Homebrew Amba Mashli Species Details

The Amba Mashli are a race of humanoids who appear like humans, yet they have the tails, ears, teeth, eyes, and feet of other mammals, as well as cat-like noses. Often, they will have features resemble a wolf or big cat. The Amba Mashli live within their own communities in nature, often in forests or jungles, but sometimes even found in plains, swamps, mountains, and coastlines. These communities tend to differ from one another, but they all carry a caste and hierarchy system where the lowest ranking individuals, the Kaul, play the role of expendable citizens in large quantities. The caste above the Kaul, the Aeul, are simple workers who dedicate their lives to a single trade or task with pride. Above them are those of the Itul caste, who happen to live more of a luxurious life. Above that is the Ezul caste of those of high social power or status, only below the Ozul caste of highest social power and status, and Yuul at the very top and regarded as gods among the living. However, there are no living Yuul, and the only Yuul recorded have no strong proof of them existing or not. There are a few more castes, all of which detailed under race variants

The Amba Mashli are best with bows and spears, but have been known to dabble in nature magics. They have also been found to have strong senses of sight, hearing, and smell, as well as better eyesight in the dark than many other races. They can't perfectly see in the dark, but can still see where they are for the most part.

Their hair and fur always matches, often being colors ranging from black to orange or gold, however sometimes coming out a bit reddish orange, blueish, or light gray. Their eye colors tend to be greens, hazels, browns, and golds. Their skin tends to be a bit similar to their fur color, almost matching. Their ears are still on the sides of their head and resemble that of cows, their eyes resembling a cat's, noses resembling a cat, their teeth resembling a dog's but omnivorous. Their legs have fur and paws from the upper thigh down, the fur being higher on the outer thigh than the inner thigh and not covering the bikini area. Their tail rests right on top of their glutes, the fur on the tail starting close to the base and resembling that of a fox or wolf.

A member of this race is referred to as an Ambe Mashla if male, Ambe Mashlo if female, and Ambe Mashle if a child or sex unknown. They age at the same rate as humans, but usually only live up to 50 or 60. All names tend to follow Family Name then Given Name. Given Names tend to be two part with males having more A's and I's, females having more O's and U's. Some examples are Shuane Alo Andu, Uaci Edo Oulo, and Bidani Mamao Lu for females, Uobi Denda Dena, Bemba Shioli Bena, and Osulu Abi Inda for males. The letters Q, W, R, T, P, F, J, K, Z, X, V, and the sounds Th and Zh are almost never seen in names and are considered extremely unusual.

A young Ambe Mashle is called a Lele, teens are Olele, adults are Oaoa, and elders Oayua. Friends are seen as the same as family and are called Chuoga, biological family referred to as Chuobo  with La, Lo, Yula, Yulo, Lela, or Lelo at the end to indicate Father, Mother, Grandfather, Grandmother, Brother, or Sister. Uncles and aunts add Chula and Chulo. 

A few interesting facts about their biology. Their blood temperature naturally rises or drops to adapt to the temperature around them. However, they can only go so far. They still get very cold in blizzards or overheat in deserts. The Amba Mashli are unable to digest foods like nuts, roots, leafy greens, and most other vegetables, but can digest fruit and meat easily, as well as baked goods. Dairy will, however, give them gas. Another interesting trait of the Amba Mashli is that they can, essentially, shrink their genitals and breasts when they need to be more agile. They can also use a similar biological trick to make their muscles look a little bigger as they stand up a little taller, like a cat arching its back. This one is simply for intimidation, though.

Amba Mashli Traits

+2 Dexterity, +1 Wisdom, Enhanced Senses, Wild Ancestry, Predatory Habits, Panic Instinct

Enhanced Senses

With Enhanced Senses, one may use their sight, smell, and hearing to do much more than most. With their sense of smell, they may pick up scents from up to 50 feet away or further depending on weather. Their sight will allow them to see about 30 feet farther with clearer vision than humans and see somewhat well in the dark. Their hearing will allow them to pick up more sounds and hear from a greater distance. This adds +2 to your perception.

Wild Ancestry

Due to your ancestors having been wilderness dwellers, you are naturally adept at surviving in the wilderness. Great at finding places to rest on the ground or in trees, able to tell what fruit to eat or avoid and what animals might be edible, you find yourself having little trouble living off of the land. +2 to Survival.

Predatory Habits

Able to move nearly silently and smooth as a gentle stream, you are able to devote all of your attention and focus onto a single target, allowing yourself to land an unannounced attack upon unsuspecting prey. +2 to stealth

Panic Instinct

When considerably harmed, frightened by a threatening entity or object, or an otherwise scary situation, you will find yourself being pushed by a strong instinct to flee and hide to escape the danger.