrevl, Meq, Nukroft, Rosk

Distinctions. Lupine appearance, enhanced senses, increased speed, increased strength, healing ability

Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1.

Age. Shistavanen reach adulthood in their late teens and live less than a century.

Alignment. Shistavanen are private and tend toward no particular alignment. The best and worst are found among them.

Size. Shistavanen typically stand around 6 feet tall and weigh between 140 and 190 lbs. Regardless of your position in that range, your size is Medium.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision. 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.

Forced March. Shistavanen are able to maintain a fast pace longer than other species. Shistavanen have advantage on Constitution saving throws made to avoid Exhaustion due to prolongued travel, as described in Chapter 8.

Keen Hearing and Smell. You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that involve hearing or smell.

Regenerative. When you take damage, you can use your reaction and expend a Hit Die to regain hit points as long as the damage would not reduce your hit points to 0.

Tooth and Nail. Your fangs and claws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. Additionally, your unarmed strikes deal 1d6 kinetic damage.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Galactic Basic and Shistavanen. The Shistavanen language is characterized by its barks and growls.