Catfolk (5e Race)
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Appearance
The appearance of Catfolk vary even greater than humans, with their size ranging from just three feet, all the way up to eight. They are almost always covered in a coat of fur, from short to long, thin to thick, though hairless variations are not unheard of. They have the bone structure of a cats, but are bipedal, though small catfolk are comfortable switching back and forth to quadrupedal. They have retractable claws in their hands and feet, and are feline in appearance. Their markings are also innumerable, with the most common being wild cats, such as lions, tigers, cheetahs, leopards, and lynxes. Another common variety are typical housecat patterns, such as the simple tabby, ranging from any color to any pattern typical of a standard Tabby house cat. Their sizes generally correspond to their ancestry, with Lions and Tigers generally being quite large, and Tabbies and Lynxes being quite a bit smaller, though the reverse, with large tabbies and small lions and are not uncommon.
Children of Curiousity
Catfolk were created by Xalyn, a goddess of knowledge who takes the form of a cat. She delights in mortals’ pursuit of knowledge, and desired to be the mother of her own race of truth-seekers. When other gods suggested that she simply give a blessing to a scholarly race like the elves, Xalyn replied “But I didn’t make them!”
And so, a clowder of cats chosen by the knowledge goddess was awakened and transformed into bipedal race of creatures with a hunger for travel and enlightenment. Through the tribe’s travels, catfolk learned about the other races, and began to disperse themselves among them in order to learn more. Catfolk became well-known for being quick learners, devoted workers, and loyal companions.
Diverse Heritage
It is said that the first tribe of catfolk bore the most resemblance to their parent species. Thick coats of fur covered their bodies, and their legs were reminiscent of haunches. Through intermingling with other races, these traits have been widely dispersed over thousands of years.
Some catfolk retain most of their original features, with a layer of fur covering most of their bodies and faces that remain largely feline. Other catfolk have developed more humanoid appearances. These specimens tend to have straight, silky hair, slim frames, and slanted eyes, while bearing the ears and tail that mark them as catfolk.
Caravans and Camps
Though catfolk love to interact with other races and can be perfectly happy living in smaller groups, many catfolk organize themselves into roaming bands that travel the lands in search of new experiences. This lifestyle makes them good company for merchants and adventurers, especially since the catfolk welcome others into their numbers.
Some catfolk clans find that enlightment will come to them, if the right spot is chosen. These clans make camp where travelers of all kinds are likely to pass by, and end up forming stable settlements. While most of these settlements tend to be no larger than a small village, a few bustling cities are known to have grown from humble catfolk camps.
Carefree and Kind
Catfolk are very accepting of other people. They take every opportunity to try and understand the world around them, even if that sometimes ends up getting them hurt. Because the Feline language lends itself well to music, many tribes teach their young about the race’s history through song and dance. This informative entertainment tends to pique the interest of outsiders, leading to the inspiration of many a catfolk bard.
When spending time in the company of other races, catfolk make themselves useful as minstrels, scholars, and healers. Some catfolk hone their natural grace to become circus performers, and others practice precision in order to make a living as a locksmith. Stronger specimens prefer to work as guards, but some have been known to be very successful farmers. No matter the task, for better or worse, catfolk approach life with confidence, believing that even failure is an opportunity to learn and improve.
History
Catfolk descended from felines thousands of years ago, only just older than humans. Catfolk are Tribal people, whose passion and love run deep. They form tribes around the world, often in harsh climates, ranging from deep in the rain forests, to scorching savannahs, all the way to freezing arctic regions, but are far more common around forest edges. Like Elves, Catfolk are attuned to nature, respect it, and defend it against those who would do it harm.
With no large settlements and a tribe style government structure, they have little to do with the outside world and their schemes. They pass their history as an oral history.
Society
Catfolk are a nomadic race, often traveling from tribe to tribe to experience different cultures. Catfolk get along with most other races, and is quite common to find Catfolk integrated into other societies, especially human, elves, and halflings. It is less common to find them with Orcs and Dwarves, but it not unheard of due to the variety of Catfolk personalities.
