Homebrew Awakened Cat Species Details

Magic of Awakening

There are various ways for an animal to acquire humanoid-like intelligence, the most well-known among them being the awaken spell. While such methods usually only raise the animal's mental capacity to the level that it can speak and think like a humanoid, a rarer form of awakening exists that can imbue an animal with greater potential, up to the point that it can live a fully autonomous life, potentially adopting a profession or becoming an adventurer, and sometimes even learning magic. The key to the complex ritual that creates such an awakened animal is a gem called a soulstone, which inseparably fuses with the animal's body and forever alters it physically and mentally.

As an awakened cat, you have the following racial traits.

Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity and Wisdom scores each increase by 2.

Age. Awakened cats have no longer lifespans than any normal cat, unless their lives are magically extended, and can live up to twenty years.

Alignment. Awakened cats tend to be neutral in their outlook on life, although life experiences and their heightened intellect might cause them to have a different opinion on matters.

Creature Type. You are a Beast.

Size. You are Small.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 35 feet. You also have a climbing speed of 20 feet.

Quadruped Frame. While not wearing armor, your Armor Class is equal to 11 + your Dexterity modifier. Due to your unusual body shape, armor costs twice as much as normal to be made for you.

Soulstone. As an awakened cat, you were created and are sustained in part by a magic gem called a soulstone, which is embedded somewhere in your body, and grants you your intelligence and some magical capability. While your ability to perform activities that would normally require hands is limited by your paws, the magic of your soulstone helps you make up for this: you know the mage hand spell, and can cast it without components. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for this spell (choose when you select this race). For you, it has the following special properties:

• You can cast the spell as a bonus action.
• The spell lasts until dispelled, unless you fall unconscious, use your action to end the spell, or cast the spell again.
• While the hand remains within 5 feet of you, you can control it without using your action.
• While the hand is in your space, you can use it to wield a one-handed weapon and to activate magic items.

Darkvision. Accustomed to back alleys and small crevices, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. 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.

Cat's Talents. You have proficiency in the Perception and Stealth skills.

Feline Grace. When you take damage from a fall, you can use your reaction to reduce that damage to 0. Once you have used this trait, you can't do so again until you finish a long rest.

Kitty Claws. Your claws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. You add your Dexterity modifier, instead of your Strength modifier, to the attack and damage rolls when you attack with them. They deal 1d4 slashing damage on a hit, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for unarmed strikes.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common. You also have the ability to comprehend and verbally communicate with other felines.

Awakened Cat Traits

Awakened Cat Traits

Quadruped Frame

While not wearing armor, your Armor Class is equal to 11 + your Dexterity modifier. Due to your unusual body shape, armor costs twice as much as normal to be made for you.

Soulstone

As an awakened cat, you were created and are sustained in part by a magic gem called a soulstone, which is embedded somewhere in your body, and grants you your intelligence and some magical capability. While your ability to perform activities that would normally require hands is limited by your paws, the magic of your soulstone helps you make up for this: you know the mage hand spell, and can cast it without components. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for this spell (choose when you select this race). For you, it has the following special properties:

• You can cast the spell as a bonus action.
• The spell lasts until dispelled, unless you fall unconscious, use your action to end the spell, or cast the spell again.
• While the hand remains within 5 feet of you, you can control it without using your action.
• While the hand is in your space, you can use it to wield a one-handed weapon and to activate magic items.

Darkvision

Accustomed to back alleys and small crevices, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. 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.

Cat's Talents

You have proficiency in the Perception and Stealth skills.

Feline Grace

When you take damage from a fall, you can use your reaction to reduce that damage to 0. Once you have used this trait, you can't do so again until you finish a long rest.

Kitty Claws

Your claws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. You add your Dexterity modifier, instead of your Strength modifier, to the attack and damage rolls when you attack with them. They deal 1d4 slashing damage on a hit, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for unarmed strikes.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common. You also have the ability to comprehend and verbally communicate with other felines.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity and Wisdom scores each increase by 2.