Homebrew Cheshin Species Details

Cunning, yet solitary hunters of Flumenheim. They are known for their nimble feline appearance yet strong, avian wings. Though their aversion to cooperation with each other makes finding one rarer than other species, it is their strange affiliation with the Master of Treasure, the Cat King, and their range of temperaments that causes many to view them with caution. Not that this is a particular issue for the Cheshin, stability comes naturally to these born-survivors amongst the beastial highlands and storming skies. 

 

From Firr to Forestry


All Cheshin originate from the same one place in Flumenheim, the Firr. The Firr is a giant, wonderous landscape connecting Flumenheim and Giganheim which exists as a plane (Note: a plane is an overlapping version of the same dimension with different laws, while a dimension is a completely different area separated from other dimensions in space-time) covered in meowing cats, gargantuan trees and feathery plant-life. The Firr was created millennia ago by an ancient Demigod called the Cat King, who then subsequently created the Cheshin from the stars in the sky as company in his otherwise empty home. 

Many, many years later in the current day, portals, gateways and phaselands have brought few new people in and out of the Firr since it's entrance. However, plenty of Cheshin have left to explore, learn or live in other regions in either Giganheim or Flumenheim, leading to long, confusing ancestry among individuals. No matter where the Cheshin migrate to though, they always make their nest's high up in the canopy, or in caves atop high mountains filled with trinkets; A primal urge from their conception drives all Cheshin towards one similar, yet vastly unique goal: Reach the stars. 

The Cheshin are never found in low areas like bogs, marshes or near oceans, as the species is attracted to only the highest places they are capable of flying to. The Forghold Gigacomplex is widely considered a native home for many Cheshin in Giganheim, while in Flumenheim they are most frequently discovered in the canopies of the Firewood Forest surrounding Mamotoe. And among these altitudes, they shy away from the heavily trodden roads, opting to hide themselves, and everything they own, in nests: Small pockets or crannies where they can shove all of their shiny trinkets and found treasure like repossessed tree knots, indents in high mountains, and rumor has it some even carve out ridges in The Fog in the Sky, and have made it their personal shield.  



Catty Instincts


Though they are similar to their landlocked kin like the Tabaxi or standard felines, Cheshin are separate in their fierce protection over their territory, their treasure, and most importantly, their values (whatever those might be). It is a lucky thing that many don't live long enough outside of Firr to form strong-standing values outside of those which others would consider common-sense, such as comradery, duty or currency. Outside of their eerily mysterious history, Cheshin aren't too dissimilar to somewhat of a fusion between a standard housecat and birds of prey.

Generally solitary in the majority, Cheshin are overall somewhat decent communicator's, and a rare few have been known in Giganheim to follow the scent of commerce and become rather successful merchants. However, a Cheshin's joy usually lies more in their homes; They are more commonly considered lazy and laid-back creatures, opting to become things like inn-keepers for small towns if they've made a suitable nest for themselves nearby, or bandits who take what they can get and flutter back to their nests. It is for this reason that the species is more of a rarity than it could be, seeing as Cheshin's nest is terribly difficult endeavor to find, and not many who've stumbled into a Cheshin's trove are keen to share the experience with anyone else. 

Overall though, these winged felines are intriguing denizens of the midland dimensions; With a past as deep as theirs, it is astonishing how little is still known about who these creatures are at their core, or what drives them in their star-bound evolution. Though it one thing is abundantly clear through any interaction with the Cheshin, and that is that their passions and instinct follow them in everything they do. Whether that is pursuing glory and fame among others or isolating themselves and sleeping atop a glimmering trove of gold, none of these soaring individuals ever settle for less than what they can grab with their talons.

Cheshin Traits

As a cheshin, you have certain traits in common with your people. Being able to fly at high speed starting at 1st level is exceptionally effective in certain circumstances and exceedingly dangerous in others. As a result, playing a cheshin requires special consideration by your DM.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Charisma score increase by 1.

Age

Cheshin reach maturity around 2 years old and live until about 40 in the wild. In Firr, they live until around 150 years.

Alignment

Generally, most Cheshin lean towards neutral in all affairs. Living in a dimension when the wild constitutes most of the world has that effect on an individual. However, it isn't uncommon either to find a few more generously-inclined of the species.

Cat's Tongue

You are able to speak to any feline beast creature. 

Darkvision

You can see in dim light within 70 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.

