Anubite

This Homebrew was created with the specific intent of designing a playable character race that makes more active use of the PHB rules for jumping, and incentivizes the use of jumping both in and out of combat. I chose to forgo the obvious flavor of a froglike race in favor of a jackal theme. For the purposes of this concept, an Anubite is a humanoid with jackal-like traits, including a jackal head, short fur in brown, black, or gray colors, digitigrade legs, and nubby claws on hands and feet.

Reclusive Clans

Anubites live in small, primitive communities, scorning technology and modernity and preferring to remain unseen by the world at large. Living and working closely together, Anubites forge tight-knit bonds amongst members of the same clan and rely on old traditions and the wisdom of elders to inform their view of the world. Some clans may be nomadic, following the seasonal movement of herd animals while taking pains to avoid contact with outsiders, while others may settle in peaceful, undisturbed places, quietly claiming a small slice of territory for themselves.

While not shy about defending themselves from trivial dangers, most Anubite clans would rather vanish into the desert in search of a new home than engage in large scale life-or-death conflicts. Only extreme need will compel such a clan to fight rather than flee.

Life of Hardship

Anubite tradion teaches that a simple life filled with hard work is better than a complex one filled with leisure, and their rare encounters with outsiders are often used as lessons by Anubite elders to reinforce this notion, highlighting any difference in thinking as a dangerous departure from their own strict world view. As a result, Anubites tend to see outsiders as decadent and out of touch with nature.

A mixture of this philosophy and the practical reality of their desert homes leads Anubites to deliberately avoid developing agriculture. Instead, they live difficult lives as hunter gatherers. However, they frequently trade among different clans, or on occasion, even with outsiders.

Practical Myths

While different clans commonly pay tribute to their own interpretations of the classical gods, myths of their own making often play a greater role in Anubite communities. These myths and stories describe and rationalize observations made about nature, magic, and other observable phenomenoms, which they pass down orally from generatioon to generation, serving as both practical and moral education and as entertainment.

Rare Divergents

Not all Anubites are satisfied with living out their lives without ever seeing what the world beyond their clan is like, but only a handful ever act on it. Whether these individuals simply want to learn of the wider world before returning home to their clan with news from abroad, or are genuinely dissatisfied with clan life, the few Anubites who leave their homes will find a world who was never even aware of their existence, and may be surprised when they are met with indifference or suspicion—something they're poorly used to from their tightly-knit communal upbringing.

Anubite Traits

Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1. Age. Anubites have an average lifespan of 60 years.

Anubites have an average lifespan of 60 years. Alignment. Anubites share a strict set of cultural values, and are content to let the world pass them by. They commonly tend towards Lawful or Neutral alignments.

Anubites share a strict set of cultural values, and are content to let the world pass them by. They commonly tend towards Lawful or Neutral alignments. Size. You stand half a head taller than the average human. Your size is Medium.

You stand half a head taller than the average human. Your size is Medium. Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Your base walking speed is 30 feet. Darkvision. You have a canine's keen senses, especially in the dark. 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't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

You have a canine's keen senses, especially in the dark. 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't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray. Natural Athlete. You have proficiency in the Athletics skill.

You have proficiency in the Athletics skill. Boundless Leap. You are a natural-built predator of the desert. As a bonus action, you can triple your jump distance. If you use this trait in combat, additionally choose one of the following effects:

Dashing Leap: Double your speed until the end of turn. Once activated, you must continue to move in a straight line or else end your movement.

Double your speed until the end of turn. Once activated, you must continue to move in a straight line or else end your movement. Concussive Descend: Make an attack against an enemy you end your movement next to. Treat this attack as if it is made with a natural weapon, with which you are proficient. If you hit, you deal 1d4 + your Strength modifier as bludgeoning damage.

Make an attack against an enemy you end your movement next to. Treat this attack as if it is made with a natural weapon, with which you are proficient. If you hit, you deal 1d4 + your Strength modifier as bludgeoning damage. Sudden Departure: Enemies have disadvantage on attacks of opportunity made against you until the end of your turn.

You can use this trait twice. You must complete a short rest before you can use it again.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language of your choice.