Homebrew Child of Bast Species Details

Small but Mighty

The Children of Bast are born and grow up as especially intelligent cats.  Their breed is often indeterminate, and can be any breed that the player would prefer.  The Children are natural shapeshifters and are able to shift back and forth from their catform to the form of a small children of 6 to 8 years old.  In both forms their eyes are the same, which can be a bit disconcerting from a childlike face.  The Children don't mind scaring people, though they try to avoid causing a stir if it will make their lives unduly difficult.

They survive in a world of larger and stronger beings by being smarter and craftier then others.  They avoid conflict when they can, but are quite capable of great ferocity when they need to.

Their fur can be nearly any color or pattern imaginable, tending towards white, black, brown and orange.  Eyes are often brilliant blue, green, gold or amber.  Patterns tend towards solid colors, brindle coats, patches, stripes and spots.

It is up to the player and DM to decide what happens to equipment when the Child Shapeshifts.  Like with a Druid's Wildform, the equipment can meld with their catform, it can fall to the ground, or it can be worn if appropriate.

As an additional option, the Child of Bast can have access to a small dimensional pocket, large enough to carry a few items equally no more than 50 lbs.  Enough to carry armor, weapons and some basic tools and equipment.

Curiosity drives us

"Curiosity has never killed anything but time."  A little known saying of cats everywhere.  If there is a dark hole, a shiny treasure, or an interesting smell the Child of Bast has to get a closer look at it.  Whether give a sniff, stick their head into the hole or sneak past those guarding orcs to get to the treasure, the Child will do it.  This might get their companions in trouble once in a while, but this only occasionally gives them pause.

The Children do care for the people they hold closest to them.  They don't always show it and often prefer to be on their own, but they will bring small gifts from their travels and will sit on the shoulder or lap of their friend and allow them to pet their soft fur.

Blend into the Crowd

Cats and children are everywhere.  As long as no one looks to closely at their eyes most people will overlook a Child of Bast.

The Children of Bast are aloof and indifferent to the trials of most people.  It takes time and patience to gain their interest and their trust.  If someone were to gain their trust they would find the Children to be immensely loyal and caring.

Edge of the Community

The Children can be found anywhere, often blending into the community as common cats or orphanages as small children.  They are careful about trusting people and prefer to come and go as they please.

Nomadic by nature, they almost never settle into a single community for very long.

Exploring Opportunities

The Children of Bast are driven to adventure for a variety of reasons.  Whether to protect their friends or simply for the joy of discovery.  Curiosity gets them out the door and keeps them out in the world.  

 

Child of Bast Traits

Your child of bast character has a number of traits common with many cats. These traits are available in both their forms.

Darkvision

Cats can naturally see in dark places to help them hunt and hide.  The child can see in darkness at 60 feet.

Skills

Cats are naturally proficient in Stealth and Perception.

Shapeshift

The Child of Bast can transform from the shape of cat to that of a fae-like child and back.  This is a natural ability and requires a bonus action to complete.  While in cat form the Child can speak normally but is unable to cast spells that require somatic components, but can cast spells with solely verbal components.  (As an optional rule, the DM can rule whether certain somatic components can be completed by the Child of Bast.  For Example the cat could make a gesture with its tail to cast a spell such as "Gust".)

Ability Score Increase

Dexterity score increases by 2.  Intelligence score is increased by 1.  Strength score is decreased by 3

Age

A child of bast reaches maturity at 10 years and begins to seek adventure.  They can live for 70 to 80 years.

Alignment

Children of Bast tend towards chaotic alignments.  They live by their own rules and pay little attention to the laws of other beings.

Size

Children of Bast tend towards 3 feet tall and generally weight less than 50 lbs. (small) In their cat form they are smaller about a foot tall (tiny)

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.  And climb speed of 15.

Bite and Scratch

The Child of Bastet may look cute, but those velvet paws hide a dangerous secret.  Small but sharp claws and fangs that can reduce any unwelcome petting hand to a bloody mess.

Catlike grace

While in cat form a Child of Bast is small and lean, able to run and slip through the legs of larger creatures, on a successful dexterity save you will avoid an attack of opportunity.  You always land on your feet, and take half damage from falls greater than ten feet and no damage from fall 10 feet and less.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language of your choice.  The children of bast do not have a language of their own.