Homebrew Catfolk (5e Race) Species Details

Appearance

The appearance of Catfolk vary even greater than humans, with their size ranging from just two and a half feet, all the way up to eight feet tall. They are almost always covered in a coat of fur, from short to long, thin to thick, though hairless variations are not unheard of. They have the bone structure of a cats, but are bipedal, though small catfolk are comfortable switching back and forth to quadrupedal. They have retractable claws in their hands and feet, and are feline in appearance. Their markings are also innumerable, with the most common being wild cats, such as lions, tigers, cheetahs, leopards, and lynxes. Another common variety are typical housecat patterns, such as the simple tabby, ranging from any color to any pattern typical of a standard Tabby house cat. Their sizes generally correspond to their ancestry, with Lions and Tigers generally being quite large, and Tabbies and Lynxes being quite a bit smaller, though the reverse, with large tabbies and small lions and are not uncommon.

Children of Curiousity

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, discovery, 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.

Diverse Heritage

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, some of 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. These varying traits are biased heavily on particular sub-races, and breeding, over the years.

Caravans and Camps

Though Catfolk love to interact with other races and can be perfectly happy living in smaller groups, many Catfolk organize themselves into roaming bands that travel the lands in search of new experiences. This lifestyle makes them good company for merchants and adventurers, especially since the Catfolk welcome others into their numbers.

Some Catfolk clans find that enlightenment will come to them, if the right spot is chosen. These clans make camp where travelers of all kinds are likely to pass by, and end up forming stable settlements. While most of these settlements tend to be no larger than a small village, a few bustling cities are known to have grown from humble Catfolk camps. 

The stone-clad city lifestyle is not something that many Catfolk prefer, but because of their variance, exceptions do exist. Catfolk who resemble more, their domestic counterparts, may find themselves more inclined to live in large cities or towns. Some of these might even lean into their similar appearance and stature, leading a double life, and masquerading as normal (if not a little larger) cats. 

Carefree and Kind

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. Some Catfolk share a knack with the magic or mystic arts, leading their natural quest for knowledge towards the arcane. Traditional Paladins, and Artificers do tend to be a little more rare amongst Catfolk. No matter the task, for better or worse, Catfolk approach life with confidence, believing that even failure is an opportunity to learn and improve.

History

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.

It is not uncommon for individuals, or bands of Catfolk to leave their community (or tribe) and reside with other friendly races. With no sprawling metropolises or large settlements, and a tribe style government structure, Catfolk communities often have little to do with the outside world and their schemes. Most Catfolk communities pass on their history though oration and song. Some subraces do opt for written histories, but these are more often written as poem like epics or short stories

Society

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, gnomes, and halflings. It is less common to find them with Orcs, Dwarves, and Dragonborn, but it not unheard of due to the variety of Catfolk and personalities.

Catfolk often have a tribe hierarchy. They are a deeply spiritual people, usually finding solace communing with 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. This can be a dangerous tenancy, 'curiosity killed the cat' can be fairly applicable to some more reckless Catfolk.

Names

For Catfolk, names are not an expression of heritage or a summary of accomplishment. Names are used to express each Catfolk’s individuality. Because of this Catfolk take a second name or moniker as they grow up. Additionally, its not uncommon for them to change their name later in life to better reflect the person they are now. 

Each Catfolk is given a name at birth, in Feline. These given names are not indicative of gender, and are constructed largely of vowels, with consonants used somewhat sparingly. Most given names, when spoken, sound vaguely like cat’s cries.

Later in each Catfolk’s life, he or she might adopt a nickname that is easier to pronounce for the benefit of races who don’t speak Feline. Sometimes, this nickname is based on appearance or behavior. On other occasions, a Catfolk might adopt a name from another culture, just as the humans often do.

Given Names:

Gender-neutral - Aeroun, Behaou, Caarreia, Heeze, Mioi, Naeaftas, Raaol, Yourau

Male - Kova, Trok, Ovarr, Rorran, Mur, Densharr, Mersharr, Nermissar, Therrass

Female - Suu, Korra, Mrran, Rorran, Dessirris, Mianissa, Morasha, Nera, Thessana

 

Catfolk names vary as much as the race, and is not uncommon to be taken from other race names. Catfolk usually prefer names with T, M, R, U, O and A's often with Males ending in hard letters, and Females in softer letters, but is common for a name to be used for both sexes.

Catfolk (5e Race) Traits

Catfolk is a broad term for humanoid Cat people with many variations and traits *note, Tabaxi are under the Catfolk umbrella, but are listed elsewhere as their own race*

Size

A Catfolk's size and weight will usually depend on their particular subrace. They can be anywhere from two and a half to eight feet tall, with weight ranging from 25-250 lbs respectively. Unless stated otherwise by your subrace, your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

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, and in Darkness, as if it where dim light. You cannon discern color in Darkness, only shades of grey.

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 1d4 + Dex, and it deals slashing damage instead of bludgeoning damage.

Feline Empathy

You can attempt to communicate simple ideas with other feline creatures, such as cats, lions, tigers, etc. A non-humanoid feline can: understand simple ideas, answer yes/no questions, convey simple ideas, give information biased on its natural behavior or knowledge, etc. If the creature is neutral or friendly to you, it will answer truthfully to the best of its ability.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Feline. Feline is the language of Catfolk, and a primitive version is spoken between non-humanoid feline races (cats, lions, tigers, lynx, etc.). In its written form, Feline uses symbols and basic pictures to convey ideas. It does not have a letter or character system like other languages.

Catlike Tread

Your soft paws, and gentle step give you proficiency with the Stealth skill.

Catlike Reflexes

Your natural swiftness and instincts make you quick on your feet. You may add half your proficiency bonus, rounded down, to your initiative rolls. 

Feline Frame

Your body and proportions are humanoid, but share strong catlike quirks. As such, you are not proficient in Armor that is not made for you, or not made by other Catfolk. Armor made specially for you has the Catfolk modifier added to it (e.g. Catfolk studded leather), and the price is increased by 1.3x (e.g. Catfolk Leather Armor would cost 13gp, as opposed to 10gp). Other races, excluding Tabaxi, are not proficient in Catfolk Armor, and may not wear it effectively. Adapting normal Armor for your use is not a difficult task, any blacksmith or armor merchant (etc.) can complete the necessary modifications in 1-3 hours. Additionally, any player with an applicable tool proficiency, may attempt a DC 10 tool use to modify the Armor. On a success the armor gains the Catfolk modifier. On a failure, the Armor is not damaged, but the changes where not adequately completed. Additionally material equal to 0.3x the original price of the armor must be purchased to attempt this check again.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 1. 

Age

Catfolk reach adulthood in their teens, and usually live between 150-250 years.

Alignment

Catfolk are usually a free spirited people and tend towards neutral and/or chaotic alignments. Most Catfolk people will fall somewhere into NG, CG, NN, CN. A player may choose any alignment for their Catfolk.

Subrace

You are a member of a myriad of distinct breeds of Catfolk. Choose one of the subraces listed below, or the Catfolk Variant.