Leonin Variant (5e Race)

Leonin Variant

The leonin guard the shining lands of Oreskos, a golden plain where even the gods rarely trespass. Prides of these nomadic, lion-like humanoids rarely interact with other peoples, having all they need in their shimmering homeland and knowing the treachery of strangers. Still, some leonin wonder what lies beyond Oreskos’s border mountains and seek to test themselves in a wider world.

Physical Description

Unlike tabaxi that get a generic “cat” description to work from, Leonin are very definitively lions. Leonin are muscular, covered in fur, stand 6 to 7 feet tall, have feline tails, and their heads look damn near identical to those of lions. I’m afraid to say this doesn’t give a whole lot of wiggle room beyond “lion man” as a description. You can play around with their fur color to an extent, mostly they have the tawny or golden fur, and rarely they have dark brown, black, or even white fur. You can also shift the color for the mane (for male Leonin anyway).

History

Leonin prides are close-knit communities within Theros, isolated in their “blasphemy”. Unlike every other civilization on Theros the Leonin have rejected the gods. They don’t deny their existence (it’s quite difficult to ignore the deities when their titanic forms stroll past) but rather they denounce them as unworthy of worship. While there is an odd devout Leonin (usually to Nylea or Heliod) most regard them at best as a nuisance and at worst as the cause for all mortal woes. Leonin are prideful and self-reliant, and most have no need of gods to coddle them. In the ancient past they served the archons (a service that still leaves a bitter taste among the other races) and they do not intend to make the same mistake twice.

Society

Leonin have a matriarchal society, and each pride is led by an elder female called a “speaker”. Most female Leonin will stay within the pride they were born into, while the males will wander and marry into other prides. Most Leonin live among the plains of Oreskos, an area of great golden fields and savannas nestled in between the foothills of the Katachthon and the Oraniad Mountains. Most prides live in either tent villages or dens dug into the foothills. While this may sound primitive, the Leonin are no savages and their homes are often decorated with woven textiles, bone sculpture, and intricate pottery.

Leonin Names

Each Leonin has a personal name followed by the name of their pride and usually includes the preposition “of the”. For example, a member of the Ironmane pride named Doxia would introduce herself as “Doxia of the Ironmane”.

Male: Apto, Athoz, Baragon, Bryguz, Eremoz, Gorioz, Grexes, Oriz, Pyxathor, Teoz, Xemnon, Xior

Female: Aletha, Atagone, Demne, Doxia, Ecate, Eriz, Gragonde, Iadma, Koila, Oramne, Seza, Ziore

Leonin Variant Traits

Prideful and Ferocious beasts who are excellent trackers, nothing escapes your clutches.
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1.
Age. Leonin mature and age at about the same rate as humans.
Alignment. Leonin tend toward good alignments. Leonin who are focused on the pride lean toward lawful good.
Size. Leonin are typically over 6 feet tall, with some standing over 7 feet. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 35 feet.
Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Claws. Your claws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you can deal slashing damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier. Additionally, you have advantage on grappling.
Hunter's Instincts. You have proficiency in two of the following skills of your choice: Athletics, Intimidation, Perception, or Survival. Additionally, you have advantage on saving throws against frightened condition.
Daunting Roar. As a bonus action, you can let out an especially menacing roar. Creatures of your choice within 20 feet of you that can hear you must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or become frightened of you until the end of your next turn. The DC of the save equals 10 + your proficiency bonus + your Constitution modifier. Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.
Apex Senses. You gain advantage on Investigation and Perception checks due to your sharpened senses of apex.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Leonin.

5.00

(2 votes)

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