In which I take a crack at 5e Hengeyokai

Okay, I haven't done the 5e-style flavor text yet, but I probably will at some point, I just wanted to knock out a draft of this and get the mechanics ready before I did any of that stuff. But the plan is to make a nice pretty PDF and I'll have the fluff ready then.

Hengeyokai Traits

Ability Score Increase: The ability score that is highest in your species increases by 2 in your humanoid and hybrid forms. Treat the intelligence score of your species as if it were 10 higher than it actually is for the purposes of this trait. In the event that two or more scores are tied for highest, you may choose which one to increase.
Age: Hengeyokai mature at about the same rate as humans, reaching adulthood in their late teens. They live slightly longer than do humans, usually around 100 years.
Alignment: Free-spirited, even capricious, and playful, hengeyokai tend to be of chaotic alignment.
Size: In their humanoid or hybrid form Hengeyokai are about the size of humans. In their animal form, Hengeyokai are the normal size for an animal of their species.
Speed: In humanoid and hybrid form, your base walking speed is 30 feet. In animal form you have whatever speed is appropriate to your species.
Shapechanging: Hengeyokai can change their shape among three possible forms. Your natural form is that of a beast of CR 0, but as an action you may assume an anthropomorphic "hybrid" form or a humanoid form that resembles a human with features reminiscent of its animal form. Your human features are always the same unique individual, as are your features in both hybrid and animal forms. You may change shape a number of times per day equal to your level. While you are transformed, the following rules apply:

• While in animal form, your game statistics are replaced by the statistics of the beast, but you retain your alignment, personality, and Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores. You also retain ali of your skill and saving throw proficiencies, in addition to gaining those of the creature. If the creature has the same proficiency as you and the bonus in its stat block is higher than yours, use the creature's bonus instead of yours. If the creature has any legendary or lair actions, you can't use them.
• In hybrid form, you have darkvision if your animal form would. If your animal form has the Amphibious, Keen Hearing, Keen Smell, Keen Sight, or Water Breathing traits, your hybrid form does as well.
• When you transform, you retain your own hit points and Hit Dice.
• While in your animal form you can't cast spells, and your ability to speak or take any action that requires hands is limited to the capabilities of your beast form. You may, however, communicate with animals of your species (or closely related ones as defined by the DM.) Transforming doesn't break your concentration on a spell you've already cast, however, or prevent you from taking actions that are part of a spell, such as call Lightning, that you've already cast. While in your hybrid form, you may speak normally and cast spells, but you retain the ability to communicate with animals.
• You retain the benefit of any features from your class or other sources and can use them if the new form is physically capable of doing so.
• You choose whether your equipment falls to the ground in your space, merges into your new form, or is worn by it. Worn equipment functions as normal, but the DM decides whether it is practical for the new form to wear a piece of equipment, based on the creature's shape and size. Your equipment doesn't change size or shape to match the new form, and any equipment that the new form can't wear must either fall to the ground or merge with it. Equipment that merges with the form has no effect until you leave the form.

Languages: You can speak, read, and write Common and Sylvan. Additionally, when in hybrid or animal form, you may communicate with animals of your species (or closely related species as defined by the DM.)

Hengeyokai most frequently take the forms of the following animals, as well as the badger, cat, crab, rat, and weasel. Other hengeyokai may be found, but are more unusual.

Carp
Tiny beast, unaligned
Armor Class: 11
Hit Points: 1 (1d4 - 1)
Speed: 0 ft., swim 30ft.
STR: 1 (- 5)
DEX: 12 (+1)
CON: 8 (-1)
INT: 1 (- 5)
WIS: 10 (+0)
CHA: 2 (-4)

Senses: Passive Perception: 10
Languages: -
Challenge: 0 (0 XP)
Water Breathing: The carp can breathe only underwater

Crane
Medium beast, unaligned
Armor Class: 11
Hit Points: 4 (1d8 + 0)
Speed: 10ft., fly 50 ft.
STR: 7 (- 2)
DEX: 13 (+1)
CON: 10 (+0)
INT: 2 (- 4)
WIS: 12 (+1)
CHA: 4 (-3)

Skills: Perception +3
Senses: Passive Perception: 13
Languages: -
Challenge: 0 (10 XP)

ACTIONS
Beak: Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1 (1d4-1) piercing damage.

