Hengeyokai - Lords of the South

One of my favourite races in any edition of D&D, hengeyokai are, to my mind, the best incarnation of the strange, magical non-human in the game. Moreso than elves or dwarves, they exemplify the spirit of creatures who exist outside human civilisation. The above image (by Storn Cook) is how I see the drake hengeyokai; I was torn between whether they were drakes (male ducks), or drakes (small dragons). I went with the latter (We'll save ducks for a Runequest post.) :D

The list below includes all the original types from 1E as well as the badger and weasel from 3E. Overkill?

Hengeyokai

Requirements: STR9, CON 9

Ability Modifiers: (see below), -1 WIS

Ability Min/Max: STR 12/18 (17), DEX 9/18, CON 12/18, INT 12/18. WIS 12/18, CHA 12/17

Hengeyokai are intelligent animals who can change shape into a human form. There are many different types, but all regard themselves as one people. They are as varied in their appearance as humans, but all hengeyokai display some indication of their animal type when in human form e.g. a sparrow hengeyokai may have a very pointed nose, a hare hengeyokai large ears etc. They are a secretive race who shun the civilisation of mankind. Benign hengeyokai sometimes take on the role of protector for a human village.

Hengeyokai are much more fixed in their alignment than humans, and the alignment of each type is well known in human folklore. Thus a carp hengeyokai's presence would be construed as a sign of good fortune, whereas a fox hengeyokai would be regarded with suspicion.

Each hengeyokai has 3 forms it can turn into: human form, animal form, and a hybrid form of human stature but with animal features. When in animal form, a hengeyokai's hitpoints are halved, and any damage taken is carried over into the other forms. If a hengeyokai has 0 hp or fewer in human or hybrid form, it cannot change shape to animal form.

Hengeyokai can see in the dark with infravision up to 60 feet in animal form and hybrid form. In all three forms, hengeyokai speak hengeyokai (all types share the same tongue); in human and hybrid form, they can speak the trade language; in hybrid and animal form, they gain the language of normal animals of their type.

Abilities.

Animal..............Alignment..AC........Move...............Fly..................Swim

Carp...................Lawful........6..........--......................--....................120

Cat.....................Neutral........8..........120...................--....................--

Crab...................Any.............7..........30.....................--....................60

Crane.................Lawful........8..........60.....................120....................--

Dog....................Lawful........8..........120....................--....................--

Drake.................Lawful........6..........60.....................120................. 90

Fox.....................Chaotic.......5..........150....................--....................--

Hare...................Lawful........4..........180....................--....................--

Monkey..............Neutral........5..........120...................--....................--

Racoon dog........Chaotic.......8..........90......................--....................--
/Badger

Rat......................Chaotic......4...........90......................--....................--

Sparrow..............Lawful.......2...........30....................150...................--

Weasel................Neutral.......3...........90....................--....................--

HENGEYOKAI CLASSES AVAILABLE

Class............Level Limit

Bushi...........Unlimited

Kensai..........6

Shukenja......8

Wu Jen.........9