Cynocephaly Class for OSE

Here comes another weird monster-human hybrid class inspired by my historical research for OSE! These dog-headed creatures are often distinguished as being entirely separate from lycanthropes, in that their condition seems to be natural rather than the result of a curse, and that they are fully conscious of their actions, rather than some rabid, violent animal. They do not possess transformative powers and are often written about in a religious context. The most famous Cynocephaly in medieval literature is St. Christopher, who was a dog-headed man who would attack and bark at people, until he met Christ and turned into a human. I’ve tried to echo this in the class somewhat, disconnecting it from its religious overtones. Instead, as the characters gain levels, they become more “civilised” and human, until they lose their levels in the class and become another one.

 

As another little bit of flavour/mechanical complexity, I’ve given them the option of attacking with their claws or their fangs. This means that they can keep one or both of their hands free for much needed dungeoneering equipment. Its probably a bit too powerful, but I think that their power is reflected in their XP progression pretty well, being one of the slowest classes to progress behind the Elf. Let me know what you think and whether I can improve my presentation/balance.

 

 

 

Cynocephaly Class

 

Cynocephali are dog-headed humans who are often maligned by society for their monstrous forms. They may have been born this way, or it may be the result of a terrible curse, or from being away from lawful society for too long. Standing taller than the average human, they are adept fighters, and use their heightened sense of smell to track their prey. Cynocephali can use their sharp claws and fangs in a fight instead of their weapons if they wish. However, they are in a state of slow transformation, and once they reach level 6 will lose their canine traits and swap their levels in Cynocephaly to a human class such as Fighter, Cleric, Thief or Magic User.

 

Requirement: None

Prime Requisite: DEX

Hit dice: d6

Maximum level: 5

Armour: All Armour

Weapon: All Weapons

Languages: Common, Alignment language, Dog

 

Combat

Cynocephali can use their Claws and Fangs as weapons dealing d6 damage.

Cynocephali may use any armour and any weapon. They may find it difficult to find a helmet that fits comfortably.

 

Dog-headed creature

Due to their strange, and sometimes scary, physical features, reaction rolls vs humans are rolled with a -1. Their reaction rolls vs beasts have +1. Once they reach level 4, they seem more human in their demeanour, and no longer suffer from this effect.

Cynocephali have an excellent sense of smell and have a 2-in-6 chance of smelling something behind a door.

 

Anthrocephalic transformation

Once they reach level 6, Cynocephali lose all of their levels in the Cynocephaly Class and swap them for 6 levels in another human class (Fighter, Cleric, Thief or Magic User). This transformation may have come in the form of a blessing from a god, or as a curse from a dark power. This may also simply occur naturally once the Cynocephaly has spent enough time around other humans.

 

Level	XP	HD	THAC0	D	W	P	B	S	Reaction rolls vs humans
1	3,000	1d6	19[0]	8	9	10	13	12	-1
2	6,000	2d6	19[0]	8	9	10	13	12	-1
3	12,000	3d6	19[0]	8	9	10	13	12	-1
4	24,000	4d6	17[+2]	6	7	8	10	10	0
5	48,000	5d6	17[+2]	6	7	8	10	10	0