Dog
Small beast, unaligned
Armor Class: 12
Hit Points: 5 (1d6 + 2)
Speed: 40ft.
STR: 8 (-1)
DEX: 11 (+0)
CON: 14 (+2)
INT: 3 (-4)
WIS: 12 (+1)
CHA: 6 (- 2)

Skills: Perception: +3
Senses: Passive Perception: 13
Languages: -
Challenge: 0 (10 XP)
Keen Hearing and Smell: The dog has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.

ACTIONS
Bite: Melee Weapon Attack:+ 1 to hit, reach 5 ft. , one target. Hit: 1 (1d4- 1) piercing damage.

Fox
Tiny beast, unaligned
Armor Class: 12
Hit Points: 2 (1d4)
Speed: 40ft., climb 30ft.
STR: 3 (-4)
DEX: 15 (+2)
CON: 10 (+0)
INT: 3 (-4)
WIS: 12 (+1)
CHA: 7 (-2)

Skills: Perception: +3, Stealth: +4
Senses: Passive Perception: 13
Languages: -
Challenge: 0 (10 XP)
Keen Hearing and Smell: The fox has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.

ACTIONS
Bite: Melee Weapon Attack: +0 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1 piercing damage.

Monkey
Tiny beast, unaligned
Armor Class: 12
Hit Points: 2 (1d4)
Speed: 30ft., climb 30ft.
STR: 6 (-2)
DEX: 14 (+2)
CON: 11 (+0)
INT: 6 (-2)
WIS: 12 (+1)
CHA: 6 (-2)

Senses: Passive Perception: 11
Languages: -
Challenge: 0 (10 XP)

ACTIONS
Bite: Melee Weapon Attack: +1 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1 piercing damage.

Rabbit
Tiny beast, unaligned
Armor Class: 13
Hit Points: 1 (1d4- 1)
Speed: 40ft.
STR: 3 (-4)
DEX: 16 (+3)
CON: 8 (-1)
INT: 2 (-4)
WIS: 12 (+1)
CHA: 3 (-4)

Skills: Perception: +3 Stealth: +5
Senses: Passive Perception: 13
Languages: -
Challenge: 0 (10 XP)
Keen Hearing: The rabbit has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing.

ACTIONS
Bite: Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1 piercing damage.

Tanuki
Tiny beast, unaligned
Armor Class: 13
Hit Points: 1 (1d4- 1)
Speed: 40ft.
STR: 3 (-4)
DEX: 16 (+3)
CON: 8 (-1)
INT: 2 (-4)
WIS: 12 (+1)
CHA: 3 (-4)

Skills: Perception: +3, Stealth: +5
Senses: Passive Perception: 13
Languages: -
Challenge: 0 (10 XP)
Keen Hearing and Smell: The tanuki has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.

ACTIONS
Bite: Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1 piercing damage.

Sparrow
Tiny beast, unaligned
Armor Class: 13
Hit Points: 1 (1d4 - 1)
Speed: 10ft., fly 50 ft.
STR: 2 (-4)
DEX: 16 (+3)
CON: 8 (- 1)
INT: 2 (- 4)
WIS: 12 (+1 )
CHA: 6 (-2)

Skills: Perception: +3
Senses: Passive Perception: 13
Languages: -
Challenge: 0 (10 XP)

The Sorcerer (An ACKS Class), second draft

ETA March 22: This is not up to my balance standards. I advise not using this version. I'll get a better one made eventually, I'm sure.

After thinking about it today I decided I wanted to try again and see if I couldn't get my Sorcerer to be a little more... street-legal. To that end I'm gonna give staggered custom powers that should put it in under four build points, as Tavis and Alex intended. Sadly, this means Sensing Power had to go back on the proficiency list... for now. This time around I (mostly) borrowed level titles from the excellent Blood and Treasure (Plus one sneaky Acquisitions, Inc. reference), but I still have no intention of employing them myself.

SORCERER
Prime Requisite: CHA
Requirements: None
Hit Dice: 1d4
Maximum Level: 14

Sorcerers are humans born with an instinctive grasp of magic. Many claim descent from wizards, or even from dragons that assumed human form. For a sorcerer, magic is not a skill that must be studied and refined like a mage does, but an instinctive ability as natural and intuitive as breathing. Some societies are fearful of sorcerers, but others hold them in special reverence. Some suggest that the name "sorcerer" was originally applied as a pun, for they are a natural source of magic.

