Homebrew Awakened Cat Species Details
Gifted (though others would claim cursed) with consciousness via magic in the form of an intelligence equal to that of an average human, the awakened cat walks a narrow path between two worlds. They are forever removed from their animalistic life but are still driven by many of their old instincts and experiences. An awakened cat would think nothing of consuming the meat of a fallen foe. They have little need or want for most possessions, though all tend to have a few special items they guard fercely. They have a tendency toward solitude but will happily join in with a party for warmth, shelter, and easy meals. The promise of a warm lap and generous scratching behind the ears is good incentive as well. Plus, they tend to enjoy surprising people (especially children) by speaking when their counterparts assume they can't.
Awakened Cat Traits
Awakened Cats are a smart and self-possessed race, having a large number of attributes that make them unique compared to other humanoid races.Ability Score Increase
Increase your Dexterity score by 2 and your Wisdom score by 1.
Size
Awakened cats are Tiny size and can grow up to twenty inches long. As Tiny creatures, Awakened Cats have the following additional rules:
- As a Tiny creature, halve your carry capacity and push/drag/lift weight.
- You can move through a creature's space for free if it's two sizes larger than you.
- You cannot grapple a creature that is two sizes or more larger than you.
Quadreped Frame
While not wearing armor, your Armor Class is equal to 11 + your character's Dexterity modifier. Additionally, armor costs double to be made for you, due to your unusual body shape.
Creatures of Magic
An awakened cat is a being created and sustained in part by a magic gem called a soulstone. Any effect that suppresses magic returns an awakened cat to her former animalistic state and temporarily strips away their conscious thought. This can be averted with a successful Charisma saving throw of DC 10 + the spell slot's level used to remove the awakened cat's intellect. Should they leave the area of effect or its duration expire, they awaken with no memory of the time while under the antimagic’s infuence. Additionally, due to the magic of the soulstone, an awakened cat can use Mage Hand as per the spell, with the following effects:
- You may use this spell to perform finer functions that normally require hands, such as lifting a mug and taking a drink and writing a letter.
- You also may use Mage Hand to wield a one-handed weapon. However, you cannot use this ability to extend the range of your weapon attack beyond five feet of your person. Additionally, an awakened cat cannot use any item with this ability weighing over 10 pounds + the awakened cat's Charisma score.
Darkvision
Darkvision out to 60 feet.
Feline Grace
Awakened cats have proficiency in the Acrobatics Skill.
Nine Lives
As a reaction, an awakened cat can negate all damage from a fall. This ability can only be used once before requiring a long rest.
Languages
An awakened cat can speak, read, and write Common. Additionally, awakened cats can communicate with other felines in their own language, as if under a continuous speak with animals spell.
Magic of the Feline
Awakened cats all look like normal housecats. However, each awakened cat has a gem hidden somewhere on their furry bodies that holds their life force and keeps them from becoming a regular cat. If this gem is destroyed, they become a normal cat and lose any and all abilities they may have had when they were sentinent. If this gem is reconstructed in any way, such as by the mending cantrip, the cat will regain all of the abilities it lost.
Awakened Cat Names
Awakened cat names generally follow the same naming pattern of the Tabaxi from Volo's Guide to Monsters.
Fur and Claw
Awakened cats deal slashing damage instead of bludegeoning damage when they score a hit using an unarmed strike.
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