Homebrew Feltsi (Grim Hollow: Homebrew) Species Details

The Feltsi are an unusual and enigmatic people, found primarily in the Southern Counties of the Charnault Kingdom and the Castinellan Provinces. A species of bipedal feline folk, they possess an intelligence far beyond that of their housecat cousins. Perhaps most remarkable, however, is their innate ability to shapeshift, altering their appearance to seem more or less human. Yet this transformation is never flawless—most Feltsi retain unmistakable feline features, most commonly their ears or tail.

A relatively recent arrival to the lands of Etheris, the Feltsi were first discovered some 300 years ago on an island south of the Castinellan Provinces. Early relations were peaceful, built on trade and diplomacy. But as the Castinellans grew more entwined with Feltsi society, their ambitions turned darker. It was not long before they asserted full dominion, reducing the Feltsi to a conquered people.

Stripped of their rights and dignity, the Feltsi were forced into the lowest tiers of society. Many labored in the most degrading, least-paying jobs. For others, the only path to basic comfort—a warm bed and steady food—was through the flesh trade: prostitution, concubinage, and other exploitative industries. It was within these extreme conditions, both degrading and brutal, that a strange truth about the Feltsi was uncovered—one that would change their fate forever.

When pushed to their absolute limits, brought to the edge of death itself, the Feltsi displayed a miraculous ability: complete regeneration. Their exhaustion faded, their wounds vanished, and even lost limbs would regrow—everything short of decapitation could be healed. This phenomenon, disturbingly reminiscent of the old saying that cats have nine lives, became a defining and damning trait of their people.

This regeneration could be triggered eight times without consequence. But the ninth? That was different. On their ninth “life,” the Feltsi underwent a dramatic transformation: their bodies surged with unimaginable power, becoming invulnerable, immortal for a single minute. During this time, they were unstoppable. But once the minute passed, their bodies would disintegrate entirely—gone forever, not even ash left behind.

Once this secret was known, the Feltsi of the general populace began to vanish. Outside of the pleasure districts, they faded from public life. Those seen again were cloaked in shadow—assassins, scouts, spies. The Feltsi became ghosts in the eyes of the common folk, whispered legends and lethal mysteries.

Now, the Feltsi are creatures of myth and fear, living memories of a people once conquered, now unleashed in silence.

Feltsi (Grim Hollow: Homebrew) Traits

These are the traits of the Feltsi, the powerful and yet mysterious Cat-folk of Etheris

Ability Score increase

Increase two ability scores one by 2 and the other by 1, or increase three ability scores by 1

Eight My Lives Away

When ever a Feltsi drops to 0 hp instead they can expend one of their lives as a free action. When a life is lost, the Feltsi gains 30 hp instantly and regrows any broken or lost limbs. However to do these extreme stress this does to the Feltsi's body, when they wake from their next long rest their muscles will be stained and they will gain a stack of exhaustion for each life lost. (Yes, if you use 6 life's, you will die after a long rest)

Nein way out

When the Feltsi find themselves with only one life left, they must choose what really matters to them. The Ninth life of the Feltsi gives great power to those that use it, even so, it is only ever temporary and at the cost of the Feltsi's soul. If the Feltsi uses their last life then for the next minute:

• On use, all health is regained up to the max
• They gain resistance to all forms of damage
• They gain immunity to all conditions
• They can still take normal turns while rolling death saves
• Movement and climbing speed becomes 200ft
• Lastly, at the cost with the time remaining, the Feltsi can land a guaranteed melee attack when it lands the target creature rolls a Constitution Saving Throw (DC 10+player level). If the creature fails then they die. If it succeeds, the creature takes 10d12 Damage (The damage type is not defined to overcome any resistances or immunities)

Once the minute comes to the end, the Feltsi's body begins to break down and along with their soul, they disintegrate. No spell or power can reverse these effects, once a Feltsi dies in this way, it is permanent.

Natural Stealthy

Oppressed for generations by Castinellan nobles who saw them not as people but as tools, the Feltsi were forced into lives of silence—used as spies, assassins, and shadow-servants, always one breath away from being discarded or turned into pleasure slaves should they prove to be lacking in skills. In time, they became a quick and quiet people not by nature, but by cruel necessity, learning that in Etharis, survival lies in going unseen and unheard.

• Expertise in Stealth

Cat's Eyes

Though they share little beyond appearance with their domesticated cousins, all cats—whether mundane or intelligent—possess the uncanny ability to see through the deepest darkness. In Etharis, where nightfall cloaks horrors both ancient and awakened, this gift is more than mere adaptation; it is survival. For to be caught blind in the night is to risk vanishing into the shadows from which few ever return.

• They gain Darkvision out to 60ft