The Rougaru are a race of wolf-people deceptively akin to Werewolves. Rougaru and Werewolves are only related in appearance, they share no biological or zoological relationship. Rougaru are born inherently wolf-people. Unlike Werewolves, who are magically created from other humanoids through a process of lycanthropy, Rougarus’ wolf[1]forms are their true forms. They are born that way, they live that way, and they die that way. They are not quelled by silver, stakes, or divine magics, as they are not lycanthropic. Rougaru often live in packs in their own isolationist societies.
Lycanthropic Mimicry
Until relatively recently, the general population thought of Werewolves and Rougaru as the same creatures. As such, Rougaru have unwillingly developed a reputation for being primal, dangerous people, capable of becoming feral at a moment's notice. Rougaru are banned from entering some towns and cities and often their rights to citizenship are questioned.
Burdened
After the distinction between Rougaru and Werewolves became more well-known, Rougarus’ value as laborers began to be recognized by those who formally exiled them. Now, people often exploit Rougarus’ societal standings for their own benefits. Morally-bankrupt employers began to hire Rougaru for drastically unfair wages, as well as other forms of exploitative labor practices.
Rougaru Names
Current Rougaru naming conventions are based on a combination of Rougaru tradition, which is based on their flowy yet guttural native tongue, and Common names.
Androgynous Names: Alex, Baptise, Edmee, Gwen, Jean, Leslie, Rudy
Female Names: Ariane, Cecile, Flavie, Jacquine, Lila, Louisiane, Prisca, Sabrina, Vanica, Yoann
Male Names: Abel, Denis, Fabien, Leonard, Marceau, Patrice, Roch, Roland, Simeon
Rougaru Traits
Your Rougaru character has certain characteristics in
common with all other Rougaru.
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases
by 2 and your Wisdom score increases by 1.
Age. Rougaru reach adulthood at around age 14 and can
live up to 65-75 years.
Alignment. Rougaru are instinctively loyal people, as such
they are predisposed to Lawful alignments.
Size. Rougaru are between 6 and 8 feet tall and average
about 260 pounds. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 35 feet.
Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you
as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim
light. You can not discern color in darkness, only shades of
gray.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and
Rugarais.
Natural Athlete. You have proficiency with the Athletics
skill.
Keen Senses. You have advantage on all Wisdom
(Perception) skill checks that rely on smell.
Beastly Endurance. Rougaru's bodies are naturally
accumulated to demanding physical conditions. When you
accumulate levels of exhaustion, you are affected as if you
have 1 level of exhaustion lower than what you currently have
(including 1 level of exhaustion).
Spirit of Fury. Rougaru have a well of instinctual fury
which to draw from. When you suffer damage which drops
your current hit points to less than half of your maximum hit
point, you may use your reaction to activate this feature.
When you activate this feature you temporarily add 4 to
your Strength score (your Strength score can not exceed 30
using this feature). This effect lasts for 1 minute. Until this
feature ends, at the start of each of your turns you must make
a Wisdom saving throw (DC = 10 + your Strength modifier).
On a failed save you attack the nearest creature to you. If
there are multiple creatures within the same distance of you
then your target is decided randomly.