Languages

Your character can speak, read, and write Common and one other language (From Flumeheim Language Chart). The Player’s Handbook offers a list of languages to choose from.

Nimble Agility

Although you are a small size, you are treated with the conditions and rules of the tiny size. 

Manufactured weapons you wield that do not have the light property deal less damage than those used by larger creatures. Decrease all damage dice of such weapons by one die size (minimum 1 damage). For example, if the damage die for a weapon would normally be a d6 it becomes a d4, if it would normally be a d4 it instead deals only 1 damage.

Any additional dice added to damage rolls you make with manufactured weapons are unaffected. For example, any damage added by a feature or trait such as Sneak Attack, a spell such as hunter's mark, or from a magic weapon such as a flame tongue do not decrease in size.


Additionally, you have advantage on Dexterity saving throws and Dexterity (Acrobatics) checks you make to avoid the prone condition.

In addition, whenever you fall from a height of 10 feet or more you can use your reaction to mitigate the damage you take upon landing. When you do so, the fall damage is reduced by a number of d6 equal to your proficiency bonus. You can use this reaction a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and regain all uses whenever you finish a long rest.

Winged

Your species bares a pair of wings, which give you a flying speed equal to half that of your walking speed. While flying, you can carry up to half your own weight without hinderance, and up to your weight with hinderance. While flying, you cannot be hit by physical melee attacks, and aren't affected by rough or broken terrain conditions. 

While flying, ranged attacks have advantage to hit. When an attack hits a flying creature, that creature must make a Dexterity saving throw or be knocked prone, and fall the distance to the ground.

Treasure Horder

Because of an ancient instinct within your species to keep and protect treasured items, you have never gotten rid of an item. Though it may be a nuisance to clean and organize what others would call 'trash', your horde does contain some items of true value.

At the start of the game, you may choose 2 uncommon items, 1 magical and 1 mundane, and add them to your inventory with no additional costs or weight attached.

Feline Constellation

Though it's unknown what connects a Cheshin to the stars, all Cheshin live and prosper under principles of the constellations; All Cheshin are connected to the stars in some way. Because of this connection, you may choose a celestial principle to align yourself with, and doing so connects you to the feature associated with that constellation.


Aurem Oculi; Tigris Nebula
You are aligned with the minor star body Tigris Minor, a deity of wealth, strategy and cunning. Connecting to this star body has allowed you to be very lucrative in your skills and lucky in your ways, even if sometimes your passion for rewards and treasure supersedes your awareness of the other splendors of life.

When making Wisdom (Perception) and Intelligence (Investigation) checks to search for materials, supplies or items, roll twice. If the second roll is higher than the first, you automatically fail the check, but find gold equal to the sum of both rolls. If you roll a natural 20 on the first roll, you succeed the skill check regardless of the other roll, and double the total amount of gold you would've gained. (Ex: If you roll a natural 20 and then a 16, you gain 72 gold).

Solis Dormiens; Levisomnum Leonidas
You are aligned with the major star body Levisomnum Leonidas, a deity of splendor, bravery & sunlight. Connecting to this star body has allowed you endless energy and willpower of a warrior, providing you the strength to fend off the creatures of the night. This gift does come with a duty though, as you are expected as one of Leonidas' disciples to always step up when the sun isn't watching.

You take long rests in the same time any other creature would take a short rest. You gain the same benefits from this as a regular long rest, including replenishing spell slots, hit points & curing conditions like exhaustion. You are completely unable to fall rest at night; Any attempts to sleep or otherwise relax are null, including through spells like Sleep and items like Potion of Vitality. 


Turpis Furor Maximum; Manul et Umbra
You are aligned with the major star body Manul et Umbra, the a young star body that broke from the supercluster of Lyxi Pardus Genetrix, the princess deity of justice, determination and brute power. Connecting to this star body has allowed you the rage and spirit of a barbarian, with might and grit to match. Many heroes within Cheshin legends have risen, and fallen, under flickering ferocity of Umbra's finest star-cluster... a piece of which you now live by.

 

When attacking an enemy, in combat or otherwise, you have the ability to enter a rage-like state as a bonus action. In this state, you cannot be frightened, and every physical attack you successfully hit when enraged deals an additional amount of damage equal to your damage dice for that weapon plus your strength strength modifier. (Ex. You attack with a [weapon]longsword[/weapon]. On top of 1d8 damage, you add an additional 1d8+STR Modifier). 

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