Homebrew Coonari Species Details

Coonari: The Mischief of the Cat Lord

**Description:**
The Coonari are a race of small, raccoon-like humanoids, standing between 3 to 4 feet tall and weighing 50 to 75 pounds. With fur-covered bodies, bushy striped tails, and large expressive eyes, they bear a striking resemblance to their animal namesakes. Their fur comes in a variety of shades, typically ranging from gray to brown, often marked with darker patches around the eyes and hands, giving them a masked appearance.

Coonari are known for their dexterous, nimble paws and keen senses, especially in low-light environments. They are agile climbers and skilled scavengers, with a natural talent for tinkering and repurposing objects they find. Their curious and playful nature often leads them into both adventure and trouble.

Creation and Background: 
The Coonari are said to have been created by the enigmatic deity known as the Cat Lord, a divine being associated with cats, stealth, and curiosity. The Cat Lord, intrigued by the cleverness and resourcefulness of raccoons, decided to mold them into a race that could embody both the independence and cunning of felines.

According to legend, the Cat Lord granted the Coonari their humanoid form and blessed them with heightened intelligence and dexterity. However, they were also imbued with a love for shiny objects, a trait that often gets them into trouble. The Cat Lord viewed the Coonari as an experiment in balance, blending the cautious nature of a predator with the audacious curiosity of a trickster.

The Coonari hold the Cat Lord in high regard, seeing him as both creator and protector. Temples and shrines dedicated to the Cat Lord can be found in hidden, out-of-the-way places, where Coonari offer tributes of shiny trinkets and valuable finds.

Society and Culture:
Coonari society is loose and informal, with communities often forming in dense forests, secluded urban districts, or other areas where they can blend in and scavenge with ease. They are highly adaptable, thriving in both wilderness and urban environments.

Their communities are known for their creativity, with many Coonari being skilled inventors, tinkerers, and craftsmen. They love stories and tales of trickery, often exchanging exaggerated accounts of their own exploits. Honor and prestige among Coonari often come from outwitting others or discovering particularly rare or valuable items.

Despite their playful and sometimes mischievous nature, Coonari are fiercely loyal to their own kind and will band together to protect their communities from threats.

Racial Traits:

Ability Score Increase:Dexterity +2, Intelligence +1
Age:Coonari mature by age 3 and can live up to 50 years.
Alignment:Typically chaotic, valuing freedom, curiosity, and personal independence.
Size: Small (3 to 4 feet tall, 50 to 75 pounds)
Speed:Your base walking speed is 30 feet. You also have a climbing speed of 20 feet.
Darkvision: You can see in dim light within 60 feet 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.

Scavenger's Instincts: You have proficiency in the Sleight of Hand and Stealth skills.

Tinker: You have proficiency with tinker's tools. You can spend 1 hour to create a tiny mechanical device, like a clockwork toy, fire starter, or music box, which lasts for 24 hours or until you create another device.

Nimble Paws: You can use your bonus action to interact with an object, such as picking a lock or disabling a trap.

Keen Senses:You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.

Cat Lord's Blessing: Once per long rest, you can reroll a failed Dexterity (Stealth) check. You must take the new roll.

Languages:You can speak, read, and write Common and Coonari.

 

Names:
Coonari names are often playful and descriptive, reflecting their personality or physical traits. They often have simple, easy-to-remember names.

Male Names: Racco, Bandit, Stripe, Masko
Female Names: Nila, Pippa, Scrappy, Miska
Clan Names: Quickpaws, Shadowfur, Nightmask, Silverclaw

Roleplaying Tips:
Playing a Raccoonus character offers a chance to embrace a curious, playful, and sometimes mischievous role. They are naturally drawn to adventure, always on the lookout for new experiences, treasures, and opportunities to outwit others. Loyalty to their kin and a deep respect for the Cat Lord often guide their actions, even when they seem unpredictable to others.

Coonari Traits

As a Coonari, you have the following racial traits

Ability Score Increases

Dexterity +2, Intelligence +1 

Languages

Your character can speak, read, and write Common and Coonari, and 1other language. 

Creature Type

You are a Humanoid.

Size

You are small 

Speed

Your walking speed is 30 feet, and you have a climbing speed equal to your walking speed.

Cat Lord’s Blessing

Once per long rest, you can reroll a failed Dexterity (Stealth) check. You must take the new roll.

 

Scavengers Instincts

You have proficiency in the Sleight of Hand and Stealth skills.

Darkvision

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 discern colors in that darkness only as shades of gray.

Tinker

You have proficiency with tinker's tools. You can spend 1 hour to create a tiny mechanical device, like a clockwork toy, fire starter, or music box, which lasts for 24 hours or until you create another device.

 

Keen Senses

You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.