5E Compatible, From Hit Point Press
I first spotted the Humblewood Campaign setting in an online RPG group and when I saw it in the ink at Gencon I knew I had to have a copy. A unique setting that can be integrated into most D&D adventures it focuses on the “little folk” of the forests, namely anthromorphic animal species. While WOTC already includes some species [Aarakocra (birds), Harengon (rabbits), Kenku (ravens), Triton (fish), Owlin (owls), Tabaxi (cats), Tortles (turtles), Grung (frog), Lizardfolk, Khenra (hyena), Giff (hippos), Luxodon (elephants), and Leonin (lions)], Humblewood adds in new species that offer more flexibility in animal folk play.
Humblewood adds ten new races, divided into the Birdfolk and the Humblefolk. The Birdfolk include individual stat block for Luma (doves and pigeons), Corvum (corvids), Raptor , (birds of prey) Gallus (pheasants, grouse, chickens and turkeys), and Strig (owls). Humblefolk includes Vulpin (foxes), Mapach (racoons), Jerbeen (mice), Hedge (hedgehogs) and Cervan (deer). The art alone is worth looking into this book. A Rooster bard and the dove cleric and the Owl druid are my favorites.
I also really like the new classes offered. Bard of the Road and Cleric of Community both fit the theme well and I think they are sorely needed in the 5e settings. The Fighter Archetype Scofflaw reminds me of another supplement I’ve enjoyed The Pugilist from Sterling Vermin.
Humblewood also offers new Backgrounds, Feats, Spells, a Religion (and thus new paths for clerics to take) that fit animalkin themes and ideals a lot better than the generic ones offered by the core rules. It makes perfect sense to me the that prey and predators as well as pack animals and solo would find ways to develop completely different cultures.
Lastly it offers a nice beginner campaign that starts with the woods and exploring and investigating it and could easily launch these rarer species into more mainstream games. Like all great supplements, it also gets my creative juices going, inspiring lots of in woods, non-human centric game ideas. The book is lovely and very well done, with a whole lot to offer. I highly recommend it, particularly toward community groups that may want to offer a wide variety of fantasy situations and those with tighter pockets who need a lot of content for their buck. This book has that.