ECL +1
Alignment: By creature type
Reaction Level (if known): Level 3 (Discriminated) or Level 4 (Hated)
Hengeyokai are intelligent, shapechanging animals, able to shift freely between human and animal forms, as well as a bipedal, animalistic form. Several subraces exist, defined by the kind of animal form they can assume. They are typically found on the fringes of human-settled lands in Kara-Tur, where they can mingle in human form but retreat to solitude when they desire.
Hengeyokai tend to be secretive, reclusive, and solitary, dwelling alone or in small bands. They often display personality traits similar to their animal type--so monkey hengeyokai are curious and inquisitive, hare hengeyokai are peaceful but easily startled, and so on. Hengeyokai usually do not try to fit into human society, knowing that they are different and believing they are more closely connected to the spirit world.
In animal form, hengeyokai are almost indistinguishable from normal animals except through magic. Naturally, their behavior often provides proof of their intelligence, so careful observation of a hengeyokai in animal form can reveal that it is not what it appears to be.
Hengeyokai can also assume a bipedal, animalistic ("hybrid") form. They stand on their hind legs (or similar appendages) to the height of their human form. The front paws, wings, or fins change into hands, capable of gripping and using normal equipment. The rest of the body retains the general appearance of the animal, including fur, feathers, wings, tail, and other characteristic features, but in the overall shape of a humanoid head and torso.
In human form, hengeyokai look exactly like normal humans, though (like lycanthropes) they often display some feature associated with their animal form. For example, a sparrow hengeyokai might have a sharply pointed nose, while a rat hengeyokai might have beady eyes and a long mustache.
Most hengeyokai are chaotic, with a strong independent streak. They are wild and value freedom--theirs and others'. Some types of hengeyokai strongly favor good or evil: carp, crane, dog, hare, and sparrow hengeyokai are usually good; badger, fox, raccoon dog, rat, and weasel are usually evil.
Type Change: Shapechanger
Note: Character will lose the bonus human feat from creation, as this is not a template but a different race. Create the character as a human and take a placeholder feat for the bonus feat. In the LETO request to set up the character, request the bonus feat to be removed.
Subrace field: Hengeyokai
Ability Score Change:
-2 Wis
On Skin:
+1/10 Damage Reduction
Feats:
Add (1344) ECL +1
Remove [Placeholder Feat Number]
Language: Animal (works only to speak with their animal form type)
Special Abilities:
Alternate Forms - Hybrid & Animal
Scent - Only usable in Animal & Hybrid Form.
Alignment: Not LN, LG, or NG
Subrace field: Fox Hengeyokai
Hybrid & Animal Form (widget):
+6/10 Damage Reduction
+2 Dex, +2 Con
Alignment: Not LN, LG, CG, or NG
Subrace field: Badger Hengeyokai
Animal Form (widget):
+6/10 Damage Reduction
+2 Dex, +2 Con
Alignment: Not LN, LE, or NE
Subrace field: Monkey Hengeyokai
Animal Form (widget):
+6/10 Damage Reduction
+2 Dex, +2 Str