Homebrew Werecat Species Details

The shop was quiet, random items were strewn about the selves that covered the walls. Eragon reached for a strange rod laying against the wall. From the cupboard behind the store's counter, a pair of yellow eyes flashed in a dark shelf.

"I wouldn't do that." Came a voice to Eragon.

"Saphira leave me alone." Eragon insisted, thinking the voice was from his dragon who was far away.

Eragon reached for the rod, and violent tendrils of electricity rand his length sending him to the floor. From the dark shelf, a cat jumped, landing on Eragon.

"I told you." Said the cat.

"That was you?" Wondered Eragon staring at the cat.

"Of course." Replied the cat, who Eragon now realized was a werecat. "Who else?"

— An account of Eragon Shadeslayer's first time meeting Solembum the werecat

During the Riders' years of glory, werecats were as renowned as the dragons. Kings and elves kept them as companions - yet the werecats were free to do whatever they chose. Very little has ever been known about them. They are a rare race and do not often reveal themselves, certainly not after the fall. In accounts of history, they always seemed to know what was going on and somehow or another managed to get themselves involved.

Of two forms

Werecats have two forms as their name would imply, werecats can take many varieties in both their cat and human forms. There is no typical werecat. A werecat in human from can stand from 5 feet to a little over 6 feet tall. In their cat forms, they vary from under 2 feet to over 3.  Werecat human forms vary greatly in skin shades ranging from nearly black to very pale, and hair colors from black to blond and somewhere cats have been known to have bright silver or even crimson hair. Werecats sometimes follow human styles to blend in so werecats will dress appropriately to their region. Werecats are always found where things are happening, so they often accompany people of importance during time of war, but when peace pervades the land, they prefer to stay in cat form. From a distance they appear normal cats, but sometimes they boast strange fur colors and eyes.

 

Ancient and strange race

Werecat's scarcely mingle with other races, though they make careful observations when they do. They do far more observing than speaking in most instances, unless they feel their opinion is important, then they will gladly share, with the right person.

Dwarves. “They move slow, not so slow as the elves but slower than humans, while they have accomplished much, they have diminished since the fall, but their dens are full of treasures of all kinds, sparkly things they are.”

Elves. “Many a great party has been had in elven halls in cheerier times we werecats walked amongst them freely, dream-dancer still sleeps in their leafy halls. Elves are good company provided you understand them well enough.”

Humans "Some of the most influential leaders have been humans. On the whole they are good folk, though some of them are power hungry. Some of their kin caused the fall. They are a young race but may yet be a powerful one."

Halflings. “We werecats have met very few halflings, they've only come in recent years. They seem like dwarves but less important. Good folk, but they will not likely accomplish much in this land."

An Empty Thrown

Despite appearing small, they were cats have a larger race than it would appear, but no one is in charge of it. For the most part, werecats do as they please and live on their own. Not out of xenophobia, but because they are simply solitary creatures, sometimes they will have a partner or children, but soon as they grow old enough the children leave, it's very rare to find a large group of werecats.

Although uncommon, sometimes, in time of war, the werecats will assemble, and a single werecat will be chosen "King" or "Queen" to lead them during this time. This individual gives orders only until war ends, and then again, the werecats go their own way and that individual loses their power over them. No werecat really seeks to rule, btu simply accepts the responsibility when it is given.

Shapers of the World

Werecats always seemed to know what was happening in the world, and always inserted themselves into the matter. Often this was by advising a powerful ruler, but some werecats do so by taking matters into their own hands and adventuring.

Werecat Names and Titles

Similar to humans werecats have to typical names. Werecats often acquire several names, the name that serves as their first name, these can be names from human, dwarf, elf, or even dragon cultures. Then werecats have many more "titles" and "descriptors" these are often a combination of words describing things they did or some of their characteristics. Werecat titles and descriptors often relate to a werecats positions or accomplishments. The average werecat has about 3 or 4 titles/descriptors.

Werecat First Names: Grimrr, Maud, Trabea
Werecat Title Names: Half-paw, Shadow-hunter, the watcher, Quick-paw

-Disclaimer! This is not mine, but rather this is the creation of reddit user Silas-Alec. I felt like sharing this because it is an amazing creation. Once again, not mine, but the creation of reddit user Silas-Alec.

 

Werecat Traits

Werecats do have some traits across the board, them being results of their feline aspects.

Darkvision

Darkvision: You can see in dim light within 60ft of you as if iit were bright light, and darkness as if it were dim light, you can’t discern colors in darkness, only shades of gray. 

Natural weapon

Your bite is a natural weapon, dealing 1d6 + Strength or Dex piercing damage on a hit. This attack is considered to be light and finesse.

Shapechange

As an action, you can change your appearance to a specific human form of the same gender, which cannot be altered. You gain a +10 bonus on disguise checks to appear human. You can remain in this form indefinitely, or until you use this ability to change back. While in your human form, you cannot use your bite attack, but while in your cat form you cannot wield weapons. You revert to your cat form if you die.

Presence

Werecats are known to provide cryptic prophecies. You can gain flashes of the future at the GM’s discretion. Additionally, during initiative rolls, you can chose to either take an immediate move action before initiative begins, or gain advantage on your initiative roll.

Ability Score Increase

+2 to Intelligence, and +1 to either Wisdom or Charisma.

Age

Werecats are considered adults in their early teens. No one is sure how long their lifespans are, they could be immortal (dying only if killed) or they may have very long lives but not immortality. The only werecats that are known to be dead are those who died during the fighting following the fall.

Size

Werecats in their cat form are of the small size, in human form they vary from a little under 5 feet to a bit over 6.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Languages

Werecats speak, read, and write Common, and can speak to cats as though constantly under the effects of speak with Animals, affecting only cats.