Homebrew Cat Species Details

The tabby Chuy stretched, his claws glinting in the flickering candlelight like razors. He cast a ragged shadow, ears torn and tail mangled from hard-fought years travelling the trading routes between the here and there. Nonetheless, his bright gold eyes were as sharp and clear as his fur was clean and even if he had long forgotten the spryness of kittenhood, he moved with the heavy ease of a square-bodied tomcat. The other members of his party were still sleeping, half-hidden among the blankets. It still felt strange to consider such small beings companions, but the mice and even the youngling opossum had more than proved their mettle in recent skirmishes. There was an advantage to working with folks who didn’t think as you did, and who could sneak into spaces as small as your paw. Quietly, Chuy padded to an alcove half-hidden by a tapestry and sat, tail wrapped neatly around his paws. A small figure of Ix Chel rested on a shelf, her clawed hands holding divination stones. Like cats she offered a duality of war and of healing and Chuy knew that if his path wandered to the other road she’d support him still.

— Yolanda MacDonald, Rain-Bent Road

Although cats are not the largest creatures in animal society, they do enjoy throwing their weight around, knowing they can charm or intimidate anyone who might have things another way. Creatures of contradictions, cats simultaneously want to be alone and to be with others, to do things on their own yet be taken care of, and to start fights without necessarily seeing them through. In a world of smaller animals, cats can be seen as bullies or leaders depending on the individual cat and how that cat has behaved to the smaller members of animal society. Ready adventurers, many cats also make surprisingly devout clerics and paladins as their mercurial natures are, of course, underlaid with firm convictions.

As Varied As Their Nature

Cats have possibly the widest range of appearance of any creature. Though most cats are covered nose to tail with thick, medium-length fur, just as may have incredibly long silky fur and some have almost no fur at all. Their coat patterns come in just as many varieties, with stripes, spots and swirled patterns in colours such as soft orange, white, speckled brown, black, and a silvery blue-grey. Their large, slit-pupiled eyes come in many colours as well but are mostly limited to blue, green, gold or copper. Most cats have long, expressive tails, though some are born with almost none.

Though considered by some to be vain, in truth cats are fastidious about cleanliness and even when travelling take the time to groom themselves each day. Cats who make their way in the world through fighting may be missing the tip of their tail or a part of an ear in addition to numerous scars. Such marks are considered badges of honour and proof of their superiority to their foes.

Their Ancestors Gods

Although cats do not have any sort of discernibly divine ancestry, their legends insist that they are descended from lovingly worshipped gods or companions of gods. Which god varies by locale – Freyja, Bastet, Li Shou, Ceridwen, Ix Chel and even Sphinx are some of the predecessors they claim. Even with this cultural touchstone, cats are not especially religious, though they argue that their gods wouldn’t claim blind devotion as they would be familiar with the nature of cats.

Warm Homes, Warm Hearts

Even the prickliest or most solitary cat desires companionship and cats often end up in highly populated areas. Rural cats may not socialise as much as their urban cousins, but even so will find other creatures to talk to and interact with among the animals of the area. As initially terrifying as the prospect may be to a small animal such as a mouse, an invitation to a cat’s home often reveals an unsuspected softness. Warm and snug, with a tendency towards luxurious textures, a cat’s home is a sanctuary.

For all that cats may appear unpredictable, the rules an individual cat follows are consistent. They do not hold other animals or cats to the same expectations but do follow a clear, if often chaotic, set of morals, making them trustworthy companions.

Cat Names

Cats usually have names appropriate to the culture in which they were raised. A cat who has grown up around humans will have anything from a human-style name to an object-based name like many in animal society, though it will be far more fanciful than an average animal would choose. Some cats are named (or name themselves) after famous cats in literature, or style themselves with a title such as “Mister” or “Princess” to add an additional layer of dignity suiting their feline natures.

Cat Names: Bandit, Bob, Duchess, Ginger, Maverick, Midnight, Milo, Mister Mister, Mittens, Oliver, Prince Charming, Sawyer, Scar, Shadow, Socks, Tab, Tiger, Tom

WHO DOESN’T LIKE CATS

Each cat finds a way to gain acceptance from those who hate cats. Some are coy, allowing only trusted creatures into their society and keeping from those they don’t trust. A few demonstrate helpfulness and good nature as publicly as they can (whether or not such demonstrations are genuine). And some simply try to be so rough-and-tumble that others just avoid them.

Cat Traits

Any cat has traits that reflect the kind of behaviour one would expect out of a cat, thanks to their storied history.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Cats are long-lived, most reaching 130 years of age and some living 200 years or more.

Alignment

Cats are naturally chaotic and rarely evil, though individuals may make poor choices based on curiosity or selfishness.

Size

Even small cats are larger than most rabbits, and most cats are about the size of eight rats. Your size is Large.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet and your claws give you a climbing speed of 20 feet.

Little Shadows

Your feline eyes are made for hunting in the dark and you have excellent Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 90 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern colour in darkness, only shades of grey. In addition, you have proficiency in the Perception and Stealth skills.

Menacing And Persuasive

You gain proficiency in both the Intimidation and the Persuasion skill.

Nine Lives

When you are reduced to 0 hit points but not killed outright, you can drop to 1 hit point instead. You can’t use this feature again until you finish a long rest.

Fondness For Humans

The history of the cat and human is a long one and they have an innate understanding of how to get humans to assist them. This familiarity means a cat has an advantage in working with humans and may even possess a human familiar.

Red In Tooth And Claw

Your claws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike. In addition, your reflexes and agility allow you to move with a burst of speed. When you move on your turn in combat, you can double your speed until the end of the turn. Once you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you move 0 feet on one of your turns.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language of your choice.