Homebrew Cat Folk Species Details

Catfolk descended from felines thousands of years ago, only just older than humans. Catfolk are Tribal people, whose passion and love run deep. They form tribes around the world, often in harsh climates, ranging from deep in the rain forests, to scorching savannahs, all the way to freezing arctic regions, but are far more common around forest edges. Like Elves, Catfolk are attuned to nature, respect it, and defend it against those who would do it harm.

With no large settlements and a tribe style government structure, they have little to do with the outside world and their schemes. They pass their history as an oral history.

Catfolk were created by Xalyn, a goddess of knowledge who takes the form of a cat. She delights in mortals’ pursuit of knowledge, and desired to be the mother of her own race of truth-seekers. When other gods suggested that she simply give a blessing to a scholarly race like the elves, Xalyn replied “But I didn’t make them!”

And so, a clowder of cats chosen by the knowledge goddess was awakened and transformed into bipedal race of creatures with a hunger for travel and enlightenment. Through the tribe’s travels, catfolk learned about the other races, and began to disperse themselves among them in order to learn more. Catfolk became well-known for being quick learners, devoted workers, and loyal companions

It is said that the first tribe of catfolk bore the most resemblance to their parent species. Thick coats of fur covered their bodies, and their legs were reminiscent of haunches. Through intermingling with other races, these traits have been widely dispersed over thousands of years.

Some catfolk retain most of their original features, with a layer of fur covering most of their bodies and faces that remain largely feline. Other catfolk have developed more humanoid appearances. These specimens tend to have straight, silky hair, slim frames, and slanted eyes, while bearing the ears and tail that mark them as catfolk.

Catfolk are very accepting of other people. They take every opportunity to try and understand the world around them, even if that sometimes ends up getting them hurt. Because the Feline language lends itself well to music, many tribes teach their young about the race’s history through song and dance. This informative entertainment tends to pique the interest of outsiders, leading to the inspiration of many a catfolk bard.

When spending time in the company of other races, catfolk make themselves useful as minstrels, scholars, and healers. Some catfolk hone their natural grace to become circus performers, and others practice precision in order to make a living as a locksmith. Stronger specimens prefer to work as guards, but some have been known to be very successful farmers. No matter the task, for better or worse, catfolk approach life with confidence, believing that even failure is an opportunity to learn and improve.

Catfolk are a nomadic race, often traveling from tribe to tribe to experience different cultures. Catfolk get along with most other races, and is quite common to find Catfolk integrated into other societies, especially human, elves, and halflings. It is less common to find them with Orcs and Dwarves, but it not unheard of due to the variety of Catfolk personalities.

They have a tribe hierarchy. Chief>Scouts>Druids> Rest of Tribe. They are a deeply spiritual people usually a god of nature. Catfolk as a race get along with just about every other race. Their sense of curiosity is what compels them to seek adventure. Some that experience that wanderlust find the sound of battle to be exciting and draws them deeper into the life of adventuring

Cat Folk Traits

A race of Cat people, with as many variations as there are colors. Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 1. Age. Catfolk reach adulthood in their teens, and can live up to three centuries. Alignment. Catfolk tend toward chaotic alignments. Size. Catfolk normally stand at around five and a half feet tall and weigh around 120 pounds. Large-Breed Catfolk are more physically imposing, at about six and a half feet tall and about 200 pounds. Your size is Medium. Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet. Low-Light Vision. As a nocturnal race, you have superior vision in dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light. Cat's Claws. Because of your claws, you have a climbing speed of 20 ft. Additionally, your claws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. The damage die for your unarmed strike is a d4, and it deals slashing damage instead of bludgeoning damage. Catlike Reflexes. You may add half your proficiency bonus, rounded down,

Ability score increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 1

Age

Catfolk reach adulthood in their teens, and can live up to three centuries.

Alignment

Catfolk tend toward chaotic alignments

Size

 Catfolk normally stand at around five and a half feet tall and weigh around 120 pounds. Large-Breed Catfolk are more physically imposing, at about six and a half feet tall and about 200 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet

Low Light Vision

As a nocturnal race, you have superior vision in dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light

Cats Claws

Because of your claws, you have a climbing speed of 20 ft. Additionally, your claws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. The damage die for your unarmed strike is a d4, and it deals slashing damage instead of bludgeoning damage.

Catlike Reflexes

You may add half your proficiency bonus, rounded down, to your initiative rolls

Feline Empathy

You can communicate simple ideas with feline creatures, such as cats, lions, and tigers

Languages

 You can speak, read, and write Common.

Catlike Tread

You are proficient in the Stealth skill.

Fleet of foot

Your movement speed increases to 35 feet.

Nine Lives

 You have resistance to damage taken from falling.