Homebrew Pantherian Species Details
Pantherian's are a proud and varied feline people descended from ancient felidae bloodlines. Though their appearances differ widely as their genus evolved over time, all Pantherian's carry the instincts of powerful hunters, moving through the world with sharp senses, confidence, and natural grace with each lineage reflecting a different expression of the same primal ancestry.
Pantherian communities are shaped by instinct, tradition, and the environments they call home. Some live in close-knit prides, valuing loyalty, courage, and leadership, while others favour solitude, stealth, and personal strength. Whether found in sunlit savannas, dense jungles, misty mountains, shadowed forests, or wandering among other peoples, Pantherians are often recognised for their fierce independence, protective nature, and deep connection to the hunt.
Many Pantherian's leave their homelands in search of honour, survival, purpose, or worthy challenges. Adventuring Pantherians may become warriors, scouts, guardians, hunters, or leaders, using their natural talents to protect their allies and overcome those who mistake their calm presence for weakness.
Leonin
The pride of a lion never faulters. Leonin tend to be tall compared to humans and move with a boldness that suggests their physical might. Tawny fur covers leonin bodies and some grow thick manes ranging in shades from gold to black. While their hands prove as nimble as those of other humanoids, leonin have retractable claws, which they can extend instantly. This along with their ability to produce bone-shaking roars, gives most leonin an air the readily shifts between regal and fearsome.
Tigran
The solitude of a tiger never weakens its strength. Tigran tend to be tall and powerfully built compared to humans, yet move with a silence that seems unnatural for creatures of their size. Striped fur covers their bodies in shades of orange, black, white, gold, or grey, helping them vanish among forests, snow, shadow, and tall grass. While their hands are as nimble as those of other humanoids, Tigran possess retractable claws and crushing jaws. Their ability to remain still and unseen before striking gives them an air that shifts easily between calm restraint and sudden, terrifying violence.
Panteran
The resolve of a panther is not easily broken. Panteran are broad, dense, and powerfully muscled compared to humans, built less for speed and more for endurance, climbing strength, and close-quarters brutality. Their fur ranges from golden coats marked with dark rosettes to deep black patterns that seem to swallow the light, giving rise to many tales of shadow-panthers stalking ancient forests and ruined temples. While their hands are as nimble as those of other humanoids, Panteran possess retractable claws, crushing jaws, and bodies capable of dragging prey far larger than themselves. Their fearless nature and stubborn resilience give them an air that shifts easily between watchful patience and unyielding ferocity.
Acinyx
The speed of a cheetah is gone before fear can follow. Acinyx tend to be lean and lightly built compared to other feline peoples, with long limbs, narrow frames, and a restless energy that makes stillness seem unnatural to them. Short spotted fur covers their bodies in shades of gold, tan, cream, or pale brown, often marked by dark tear-like lines beneath the eyes. While their hands are as nimble as those of other humanoids, Acinyx possess retractable claws, sharp senses, and bodies shaped for sudden bursts of impossible speed. Their unmatched swiftness and quick reactions give them an air that shifts easily between graceful calm and explosive motion.
Pumari
The grace of a puma is found in motion. Pumari tend to be lean, athletic, and lightly built compared to humans, with powerful legs and flexible bodies shaped for climbing, leaping, and sudden changes in direction. Their fur ranges from tawny gold and pale brown to grey, cream, or spotted patterns, with some bearing the long limbs and keen ears of smaller wild cats. While their hands are as nimble as those of other humanoids, Pumari possess retractable claws, sharp reflexes, and an instinctive sense of balance. Their ability to spring over obstacles and slip through danger gives them an air that shifts easily between playful elegance and precise, acrobatic violence.
Pantherian Traits
Creature Type: Humanoid
Size: Medium (about 4–8 feet tall) or Small (about 2–4 feet tall), chosen when you select this species
Speed: 35 feet
Pantherian Might
Your strong bite force and powerful claws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you can deal either piercing (Bite) or slashing (Claws) damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier instead of the normal damage for an unarmed strike.
In addition, your claws are well suited for climbing. You have a climbing speed of 30 feet.
Pantherian Lineage
Your bloodline reflects one of the great felidae hunters. Choose a lineage from the Pantherian Lineages table. Your choice grants you two traits that reflect your ancestry.
| Lineage | Trait | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Leonin (Lion) | Roar of the Pridelands | Allies within 15 feet gain advantage on their next saving throw until the start of your next turn while all enemies within 15 feet must make a Wisdom save or be Frightened. You can use this trait once per Short Rest |
| Commanding Presence | Gain proficiency in the Intimidation skill. When you make a Charisma (Intimidation) or Charisma (Persuasion) check, you can give yourself advantage on the roll. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your Proficiency Bonus per Long Rest. | |
| Tigran (Tiger) | Solitary Hunter | When you hit a creature, if no allies are within 20 feet of you, deal an extra 1d6 damage. This damage increases when you reach character levels 5 (1d8), 11 (1d10), and 17 (1d12). You can use this trait a number of times equal to your Proficiency Bonus per Long Rest. |
| Heavy Stalker | When you wear armour with which you are proficient, you ignore any reduction to your Speed and any disadvantage on ability checks imposed by that armour. | |
| Panteran (Jaguar/Leopard/Panther) | Fearless Hunter | When you take damage from an attack, you can use your Reaction to reduce the damage. The damage reduction is 1d6. This die changes when you reach character levels 5 (1d8), 11 (1d10), and 17 (1d12).You can use this trait a number of times equal to your Proficiency Bonus per Long Rest. You have advantage on saving throws you make to avoid or end the Frightened condition on yourself. |
| Powerful Build | You have Advantage on any ability check you make to start or end the Grappled condition. You also count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift. | |
| Acinyx (Cheetah) | High Speed Pounce | Increase your movement speed by 20 feet until the end of your turn. If you move at least 30 feet straight toward a creature and hit it with a melee attack on the same turn, the target must succeed on a Strength saving throw or have the Prone condition until the start of its next turn. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your Proficiency Bonus per Long Rest. |
| Survival Instincts | When you or an ally within 5 feet of you takes damage from a creature you can see, you can use your Reaction to move up to your Speed. This movement doesn’t provoke Opportunity Attacks. You can use this trait once per Short Rest. | |
| Pumari (Puma/Small Cat) | Apex Reflexes | When you make a Long Jump or High Jump, you can increase the distance you jump by a number of feet equal to 5 times your Proficiency Bonus. You can use your Reaction to reduce any falling damage you take by an amount equal to five times your Proficiency Bonus. If this reduces the damage to 0, you land on your feet. |
| Vaulting Grace | When you jump, you can move through the space of a creature that is larger than you, provided you end your movement in an unoccupied space. |
Hunter's Instincts
You have proficiency in one of the following skills of your choice: Animal Handling, Athletics, Intimidation, Nature, Perception, or Survival.
Keen Smell
Thanks to your sensitive nose, you have advantage on Perception, Survival and Investigation checks that involve smell.
Darkvision
You have Darkvision with a range of 60 feet.
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