Homebrew Af Katte Species Details

Mutants. Freaks. Crimes against Nature. These are the words muttered under the breath of the first townsfolk to see the Af Katte. No one is quite sure how these Human-felines came into existence, but the stories have never ceased to capture the imagination of those who heard them. Some wager they simply became a reality such as the Orcs and Elves or even Humans. Others suggest they are the result of rather...unfortunate bonding between the two species. Some however, know that they hail from a secluded region of the frigid north, where a reclusive Alchemist sought to realize his dreams in secret. Whatever his plans for his new progeny were, they were cut short by a party of Paladins seeking to cleanse the land of his evil deeds. Since the Alchemists death and the Af Katte's subsequent freedom their population has slowly but steadily grown over the last few centuries. Curiously they have yet to produce male Af Katte, as any of the mothers of this species will find that their little boys lack the signature cat ears and tails that their daughters possess and are much rarer.

Being derived from Humans with minor variations to their physical capabilities leads the Af Katte to share many physical properties with Human females. They average between five and six feet tall, and with an average weight of one-hundred twenty-five to two-hundred pounds. They tend to possess fair skin, though some who have migrated to warmer climates have begun to show darker complexions. Their hair color also possesses the standard human range with some possessing more fantastical colors like faded greens and purples. The most distinctive traits of the Af Katte are almost certainly their feline Ears and Tails. Perched atop the head of the Af Katte are two ears not unlike those of a house cat, and where the "tailbone" of a normal Human would be protrudes a somewhat long and slender tail. The hair, or rather fur, that grows along these vestiges is somewhat different from the head of hair the Af Katte may possess, as the texture and roughness is somewhat different depending on the individual. The ears are especially sensitive to sound even at far distances and gives the Af Katte superior hearing to their Human counterparts. The tails of the Af Katte help to give them balance and stability and enhances their dexterity. Their eyes are a somewhat less obvious connection to the cats from which they derive their abilities, but any who view the Af Katte in darkness will see their pupils lengthen vertically and their iris's will begin to somewhat glow in the dark. This gives the Af Katte excellent darkvision, even better than Tieflings, and their normal eyesight is enhanced as well but is yet another way that makes them stand out in a fashion they would not always wish too. Perhaps owing to the "nine-lives" of their feline relatives or simply a result of their artificial creation, they tend to be longer lived than Humans with some reaching as much as 150 years of age before they are claimed by time.

The Af Katte are outcast by much of the world, being viewed as mutants or freaks by their close Human relatives and as acts of defilement against nature by the Elves. The Af Katte find their closest companionship in the other outcast races, chiefly the Half-Orcs and Half-Elves. It is quite common for them to reside within the slums of human cities working low level jobs or fulfilling the fantastical fetishes of the other races. Somewhat uncommonly you can find one who has pierced the armor of prejudice and has been taken as a wife by a low or middle-class townsman. Rarely one can find them in positions of higher authority or status, as the wives of noblemen or the leaders of mercenary companies.

Due to the often uncomfortable and unpleasant lives they live in cities and towns, many of the Af Katte take to the roads and trails. Many are searching for a better life among other towns or cities, but some simply turn to the wilderness for a home that does not judge or expect. Af Katte adventurers and travelers are typically solitary and reserved but have been known to occasionally branch out and become part of larger groups under the right circumstances.

Owing to their Nordling origins Af Katte names tend to borrow from the traditions of the region they hail from. Some common Af Katte names include: Maja, Astrid, Asta, Liva, Ida, and Hanne. Owing to the circumstances of their birth they may also be given a female name from their father's species.

Af Katte Traits

The Af Katte owe much of their abilities to their feline derivation. They are excellent climbers with a natural acclimation to the dark and possess enhanced senses and dexterity, but many are averse to the water and are somewhat incapable swimmers.

Language

The Af Katte are very alike the other humanoid races in that they almost all read and write common as their basic language.

Heightened Perception

Af Katte have a heightened passive perception due to their sensitive ears and eyes. They will hear approaching noises from greater distances are more likely to react to their peripheral vision. They can also focus their senses to perceive subjects in greater details than the average layman of a Humanoid race. 

Feline Dexterity

The majority of the Af Katte possess lithe and slender builds that afford them a greater deal of flexibility and dexterity than the average Humanoid. This increased agility and mobility allows them a greater range of movement. Climbing, jumping, and other acrobatic activities come naturally to the Af Katte and they can just as easily scale rooftops for the thieves guild as they can pirouette on the dancefloor with excellent balance. Much like the housecats of the big cities falls and other injuries resulting from them putting too much faith in their dexterity are usually much more minor injuries for the Af Katte as their bodies are much more capable of turning in air and absorbing the impacts from such falls.

Darkvision

Much like the Elves and Tieflings of the Olde lands, the Af Katte possess a greater aptitude for navigation in darkened spaces. Their pupils widen vertically to form the eyes of a cat, and their vision loses saturation in the darkness. This grants them increased range of vision and they've been known to read signs in the dark completely invisible to Humans. An Af Katte can see in dim light up to 90ft as if it were bright light and they can see in pure darkness up to 90ft as it it were dim light.