Homebrew Awakened Cat Species Details

Awoken Cats are cats that have been given human-like intelligence and consciousness through magic. These cats are generally removed from their past life but are also driven and guided by their base instincts in some cases. They might not pay much attention to ethics when it comes to killing for food, and probably won't care much for physical possessions, but will usually care for companionship with others if there are advantages to it (human or animal.)

Awoken Cats are generally difficult to tell apart from normal cats at first glance, but magic runs through their veins constantly and radiates outwards, making them identifiable to someone who may be experienced in magic. Awoken Cats are also quite adept at "paw-to-paw" melee combat, and can use their claws to slash at their targets. An Awoken Cat's consciousness cannot be disrupted by magic, as it is built into their physical body in ways that normal magic isn't.

Awoken Cats can range from size and length depending on the breed (Main Coons can grow to over 24 pounds and 48 inches from nose to tail, whereas Scottish Folds can grow to 15 pounds and are far shorter from nose to tail.) It is up to the player to decide what breed their awoken cat is, and therefore their cat's specific size.
Awoken Cats also do not have hands, so technically they can not cast any spells or hold any weapons. This can be discussed with your Dungeon Master, but generally Awoken Cats have such powerful natural magic that they can cast most spells with more basic gestures.

Examples of an awoken cat may be;

- A powerful wizard's familiar that has left or lost its master - The cat may have left due to a difference in alignment and morals, or because the wizard hasn't left his tower in years, or because the wizard has been lost in another plane or dimension or perhaps simply the wizard passed away after many years and the cat is now living out the lifespan it has left. As it no longer is in contact with the wizard it is no longer considered a magical beast and is aging at the typical rate of a house cat.

- Contact with magical forces - An accident or encounter with the arcane has granted a cat consciousness that is equal to a human's. They are confronted withnew comprehension of their surroundings and removed from their mundane feline brethren, yet they are still bound to the animal instincts that drive them. The need for warmth, shelter and a full belly are most important of all and although they are independent by nature, they will be happy to join a party to help provide for themselves and a few humans willing to give a scratch behind the ears is good motivation as well. 

 

Awakened Cat Traits

Awakened cats are no different from their mundane house-cat counterparts, the only difference is their human-level intelligence. Therefore they have all the traits and reflexes of a normal cat.

familiar traits

+ 3 Dex

Cats are naturally dexterous and lithe to make up for their small stature and strength as well as their lack of any proficiency in weapons and armor. 

+ 1 Wisdom

Cats tend to be wiser as they tend to find themselves in trouble often enough to need to learn how to get out of it.

 

Darkvision

You have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were a bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

feline

You are proficient with your claws which deal 1d4 damage slashing damage on a hit and reach 4 ft.

Claws are a cat's natural weapon. They have a very limited reach due to the size of the cat and can only attack the squares surrounding them. Cats may use this weapon in the same square as an ally due to their size.

Cats may use their claws against an enemy while climbing but must remain stationary while doing or may instead release whatever they are climbing on and fall.

Telepathy

You can speak telepathically to a creature within 30ft.

Telekinesis

because of your magical past, you can lift anything a small race can lift items with your mind.

Age

Your lifespan is around 150 years