Sorcerers seldom train in the arts of warfare, preferring instead to rely upon their innate gifts to see them through danger. At first level, sorcerers hit an unarmored foe (AC 0) with an attack throw of 10+. They advance in attack throws and saving throws only two points every six levels of experience (i.e., half as fast as fighters). They may only fight with quarterstaffs, clubs, daggers, and darts. They are unable to use shields, fight with two weapons, or wear any kind of armor.

Sorcerers learn and cast arcane spells as mages of two-thirds their class level. The number and levels of spells the sorcerer can use in a single day is summarized on the Sorcerer Spell Progression table. Like a mage, the Sorcerer’s spell selection is limited to the spells in their repertoire. A sorcerer’s repertoire can include a number of spells up to the number and level of spells listed for their level, increased by their Charisma bonus. Unlike other arcane spellcasters, many sorcerers do without a physical spellbook, although changing their repertoire or learning a new spell still incurs similar costs for research and training. A sorcerer can use any magic items usable by mages.

Each sorcerer also has a unique combination of spell-like abilities, chosen (or randomly determined) as they are attained on the Sorcerer Level Progression Table. A first-level sorcerer may use one first-level spell once per hour. At second level, the sorcerer gains a second first-level spell usable once per hour. At fourth level, the sorcerer gains one second-level spell, usable once every 8 hours. At tenth level, the sorcerer gains one third-level spell, usable once per day. At twelfth level, the sorcerer gains one fourth-level spell, usable once per week. Each of these spells takes one round to cast, and otherwise functions like a normal spell cast by a mage of their class level.

At 7th level, the sorcerer may begin to research spells, scribe magical scrolls, and brew potions, as if they were a mage of 5th level. Upon reaching 13th level, the sorcerer gains the ability to create magic items such as weapons, rings, and staffs as a mage of 9th level. They may also cast ritual spells and conduct other magical research as a mage of 11th level.

A sorcerer may also build a sanctum, often a great tower, when he reaches 9th level. They will then attract 1d6 apprentices of 1st-3rd level plus 2d6 normal men seeking to become mages or with the potential to become sorcerers. Their intelligence or charisma scores will be above average, but many will become discouraged from the rigorous mental training and quit after 1d6 months. While in the sorcerer’s service, apprentices must be provided food and lodging, but need not be paid wages. If the sorcerer builds a dungeon beneath or near their tower, monsters will start to arrive to dwell within, followed shortly by adventurers seeking to fight them.

Sorcerer Proficiency List: Alchemy, Battle Magic, Beast Friendship, Black Lore of Zahar, Collegiate Wizardry, Contemplation, Craft, Diplomacy, Elementalism, Elven Bloodline, Engineering, Familiar, Healing, Illusion Resistance, Knowledge, Language, Magical Engineering, Mapping, Mystic Aura, Naturalism, Quiet Magic, Performance, Prestidigitation, Profession, Sensing Power, Transmogrification, Soothsaying, Unflappable Casting

Sorcerer level progression					Sorcerer Spell progression
Experience	Level	Hit Dice	Level Title	Special Abilities	1	2	3	4	5
0	1	1d4	Prodigy	1st level spell 1/hour	1	-	-	-	-
2075	2	2d4	Curiosity	1st level spell 1/hour	1	-	-	-	-
4150	3	3d4	Freak	-	2	-	-	-	-
8300	4	4d4	Spectacle	2nd level spell 1/8 hours	2	1	-	-	-
16,600	5	5d4	Whiz	-	2	1	-	-	-
33,200	6	6d4	Wonder	-	2	2	-	-	-
65,000	7	7d4	Phenomenon	-	2	2	1	-	-
130,000	8	8d4	Witchalok	-	2	2	1	-	-
280,000	9	9d4	Sorcerer	-	2	2	2	-	-
430,000	10	9d4+1	Sorcerer	3rd level spell 1/day	3	2	2	1	-
580,000	11	9d4+2	Sorcerer	-	3	2	2	1	-
730,000	12	9d4+3	Sorcerer	4th level spell 1/week	3	3	2	2	-
880,000	13	9d4+4	Sorcerer	-	3	3	3	2	1
1,030,000	14	9d4+5	Sorcerer	-	3	3	3	2	1

The Sorcerer (An ACKS Class), first draft

I am perfectly aware that this technically breaks the ACKS custom class rules-- if it were broken down it would be worth 5 points and some change (Arcane 3, Thievery 2, and one extra custom power) but the final XP base is below that of the mage (though I have rounded it up to equal the mage to make everything neat and head off the balance concerns a little.)

