| Uncommon | Medium | Humanoid | Wulfen |
A species of bipedal wolf-people, wulfen are known for their powerful physiques, serene patience, and deeply ingrained social structures. Having built advanced civilizations on worlds scattered across the galaxy, they combine a respect for ancient traditions with a pragmatic drive for effectiveness and the well-being of their communities.
Wulfen are a rare but known presence in the Core Worlds, the descendants of a people who journeyed through the fey realm known as the Wild to escape extinction. Their ancient concept of the “pack” has since formed the bedrock of their modern societies, evolving from a survival instinct into a sophisticated philosophy centered on community, civic duty, and social cohesion. Wulfen culture is built on a rigid, centuries-old tradition of valuing effectiveness; a leader who cannot capably provide for their community will be replaced. In most matters, wulfen society is gender-agnostic, with roles and responsibilities assigned based on merit rather than gender identity, though gender remains an important facet of romantic relationships.
You Might…
- Value the well-being and cohesion of your chosen family, crew, or community above all else.
- Be very physically demonstrative with your trusted companions—through hearty back-slaps, friendly shoves, or other tactile gestures.
- Demonstrate extreme patience, observing a situation from all angles before committing to a course of action.
Others Probably…
- Are intimidated by your size, strength, and prominent teeth, assuming you are prone to violence.
- Mistake you for a dangerous bioweapon, an uplifted animal, or a victim of a lycanthropic disease.
- Respect the brutal efficiency you display when you finally decide to act, whether in combat or negotiation.
Physical Description
Wulfen are powerfully built bipedal humanoids with the heads and digitigrade legs of wolves. Their bodies are covered in thick fur, which is typically white-gray on those adapted to warmer climates or russet-brown on those from colder worlds, with lighter shades on their chests and necks. Males average 350 pounds and stand between 7 and 8 feet tall, while females are typically a bit shorter and slimmer. A long, forward-thrusting neck gives them a slightly hunched appearance. Most wulfen have a deep appreciation for accessories like belts, bracers, and necklaces and develop affectations for such items, using them as status symbols.
Society
Many wulfen live in sprawling, technologically advanced cities that resemble natural forests. Their governments often take the form of city-state autocracies, where a single leader—often called a Director, Governor, or a similar title—holds absolute authority. This is not a position for life; the leader must constantly demonstrate their effectiveness and can be challenged and replaced through formal processes if they lose the people’s confidence. While each city is self-governed, they are all bound by a set of universally respected traditional laws that even a Director cannot easily change.
Language
The Wulfen language is a complex spoken tongue that to outsiders may sound somewhat guttural and gruff. Wulfen communication relies heavily on nonverbal cues; body posture, ear position, and subtle gestures can drastically change the meaning of a spoken phrase. This makes them masters of conveying meaning with minimal words.
Names
A wulfen’s name is typically given to them by their parents, following traditions that favor names reflecting elements of nature or cosmic phenomena. These names are typically gender-neutral though some trends often arise where some types of names are given to one gender over another (such as names representing physical, tangible things being masculine, and names representing concepts or celestial objects being considered feminine). Some wulfen follow ancient religious practices and rely on spiritual leaders to interpret an infant’s spirit and bestow a name, a ritual seen as deeply honorable but increasingly rare. Since wulfen names are made up of common words, they almost always translate their names when speaking other languages.
Example Names: Butterfly, Cloud, Fang, Ghost, Howl, New Moon, Oak Tree, Peace, Rainfall, Runner, Star, Stone, Wind
Beliefs
Wulfen spirituality is centered on the denizens of the Wild, the physical realm of the fey. They view the Wild as a promised afterlife, a paradise (or prison) their spirits will enter upon death. The powerful Fey Lords are often venerated as deities, and wulfen settlements often adopt a patron Fey Lord, shaping their culture and laws around that being’s specific edicts and philosophies. Though the Fey Lords are held in the highest regard, this reverence extends to all fey, whom they treat with a mixture of awe and respect.
Popular Edicts: defend your community and family, respect the Wild and fey creatures, test your strength
Popular Anathema: dishonor your community, insult or disrespect the fey, submit to oppressive authority
MECHANICS
Hit Points
8
Size
Medium
Speed
25 feet
Attribute Boosts
Strength, Wisdom, Free
Attribute Flaw
Charisma
Languages
- Wulfen
- Common
- Additional languages equal to your Intelligence modifier (if it’s positive). Choose from Jotun, Orcish, Sylvan, Verdantic, and any other languages to which you have access (such as the languages prevalent in your region).
Low-Light Vision
You can see in dim light as though it were bright light, and you ignore the concealed condition due to dim light.
Bite
Your powerful jaws are a natural weapon. You have a jaws unarmed attack that deals 1d6 piercing damage. Your jaws are in the brawling group.