Inumimi (Dog)

Inumimi, like other kemonomimi, are descendants of spirits that became flesh and lived with humans. Their specific lineages can be traced to dog-spirits, a renowned protectors and friends to humankind, and loyalty is often seen as their greatest virtue.

Inumimi are direct, often to the point of bluntness. They try to temper it with socially acceptable courtesy, though never allowing politeness to misdirect or cloud their intentions.

Because of their great respect for loyalty, typical inumimi would never betray friends and companions. Even if treated exceptionally badly, inumimi would be expected to formally and publicly denounce any and all ties to the tormentors before turning on them. Gravely hurt or betrayed inumimi, or one avenging lost master, friends, or comrades, on a rampage against his enemies is a staple of inumimi stories, an unstoppable force of vengeful wrath.

Physical Description: Typical inumimi is bulkier and more massive than other kemonomimi. Like the rest of their spirit-touched siblings, inumimi look mostly human, except for their dog-like flappy ears and black, moist nose. Most of them also sport a short tail, sometimes but not universally bushy. They are usually brown-skinned, though other skin tones are not unheard of, often with large spots of slightly brighter or slightly darker tone. Inumimi have quite visible and rather strong canines, though rarely strong enough to serve as a natural weapon. Their hair can be both brighter or darker than their skin tone, though their eyes are almost always very dark.

Society: Communal bonds and cooperation are very important values for inumimi, though they consider personal bonds and individual loyalty as even greater virtues, the superior refinements of the former. Serving the community and staying loyal to one’s peers is of critical importance but is never expected to be mindless devotion. In fact, inumimi strive to challenge the current leaders over failures, demanding constant improvement, and at the same time will back them against any outside threats. Arguing vociferously is typical, with the least important inumimi being often the loudest.

Relations: Inumimi easily get along with communally-minded races, especially humans and dwarves. They often become protective over halflings, though they are often angered by less savory small-sized races, such as kobolds and goblins. Because of their perceived loyalty and their innate ability to ward off curses, inumimi are often sought as guardians and bodyguards by other people. Indeed, they form bonds quickly with their companions and try to fit into communities that accepted them.

Alignment And Religion: Communally-minded, inumimi often gravitate toward lawful alignment, those who are drawn by chaos are often also corrupted by cruelty. Like other kemonomimi, they mainly worship ancestral and nature spirits, with dogs obviously being their primary spiritual guides.

Adventurers: Inumimi favor boldness and valor in battle, preferring martial roles, such as fighters, paladins, and monks. Together with their fondness for bonds of companionship they really appreciate militant classes that keep companions such as cavaliers, hunters, and rangers, as well as the more spiritually inclined druids, shamans, and spiritualists.

Standard Racial Traits

• Ability Scores: Inumimi are a strong and deeply spiritual folk. They gain a +2 bonus to Strength and Wisdom.
• Type: Inumimi are humanoids with kemonomimi subtype.
• Size: Inumimi are Medium creatures and have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
• Speed: Inumimi have a base speed of 30 feet.
• Languages: Kemonomimi begin play speaking Common and Sylvan. Kemonomimi with high Intelligence scores can choose from the following languages: Catfolk, Celestial, Giant, Goblin, Tengu, and Vanara.
• Low-Light Vision: In dim light, inumimi see twice as far as humans.

Feat & Skill Racial Traits

• Racial Bonuses: Inumimi gain a +2 racial bonus to Handle Animals and Survival skill checks. They have a natural aptitude for taming animals, hunting, and tracking.
• Canine Affinity: Inumimi gain a +4 racial bonus to Handle Animal and wild empathy checks made to interact with dogs, wolves, and other dog-like beasts. All kemonomimi have an affinity for their animal kin.
• Repel Misfortune: Dog-spirits are traditional guardians against malign magic and so are their mortal descendants. Inumimi gain a +2 racial bonus to saving throws against curses and they grant the same bonus to adjacent allies, though bonus granted by multiple inumimi does not stack.