[Alluria Publishing] Remarkable Races: The Anumus released today!

[Emberion]

The last race of the new set has been released today-- the Anumus.

It is eleven distinct races in one! Man’s best friend just got an upgrade. Meet the Anumi; pets who have undergone a radical transformation into humanoid versions of their former selves. More than just anthropomorphic animals; they have an ancient secret that once made them direct representatives of the gods themselves. With this catch-all bestial race, personify your favorite animal and lead him into combat against evil! Dogs, wolves, cats, tigers, horses, pigs, rats, birds, and more are all an option. In true revised Allurian style; all original art by Tommaso Galmacci, full rules overhaul, and strenuous play testing. This is one 4th Edition D&D race, with full statistics and extras, ready to play right out of the box.

 

[Emberion]

Oops forgot link: EN World PDF Store - Alluria Publishing - Remarkable Races: The Anumus

 

[thundershot]

I didn't have time for a full read.. but... uh... I'm not sure I like the "animal heads on human bodies" concept... I love Anubis and his ilk (Anubis is my "god of death" in my campaign instead of the Raven Queen), but for a PC? Hm... this will require some thought...

 

[Emberion]

Well, there are already a million and one anthropomorphic animal races out there; gnolls, minotaurs, dragonborn, lizardmen, mogogols and even deer and lion men. It would be a disservice to the gaming community to release another entire race such as this without some unique aspect. With the ancient flavor of this set, the animal headed human seemed very appropriate.

 

[JackSmithIV]

Well, there are already a million and one anthropomorphic animal races out there; gnolls, minotaurs, dragonborn, lizardmen, mogogols and even deer and lion men. It would be a disservice to the gaming community to release another entire race such as this without some unique aspect. With the ancient flavor of this set, the animal headed human seemed very appropriate.

Good call. Anthropomorphic races are generally abundant, mostly because it's relatable motif that you can use a launching point for a lot of great flavor. Unfortunately, us third parties have exhausted the idea quite a bit recently. I have to plead guilty myself, what with our newest release. If we return to our "IVe Races" line, we'll probably be working hard on moving away from the anthropomorphism device.

Love the anubis-flavoring! I'll have to take a look at the product sometime soon!

 

[fissionessence]

I like it. It's pretty weird, but I like it. My favorite art is on page 6.

Two things:
1) I'm really not grokking the Manifest Form epic tier feat. It's basically a restricted wild shape 1/day, but with a restriction on what you can turn into . . . so what's the point of the table? It seems like you were careful to choose all creatures ~5th level, but since change shape (the rules the feat called on) doesn't grant you abilities according to the adopted shape, couldn't you just say, "You can turn into a creature relevant to what head you have"? (Obviously you could phrase it better than that ) And it doesn't really seem to do anything [mechanical] . . . does this need to be an epic feat? Druids can do it from level 1. (You don't want to step on druids' toes, but still . . . )

2) Why the Pokéball?

~

 

[Emberion]

1. Manifest form's limited form was to manage the size aspect of change shape. As it is a feat, and not a class power, it should have limitations. Of course, the Game Master can substitute his own list, or remove that restriction entirely.

2. The "pokeball" is even older than the pokeball in conceptual design. Pokemon wasn't actually the first to come up with the "special pet carrier" design, they just made it popular. The original pet carrier I penned back in 1985 for first edition D&D, long before pokemon ever saw the light of day. In my original version, it was a cube. Never-the-less, its still an interesting and useful magic item, even if it does conjur up images of "I choose you, Dire Wolf!"

 

[Siberys]

I'm not big on the awakened-pet theme. I'll likely use 'em as servitors of the Egyptian gods, or as quick replacements for anthropomorphic animals.

Manifest Claws and Vicious bite have "You cannot enchant your bite/claws". Why not? Seems to me, without the ability to, the natural weapon would quickly become less-than-useful.

Of course, I've made a special point to allow the enchanting of natural weapons in my games, among other fixes for that particular problem.

Why are you allowing some of the creatures darkvision? That seems to be one of 4es few sacred cows you done killed there. Same with speed 8; highest I've seen so far is 7. Of course, these probably aren't problematic, but they did jump out at me.

The racial powers aren't formatted like powers; In some cases, this works (ophidian's quality), but for Avian's, for example, it'd be appropriate.

All in all, another great race. Again, not grokkin' the "Sentient pet" deal, but I can ignore that.

 

[Emberion]

Do drow not have darkvision?

 

[Siberys]

Hrm... well, damn. Got me there.

Consider that statement rescinded!