Homebrew Half-Elf Tabaxi Species Details

“I remember seeing one for the very first time. Had to look twice. Thought my eyes were deceiving me. Elves don’t normally mingle with races, but have you ever heard of a union between them and the catfolk? I certainly hadn’t. But I won’t forget that encounter. Girl had had keen eyes for wares and the wits of a Devil. Definitely lost coin that day.”

— Ulfgar Torunn, dwarven shopkeep

Elves are constantly evolving and are known to adapt to all kinds of circumstances. Although it is a very rare occurrence, some have managed to procreate with Tabaxi. Their offspring inherit traits from both parents, but usually one side is more predominant than the other. A half-elf tabaxi gains physical abilities from their catlike parents as well as the elegance of elves.

First of Their Kind

The half-elf tabaxi are a new breed of creatures, even if their parent races have existed for a long time. Some speculate that this hybrid race already existed for decades and simply decided to live far away from most societies, hidden away from the world's sight. But in recent years more and more were seen walking the streets of larger cities and villages. There's the possibility you've encountered one without even noticing, as it is easy for them to disguise as elves if they hide their ears under a hood and their tail in their pants.

More Cat Than Tabaxi

Even if tabaxi are generally known as catfolk, most of them would probably resent being compared to a simple cat. The half-elf tabaxi on the other hand resemble those animals a lot more. They've lost most of their tabaxi features and became more elven. Some don't have a single patch of fur on their body or completly lost their claws. What still remains are their instincts and natural ability to move with grace and composure. Most would describe them as serene and delicate.

Eager to Explore and Learn

Being part elven and part tabaxi, it's natural for them to develop a strong wanderlust. The world has a lot to offer and half-elf tabaxi would like to see every facet of it. They value experiences over coin and tend to be more inclined to take risks. Depending on the individual, some half-elf tabaxi enjoy learning from books as much as first-hand experiences. It's hard to guess their motivation as they tend to be as complex as their elven ancestors when it comes to reasoning.

Loyal Companions

Some half-tabaxi may be hard to convince, but once someone earned their trust, they're going to be loyal friends for life. They prefer travelling with groups of people and know that strength doesn't lie in numbers, but in unity. Therefore most try to get along with everyone around them. Even if they dislike an individual, they try to perceive them as a friendly rival rather than an enemy. 

Half-Elf Tabaxi Names

 

 

Naming conventions haven't been fully established for this rare race, but most seem to carry two names. One of which is derived from their human parent's side to align with whatever is culturally appropriate in their homeland. The other name hailes from the Tabaxi side but isn't as complex as a full Tabaxi's name. While it usually is a string of words that is based on astrology, prophecy, clan history and other esoteric factors, a half-tabaxi often adopts the nickname of their parent or something that relates to it. The following list shows human first names of different cultures as well as Tabaxi nicknames including their parent's nickname in parenthesis.

Elven Names: (Male) Adran, Aelar, Aramil, Arannis, Aust, Beiro, Berrian, Carric, Enialis, Erdan, Erevan, Galinndan, Hadarai, Heian, Himo, Immeral, Ivellios, Laucian, Mindartis, Paelias, Peren, Quarion, Riardon, Rolen, Soveliss, Thamior, Tharivol, Theren, Varis (Female) Adrie, Althaea, Anastrianna, Andraste, Antinua, Bethrynna, Birel, Caelynn, Drusilia, Enna, Felosial, Ielenia, Jelenneth, Keyleth, Leshanna, Lia, Meriele, Mialee, Naivara, Quelenna, Quillathe, Sariel, Shanairra, Shava, Silaqui, Theirastra, Thia, Vadania, Valanthe, Xanaphia
Nicknames: Beryl (Emerald) Cyan (Teal) Lightning (Thunder), Mist (Cloud) Twig (Bough)

Half-Elf Tabaxi Traits

Half-elf Tabaxi have a number of interesting abilities, each of them giving your character an advantage in nearly every situation.

Size

Half-Elf Tabaxi tend to be more slight of build, leaner, and taller than humans. Your size is medium. 

Speed

Your base walking speed is 40 feet. 

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 3 and Charisma increases by 2. 

Superior Hearing

You have cat ears protruding vertically from where normal elven ears would. You have proficiency in the Perception and an advantage on Perception checks that rely on hearing. 

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Elvish, and one other language of your choice. 

Racial Bonuses

Each half-elf Tabaxi has either more elven or tabaxi traits. 

They all have retractable claws, however only more animalistic half-elf tabaxi have either cat eyes, a cat nose, whiskers, or fur on their hands and feet. 

Animalistic half-elf tabaxi have longer tails than their cultured counterparts, and they also act more catlike. 

Cultured half-elf tabaxi are more like Elves, and it would be easy to pass one up for an elf if their tail and ears were hidden. 

Age

Half-elf tabaxi live to be around 180, and reach maturity around the same time as their tabaxi ancestors. 

Alignment

As most catfolk and elves, half-elf tabaxi lean heavily towards chaotic alignments. Whether they are good, evil, or anything in between depends on their upbringing. 

Darkvision

Accustomed to twilit forests and the night sky as well as having superior catlike eyes, you have superior vision in dark and 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 were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.