They have a tribe hierarchy. Chief>Scouts>Druids> Rest of Tribe. They are a deeply spiritual people usually a god of nature. Catfolk as a race get along with just about every other race. Their sense of curiosity is what compels them to seek adventure. Some that experience that wanderlust find the sound of battle to be exciting and draws them deeper into the life of adventuring.
Names
For catfolk, names are not an expression of heritage or a summary of accomplishment. Names are used to express each catfolk’s individuality. Because of this, it is believed that no two catfolk have the same name.
Each catfolk is given a name at birth, in Feline. These given names are not indicative of gender, and are constructed largely of vowels, with consonants used somewhat sparingly. Most given names, when spoken, sound vaguely like cat’s cries.
Later in each catfolk’s life, he or she might adopt a nickname that is easier to pronounce for the benefit of races who don’t speak Feline. Sometimes, this nickname is based on appearance or behavior. On other occasions, a catfolk might adopt a name from another culture, just as the humans often do.
Given Names:
Gender-neutral - Aeroun, Behaou, Caarreia, Heeze, Mioi, Naeaftas, Raaol, Yourau
Male - Kova, Trok, Ovarr, Rorran, Mur, Densharr, Mersharr, Nermissar, Therrass
Female - Suu, Korra, Mrran, Rorran, Dessirris, Mianissa, Morasha, Nera, Thessana
Clan Names:
Flying Eagle, Hunting Tiger, Running Brook, Screaming Arrow.
Catfolk names vary as much as the race, and is not uncommon to be taken from other race names. Catfolk usually prefer names with T, M, R, U, O and A's often with Males ending in hard letters, and Females in softer letters, but is common for a name to be used for both sexes.
Catfolk Traits
A race of Cat people, with as many variations as there are colors.
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Age. Catfolk reach adulthood in their teens, and can live up to three centuries.
Alignment. Catfolk tend toward chaotic alignments.
Size. Catfolk normally stand at around five and a half feet tall and weigh around 120 pounds. Large-Breed Catfolk are more physically imposing, at about six and a half feet tall and about 200 pounds. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Low-Light Vision. As a nocturnal race, you have superior vision in dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light.
Cat's Claws. Because of your claws, you have a climbing speed of 20 ft. Additionally, your claws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. The damage die for your unarmed strike is a d4, and it deals slashing damage instead of bludgeoning damage.
Catlike Reflexes. You may add half your proficiency bonus, rounded down, to your initiative rolls.
Feline Empathy. You can communicate simple ideas with feline creatures, such as cats, lions, and tigers.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common.
Subrace. You are a member of one of a few distinct breeds of catfolk: ordinary-breed, large-breed, or mystic-breed. Choose one of these subraces.
Ordinary-Breed Catfolk
Lanky and lean catfolk that resemble ordinary cats.
Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 2.
Catlike Tread. You are proficient in the Stealth skill.
Fleet of Foot. Your movement speed increases to 35 feet.
Nine Lives. You have resistance to damage taken from falling.
Large-Breed Catfolk
Large, strong catfolk that resemble lions, tigers, and other large cats.
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 2.
Big Cat's Claws. The damage die for your unarmed strikes increases to a d6.
Catlike Tread. You are proficient in the Stealth skill.
Powerful Build. You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.
Mystic-Breed Catfolk
Mysterious, usually black-haired catfolk with an affinity for the arcane.
Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score increases by 2.
Cat's Mysticism. You know one cantrip of your choice from the wizard spell list, and can cast it at will. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for this cantrip.
Student of Magic. You are proficient in the Arcana skill.
Extra Language. You can speak, read, and write one language of your choice.
Random Height and Weight
| Base Height | Height Modifier | Base Weight | Weight Modifier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4′5″ | +2d10 | 100 lb. | × (2d4) lb. |
| Base Height | Height Modifier | Base Weight | Weight Modifier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5′4″ | +2d8 | 170 lb. | × (2d6) lb. |
| Base Height | Height Modifier | Base Weight | Weight Modifier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4'5″ | +2d10 | 90 lb. | × (2d4) lb. |
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