Homebrew Catfolk Race Details

A strange race very closely resembling average domestic felines, though with the capability of speech, and natural two-legged movement. These adaptations give them slightly more proportional limbs while standing, enabling the use of weapons, though they still convincingly appear as average felines when on all fours due to what scholars might call 'feline fluidity'.

Catfolk Traits

Your catfolk character has the following racial traits.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Age

Catfolk have an extended lifespan in comparison to domestic cats, averaging lifespans similar to those of humans.

Alignment

Catfolk tend toward chaotic alignments, as they let impulse and fancy guide their decisions. It is uncommon for them to be evil, as they are mostly driven by curiosity and passion. Some exhibit a level of greed, but such behavior is looked down upon in their societies.

Size

Catfolk are similar in resemblance to a domestic cat. Your size is Small.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

You have a cat’s keen senses, especially in the dark. 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.

Armor Restriction: Catcraft

Armor worn by catfolk needs to be specially tailored to fit them, either by a seasoned catfolk crafter, or another race under the instruction of a catfolk with proficiency in leatherworking or smithing, depending on the kind of armor.

You can only equip armor that bears the label 'Catcraft' (ex: Catcraft Studded Leather Armor).

Cat's Finesse

You may choose one of a handful of special talents that come easily to catfolk.

  • Feline Nimbleness - Your small stature and nimble nature allow you to move through the space of any creature that is of a size larger than yours.
  • Feline Agility - Your reflexes and agility allow you to move with a burst of speed. When you move on your turn in combat, you can double your speed until the end of the turn. Once you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you move 0 feet on one of your turns.
  • Evasive Prowess - Your innate slyness enables you to take the Disengage or Hide action as a bonus action on each of your turns.
  • Stunning Appeal - You gain the ability to flop cutely against the ground as an action once per day. Upon doing so you become prone. All humanoids in a 30ft radius which can see you must make a wisdom saving throw, and do so with advantage if hostile to you. Upon a failed saving throw the targets become Stunned for 1 minute or until attacked.
  • Natural Acrobat - Your natural feline talents grant you proficiency in Acrobatics
  • Natural Hunter - Your natural feline talents grant you proficiency in Investigation

Cat's Claws

Because of your claws, you have a climbing speed of 20 feet. In addition, your claws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Cat's Talent

You have proficiency in the Perception and Stealth skills.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language of your choice. Additionally you are capable of innately communicating with other felines, such as domestic cats, wildcats, and big cats.