Werecorgi (3.5e Template)

The Bandit King gets up from the ground, bleeding from his wounds.

"Now you will see my TRUE form!"

The Bandit King turns into a Corgi.

"Bark Bark!" The Bandit King wags his tail.

Werecorgi
Summary::A Werecorgi is a special kind of lycanthrope, however they are weaker (and much more cuter) than the average lycanthrope.

While this template constantly refers to the Corgi breed of dog, any dog could apply with no adjustment other than fluff, such as Pomeranian or Chihuahua.

Creating a Werecorgi
Werecorgi is a template that can be added to any Medium or Small humanoid or giant (referred to hereafter as the base creature). The werecorgi template can be inherited (for natural werecorgis) or acquired (for afflicted werecorgis).

Size and Type
The base creature’s type does not change, but the creature gains the Shapechanger subtype.

Hit Dice
As base creature.

Speed
Same as the base creature or 40 feet, depending on which form the werecorgi is using. Hybrids use the base creature’s speed or 40 feet, whichever is faster.

Armor Class
base creature’s natural armor bonus increases by +1 in all forms.

Attacks
Same as the base creature or as a dog, depending on which form the werecorgi is using. A werecorgi in hybrid form gains two claw attacks and a bite attack as natural weapons.

These weapons deal damage based on the hybrid form’s size. A hybrid may attack with a weapon and a bite, or may attack with its natural weapons. The bite attack of a hybrid is a secondary attack.

Damage
Same as the base creature or as a dog, depending on which form the werecorgi is in.

Special Attacks
A werecorgi retains the special attacks of the base creature, depending on which form it is using, and also gains the special attacks described below.

A werecorgi spellcaster cannot cast spells with verbal, somatic, or material components while in animal form, or spells with verbal components while in hybrid form.

 : Any humanoid or giant hit by a natural werecorgi’s bite attack in animal or hybrid form must succeed on a DC 15 Fortitude save or contract lycanthropy. If the victim’s size is not within one size category of the werecorgi the victim cannot contract lycanthropy from that werecorgi. Afflicted werecorgis cannot pass on the curse of lycanthropy.

Special Qualities
A werecorgi retains all the special qualities of the base creature and also gains those described below.

 : A werecorgi can assume the form of a dog. A werecorgi also can assume a bipedal hybrid form with prehensile hands and animalistic features. When in animal or hybrid form, a werecorgi gains +4 to Dexterity.

Changing to or from animal or hybrid form is a standard action.

A slain werecorgi reverts to its humanoid form, although it remains dead. Separated body parts retain their animal form, however.

Afflicted werecorgis find this ability difficult to control (see Lycanthropy as an Affliction, below), but natural werecorgis have full control over this power.

 : A werecorgi in animal or hybrid form has damage reduction 5/silver.

 : In any form, werecorgis can communicate and empathize with dogs. This gives them a +4 racial bonus on checks when influencing the dog’s attitude and allows the communication of simple concepts and (if the dog is friendly) commands, such as “friend,” “foe,” “flee,” and “attack.”

 : A werecorgi has low-light vision in any form.

 : A werecorgi has the scent ability in any form.

Abilities
All werecorgis gain +2 to Charisma in all forms.

Environment
Same as either the base creature or dog.

Organization
Solitary or pair, sometimes family (3–4), pack (6–10), or troupe (family plus dogs)

Challenge Rating
By class level or base creature, plus Challenge Rating::1.

Treasure
Standard.

Alignment
Usually good.

Advancement
By character class

Level Adjustment
+Level Adjustment::1 Afflicted, +Level Adjustment::2 Natural