Homebrew Cat-folk Species Details

Cat‑folk display as much diversity in appearance and temperament as the cats they resemble. Some bear the features of great cats—panthers, lions, or tigers—while others evoke familiar domesticated breeds. Their hands and feet are paw‑like with retractable claws, and each has a feline tail—barring any accidents. Those from colder climates often grow thicker or longer fur. Cat‑folk are typically a little taller than humans and tend toward a lean, agile build.

Their cultures and motivation vary widely. In some lands, Cat‑folk live much like the creatures they resemble—curious, playful, and instinct‑driven. Elsewhere, they adopt the customs of neighboring peoples, showing little of the feline behavior. Some form lion‑like prides that rarely interact with outsiders, choosing instead to live off the land in deep recognition of their origins. Others feel the pull of distant horizons and venture beyond their borders, eager to test themselves in the world.

No one truly knows the origin of the Cat‑folk. Some believe they were created by a benevolent deity, while others claim they are the result of magical experimentation gone terribly wrong—or remarkably right. Still more theories suggest a powerful curse or blessing, ancient servants elevated to sentience, or even nature itself seeking balance. Casscatas, Juvastus, Omfellude, Siberhiem, and Silvaardus: if any of these ancestries know the truth, they seem disinclined to share it with the wider world.

Casscatas (Housecat)

Casscatas trace their lineage directly to nimble housecats, their small frames and vivid coats carrying every shade and pattern of their domestic ancestors. Endlessly expressive and disarmingly charming, they weave through city life with soft chirps and well‑timed purrs—little urban diplomats whose beguiling cuteness is as much a talent as it is a weapon.

Size: Small (2–4 ft), Speed: 25 ft (walk & climb), Ability Scores: +2 CHA, +1 DEX, Proficiency: Persuasion, Unique Feature: Beguiling Purr (Bonus Action–choose one creature you are communicating with-they must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be Charmed by you for 1 minute; once per long rest.)

Juvastus (Leonin)

Juvastus stand as the towering heirs of the great savannah hunters—lions, cheetahs, and leopards—embodying the raw power and proud independence that set them apart from all other Cat‑folk. Their mighty Battle Roar echoes that lineage, a thunderous surge of spirit that can shake foes to their core and rally their kin in moments when instinct and strength must reign.

Size: Medium (6–7 ft), Speed: 35 ft (walk), 20 ft (climb), Ability Scores: +2 STR, +1 CON, Proficiency: Athletics, Unique Feature: Battle Roar (Bonus Action–one ally within 5 feet gains Heroic Inspiration. Each enemy within 10 feet must succeed a Wisdom saving throw or be Frightened of you; once per long rest.)

Omfellude (Haired Cats)

Omfelludes carry a proud lineage woven from panthers, margays, and every sleek hunter between, their tall frames and striking manes echoing the wild majesty of their ancestors. Born with a talent for sudden, fluid motion, they channel this heritage into their signature shadow‑pounce—an instinctive burst of speed that turns danger into opportunity.

Size: Medium (5–6.5 ft), Speed: 30 ft (walk), 20 ft (climb), Ability Scores: +1 STR, +1 DEX, +1 CHA, Proficiency: Intimidation, Unique Feature: Shadow Pounce (Strike and Move–you can move at least 10 feet toward a creature and hit it with a melee attack, you can immediately shift up to 5 feet without provoking opportunity attacks.)

Siberhiem (Winter Born)

The Siberhiem trace their lineage to the fiercest mountain felines—bobcats, lynxes, cougars, and snow leopards—each strand of ancestry woven into their dense winter‑born coats and high‑altitude cunning. Hardened by blizzards and stone, their Frostfur Resilience marks them as creatures shaped by the mountains themselves, enduring what would break lesser folk.

Size: Medium (4–6 ft), Speed: 30 ft (walk), 25 ft (climb), Ability Scores: +1 CON, +1 INT, +1 WIS, Proficiency: Survival, Unique Feature: Frostfur Resilience (Reaction–when you take damage, roll a 1d10, add your CON modifier, reduce the damage taken by the total; use this feature equal to your proficiency bonus per long rest.)

Silvaardus (Tabaxi)

Silvaardus hail from the river‑cut jungles and mist‑laden forests of their ancestors, feline hunters whose striped and spotted coats once prowled the shifting borders of water and canopy. Rooted in this lineage of vigilant guardians, they defend their claimed ground with the same territorial instinct that once kept their wild forebears’ domains safe from intrusion.

Size: Medium (4–6 ft), Speed: 30 ft (walk & climb), Ability Scores: +2 DEX, +1 WIS, Proficiency: Nature, Unique Feature: Territorial Instinct (Bonus Action–you designate your space as your territory, you gain a +1 bonus to AC; when a creature enters within 5 feet of you, use your reaction to make a melee attack.)

Cat-folk Traits

As Cat-folk, you have these special traits.

Creature Type

You are a Humanoid.
(size and speed are determined by your ancestry)

Cat-folk Ancestry

Choose one subspecies from which your character descends: 

Casscatas (Housecat), Juvastus (Leonin), Omfellude (Haired Cats), Siberhiem (Winter Born), and Silvaardus (Tabaxi)

Your lineage determines your size, speed, ability score bonus, bonus proficiency, and a unique ancestry feature. (Note: selecting a subspecies is required for proper functionality.)

Born to Hunt

Cat‑folk move with an effortless grace, slipping through the world as though every branch, shadow, and breeze were placed there just for them.

You have proficiency in Acrobatics and Stealth. In addition, you have Advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing.

Your natural agility also enhances your Climbing ability. You have a higher base climbing speed, depending on your ancestry, as compared to other species.

Feline Vision

Your eyes catch details others miss, seeing cleanly through dim light with the easy confidence of a creature born to stalk dusk and dawn.

You have Darkvision out to 60 feet. You see in dim light as though it were bright light, and in darkness as though it were dim light, though you perceive no color in darkness—only shades of gray. In addition, your whiskers can detect subtle air currents in a 5-foot radius around you.

Natural Defense

Even unarmed, Cat‑folk are never truly defenseless — their claws are quick, sharp, and always ready when trouble comes calling.

Your unarmed strikes deal slashing damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier instead of the normal damage.

Nine Lives

Whether by luck, instinct, or something stranger, Cat‑folk always seem to survive the moment that should have ended them.

When you would drop to 0 hit points, you instead drop to 1 hit point and gain Resistance to all damage until the end of your next turn. A faint, shimmering after‑image of yourself flickers where you should have fallen—visible only to you and other Cat‑folk.

You can use this trait a number of times equal to your Proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a Long Rest.