Homebrew Felinus Species Details

Felinus (also known as Catkin) are a rare and elusive feline people whose origins, like all Animalkin, can be traced back to the Feywild. Since coming to Nareen, Felinus have largely avoided the growing settlements of other Animalkin, instead making their homes in small, secluded communities hidden within forests, valleys, highlands, and other places where the land can comfortably provide for them.

Few outsiders have spent significant time among the Felinus, and reliable accounts of their communities are remarkably scarce. What is known suggests that Felinus value independence, curiosity, and above all else, the small communities they build around themselves. Though they are capable explorers, Felinus rarely wander without purpose, preferring to learn their surroundings intimately and make use of whatever the land provides.

Hidden Communities

Felinus are naturally private people. Their settlements are generally small and deliberately built away from well-travelled roads, major cities, and other centres of civilisation. Rather than reshape the land extensively to suit their needs, Felinus prefer to adapt their homes to what is already present, hunting, gathering, cultivating small patches of land, and crafting what they require from local materials.

Within these settlements, community is incredibly important. Food, knowledge, responsibilities, and resources are commonly shared, and every Felinus is expected to contribute according to their abilities. Self-reliance is valued, but not at the expense of others. To a Felinus, being capable of looking after oneself means being capable of helping look after the community as well.

This secluded lifestyle has made Felinus one of the least documented Animalkin peoples in Nareen. It is difficult to determine how many Felinus actually exist, as many communities can remain unnoticed by outsiders for years.

Cautious Curiosity

Despite their isolation, Felinus possess an almost instinctive curiosity. An unfamiliar sound, strange object, forgotten pathway, or unanswered question can quickly capture a Felinus's attention.

This curiosity is tempered by caution. Felinus are rarely quick to trust strangers and are often content to observe an outsider before approaching them. Trust is something earned gradually through actions rather than promises. Once someone has been accepted into a Felinus community, however, they may find themselves treated with the same loyalty and consideration afforded to those born within it.

Some Felinus find that curiosity eventually draws them beyond the safety of their homes. These individuals make natural explorers and adventurers, seeking forgotten places and unfamiliar peoples before, in many cases, eventually returning home with new knowledge and stories to share.

Children of the Feywild

Like the other Animalkin, the Felinus began their existence within the Feywild. Though much of their earliest history survives through stories rather than written records, their Fey ancestry remains apparent in their natural affinity for the wilderness and the Sylvan tongue.

Their arrival upon Nareen did little to change the Felinus instinct to establish small communities away from outsiders. While other Animalkin peoples have built settlements, forged alliances, and become increasingly involved with the wider peoples of Nareen, many Felinus simply disappeared into the wilderness.

For this reason, much of what the wider world believes about the Felinus comes from scattered encounters, travellers' accounts, and the rare Felinus who chooses to live beyond their own communities. Even among other Animalkin, the Felinus can remain something of a mystery.

Many Shapes and Sizes

Felinus possess feline features, including fur-covered bodies, expressive ears, tails, sharp claws, and eyes well suited to darkness. Beyond these similarities, their appearance varies considerably.

Some Felinus are diminutive creatures barely two feet tall, while others can stand as tall as five and a half feet. Felinus can therefore be either Small or Medium, with considerable differences in build, coloration, markings, and feline features between individuals and communities.

These differences are not generally considered important among the Felinus themselves. Whether small and nimble or tall and powerfully built, a Felinus is judged far more by what they contribute to their community than by the form they possess.

Felinus Traits

As a Felinus, you have the following traits.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Felinus reach physical maturity at approximately 10 years of age and can live for around 90 years. Traditionally, Felinus divide their lives into nine periods of roughly ten years, giving rise to the belief that every Felinus possesses Nine Lives. Each "life" represents a new stage of experience and personal growth rather than a literal return from death.

Size

Felinus display an unusually broad range of builds. Some stand little more than 2 feet tall, while the largest can reach approximately 5½ feet. When you choose this species, choose whether your size is Small or Medium.

Darkvision

Accustomed to travelling and hunting beneath dense canopies and in the darkness of night, you have Darkvision out to 60 feet. Within that range, you see dim light as though it were bright light and darkness as though it were dim light.

Speed

Felinus are naturally quick and light-footed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Purrsuasion

Felinus can be remarkably expressive when they wish to be. Once per Long Rest, when you make a Charisma (Persuasion) check against a creature that is friendly toward you, you can make the check with Advantage.

Claws

Your sharp claws give you a climb speed of 15 feet. You can also use your claws to make unarmed strikes. When you hit with them, the strike deals 1d6 + your Strength or Dexterity modifier slashing damage, instead of the normal damage for an unarmed strike.

Curious Nature

Felinus possess an almost irresistible desire to investigate unusual objects, unfamiliar places, and unanswered questions. You gain proficiency in the Investigation skill.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Sylvan and one other language of your choice. Sylvan remains particularly common among Felinus communities due to their ancestral origins in the Feywild.

Felinus Lineage

Felinus possess a wide variety of coats, builds, and physical characteristics, many of which can be traced through generations of isolated clans. Some clans boast of an ancient lineage, while others are formed from generations of mixed ancestry.

Choose one of the following Felinus Lineages. Your choice grants you its Felinus Favor:

• Tabby — Common Bond: Your Wisdom score increases by 1.
• White — Noble Presence: Once per Long Rest, you can inspire creatures of your choice within 15 feet. Each gains temporary hit points equal to your Charisma modifier (min 1).
• Ginger — Fiery Nature: Your Strength score increases by 1.
• Brown — Hunter's Sense: You gain proficiency in Survival.
• Grey — Night Stalker: You gain proficiency in Stealth.
• Mottled - Mountainborn: You gain proficiency in Nature.