Dog-kin

Dog-kin, the most devout and orderly of the Canines are most likely to join the House of Piety or the House of Law. Fox-kin, known for their intellect and deviousness almost always dedicate themselves to the House of Knowledge while the aggressive and militaristic Wolf-kin gravitate toward the House of Arms. The greatest leaders of the Canine Kingdom however, have always been those who had spent time serving in multiple houses during their career.

Dog-kin are one of the most varied races in Layna, with traits from any of their three dozen original breeds popping up randomly. On average they are about 5 and a half feet tall, and weigh around 200 lbs., with the female members being just a bit smaller.

Almost all Dog-kin have tails and sharp front teeth known respectively as canines.

The Dog-kin’s racial speech is called Yipyap, a tonal language in which the pitch of the word can indicate its meaning. Generally, the higher the pitch the less happy the speaker. Because of the widely varied population in the Canine Kingdom, Yipyap is rarely spoken, as most activities are completed in common.

Dog-kin are omnivores and enjoy one of the most widely varied diets in the Seven Realms. They eat meat from domesticated livestock, particular goat and sheep that live in the northern highlands. As well, they have long standing trade agreements for grains and vegetables with the Cat-kin and the Ruminant Republic. Finally, they reap the bounty of the Redwood Forest in the terms of fruits, nuts, and berries.

Dog-kin Traits

• Ability Score Modifiers: +2 Constitution, +2 Charisma, -2 Intelligence: Dog-kin are hardy and likeable, but tend to shun intellectual pursuits as their faith teaches them all that they need to know.
• Type: Dog-kin are humanoids with the canine subtype.
• Size: Dog-kin are Medium creatures and receive no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
• Speed: Dog-kin have a base speed of 30 feet.
• Senses: Low-light vision. Dog-kin can see twice as far as Humans in conditions of dim light.
• Scent: Dog-kin gain the scent ability.
• Eternal Hope: Dog-kin gain a +2 racial bonus on saving throws against fear and despair effects.
• Pius Study: As children all Dog-kin study the teachings of the Big Red God, and the mistaken beliefs of the other races. Dog-kin receive +2 to Knowledge: Religion checks and may make these checks untrained.
• Guard Dog: Dog-kin are dedicated to the people they serve and protect. Once per day a Dog-kin may cast Shield Other as a spell-like ability.
• Ancient Mentors: Dog-kin may treat any weapon with the word Dwarven in the name as a martial weapon. Merely replace “Dwarven” with “Dog-kin” when referring to it.
• Languages: Dog-kin begin play speaking Common and Yipyap. Dog-kin with a high Intelligence score may choose from the following bonus languages: Howl-Speech, Meowori, Bleat-Speak, and Birdsong.

Favored Class Bonuses

• Barbarian: Add +l to the barbarian’s base speed. In combat this option has no effect unless the barbarian has selected it five times (or another increment of five). This bonus stacks with the barbarian’s fast movement feature and applies under the same conditions as that feature.
• Bard: Add one spell known from the bard spell list. This spell must be at least one level below the highest spell level the bard can cast.
• Cavalier: Add +l/2 to the cavalier’s bonus to damage against targets of his challenge.
• Cleric: Add +1/3 to the amount of damage dealt or damage healed when the cleric uses channel energy.
• Fighter: Add a +2 bonus on rolls to stabilize when dying.
• Gunslinger: Add +1/4 to the dodge bonus to AC granted by the nimble class feature (maximum +2) or +1/4 to the AC bonus gained when using the gunslinger‘s dodge deed.
• Paladin: Add +l/2 hit point to the paladin’s lay on hands ability (whether using it to heal or harm).
• Sorcerer: Add +1/2 to acid and earth spell or spell-like ability damage.
• Summoner: Add +l hit point to the summoner’s eidolon.