The idea came to me last night when I happened to look at the gnome trickster class-- previous attempts at the sorcerer were very bloodline-focused, but this time I eschewed that in favor of making them naturally-gifted with arcane magic.

No level titles were provided because I don't much care for them.

This is very much a work in progress, so I'd definitely like to hear ideas on how it might be cleaned up.

SORCERER
Prime Requisite: CHA
Requirements: None
Hit Dice: 1d4
Maximum Level: 14

Sorcerers are humans born with an instinctive grasp of magic. Many claim descent from wizards, or even from dragons that assumed human form. For a sorcerer, magic is not a skill that must be studied and refined like a mage does, but an instinctive ability as natural and intuitive as breathing. Some societies are fearful of sorcerers, but others hold them in special reverence. Some suggest that the name "sorcerer" was originally applied as a pun, for they are a natural source of magic.

Sorcerers seldom train in the arts of warfare, preferring instead to rely upon their innate gifts to see them through danger. At first level, sorcerers hit an unarmored foe (AC 0) with an attack throw of 10+. They advance in attack throws and saving throws only two points every six levels of experience (i.e., half as fast as fighters). They may only fight with quarterstaffs, clubs, daggers, and darts. They are unable to use shields, fight with two weapons, or wear any kind of armor.

A sorcerer is so attuned to magic that they may sense power, as the proficiency of the same name. Each sorcerer also has a unique combination of spell-like abilities, chosen (or randomly determined) at the time of their creation. Once per hour, a sorcerer may use two first-level arcane spells. Once per 8 hours, they can cast two second-level arcane spells. Once per day they can cast one third-level arcane spell. Each of these spells takes one round to cast, and otherwise functions like a normal spell cast by a mage of his class level.

Sorcerers learn and cast arcane spells as mages of two-thirds their class level. The number and levels of spells the sorcerer can use in a single day is summarized on the Sorcerer Spell Progression table. Like a mage, the Sorcerer’s spell selection is limited to the spells in their repertoire. A sorcerer’s repertoire can include a number of spells up to the number and level of spells listed for their level, increased by their Charisma bonus. Unlike other arcane spellcasters, many sorcerers do without a physical spellbook, although changing their repertoire or learning a new spell still incurs similar costs for research and training. A sorcerer can use any magic items usable by mages.

At 7th level, the sorcerer may begin to research spells, scribe magical scrolls, and brew potions, as if he were a mage of 5th level. Upon reaching 13th level, the sorcerer gains the ability to create magic items such as weapons, rings, and staffs as a mage of 9th level. They may also cast ritual spells and conduct other magical research as a mage of 11th level.

A sorcerer may also build a sanctum, often a great tower, when he reaches 9th level. He will then attract 1d6 apprentices of 1st-3rd level plus 2d6 normal men seeking to become mages or with the potential to become sorcerers. Their intelligence or charisma scores will be above average, but many will become discouraged from the rigorous mental training and quit after 1d6 months. While in the sorcerer’s service, apprentices must be provided food and lodging, but need not be paid wages. If the sorcerer builds a dungeon beneath or near his tower, monsters will start to arrive to dwell within, followed shortly by adventurers seeking to fight them.

Sorcerer Proficiency List: Alchemy, Apostasy, Battle Magic, Beast Friendship, Black Lore of Zahar, Collegiate Wizardry, Contemplation, Craft, Diplomacy, Elementalism, Elven Bloodline, Engineering, Familiar, Healing, Illusion Resistance, Knowledge, Language, Magical Engineering, Mapping, Mystic Aura, Naturalism, Quiet Magic, Performance, Prestidigitation, Profession, Transmogrification, Soothsaying, Unflappable Casting

Sorcerer level progression			Sorcerer Spell progression
Experience	Level	Hit Dice	1	2	3	4	5
0	1	1d4	1	-	-	-	-
2500	2	2d4	1	-	-	-	-
5000	3	3d4	2	-	-	-	-
10,000	4	4d4	2	1	-	-	-
20,000	5	5d4	2	1	-	-	-
40,000	6	6d4	2	2	-	-	-
80,000	7	7d4	2	2	1	-	-
160,000	8	8d4	2	2	1	-	-
310,000	9	9d4	2	2	2	-	-
460,000	10	9d4+1	3	2	2	1	-
610,000	11	9d4+2	3	2	2	1	-
760,000	12	9d4+3	3	3	2	2	-
910,000	13	9d4+4	3	3	3	2	1
1,060,000	14	9d4+5	3	3	3	2	1