Homebrew Half-Leonin Species Details

The half-leonin are an exotic off-shoot of the leonin followers of the gods; choosing willingly to indulge in other cultures rather than their own.

Lacking in their full desire of isolationism and strong will, with exceptions, the half-leonin people assimilate into societies around the world in an effort to prove their difference in heritage from the prides.

Still, some half-leonin wonder what changes to Oresko would assure the eventual cultural diffusion of leonin prides into a new society.

Confidence and Dexterity

Half-Leonin tend to be tall compared to normal humans and move with a boldness that suggests their physical might. Fur covers their entire body but retains the same shape of a humanoid muscular form, and some grow thick manes ranging in shades from gold to black. While their hands prove as nimble as those of other humanoids, half-leonin possess retractable claws like their pure kin, which they can extend instantly. This, along with their relations to the prides of Oresko, are enough to provide half-leonin an air of strength and fierceness not seen by other humanoids. Half-Leonin often act with confidence and boldness, which can come off as arrogant or bashful. While this can reassure their allies, it can also suggest defiance in the face of what they perceive as imposed authority or unworthy experts. However, they are not without their half-human resilience and compassion.

Diplomacy over Destruction

Other peoples often perceive leonin as quick to take offense, intolerant of criticism, or belligerent. The half-leonin people are the attempt to falsify such claims and display a healthier alternative to arrogance. With their half-human heritage, it follows, too, that they aren’t inclined to carry grudges and will even assist their previous quarrels. A warrior might react with sudden violence to an insult, but when an ally or an innocent is on the line, the insult is forgotten until the more important priorities are finished.

Humanitarianism and Tradition

Few leonin devote themselves to the service of the gods. Centuries ago, the leonin worshiped the same gods that humans do, but after many of their prides suffered depravities at the hands of the tyrant Agnomakhos, most leonin rejected the gods. It’s not that they deny the existence of deities; they merely see the gods as mercurial and ultimately unworthy of adoration. The Leonin and the Gods table suggests the range of attitudes that leonin might adopt toward the gods. Most half-leonin follow the same beliefs as their heritage or prides, but some will still find solace in other gods than what their original ancestors believed in prior to the depravities of Agnomakhos.

Half-Leonin break the code of their original prides (with certain exceptions) and fully embrace the ideals of selflessness and dependence on other beings. While their pureblood counterpart believes in self-reliance, the half-human addition happily takes after being compassionate and cooperative at any means.

Half-Leonin and the Gods

d6	Attitude
1	I’m amused by the antics of the gods and their earnest, but ultimately deluded, mortal champions, and I feel smugly superior in my detachment.
2	The meddling of the gods in mortal affairs makes me angry and bitter. I wish they would just leave us all alone!
3	I view the gods as worthy adversaries—incredibly clever and well-prepared to play a long game but ultimately doomed to lose their games.
4	I’m certain every bad thing that happens can ultimately be blamed on the gods, but I roll my eyes at each new twist of fate and try to get on with my life.
5	I wish that I could be as naive as humanoids and other mortals who actually think the gods are looking out for them. I miss that kind of innocence.
6	I don’t talk about it among other prides, but I actually revere the gods and try to please them by my actions.

Half-Leonin Names

Along with their personal names, half-leonin also take on names from their heritage or of their past prides. An ex-member of the Flintclaw pride with the personal name of Ziore, for example, would likely style herself as Ziore of the Old Flintclaw.

Female Names: Aletha, Atagone, Demne, Doxia, Ecate, Eriz, Gragonde, Iadma, Koila, Oramne, Seza, Ziore

Male Names: Apto, Athoz, Baragon, Bryguz, Eremoz, Gorioz, Grexes, Oriz, Pyxathor, Teoz, Xemnon, Xior

Pride Names: Embereye, Flintclaw, Goldenfield, Ironmane, Starfeller, Sunguides

Half-Leonin Traits

Your half-leonin character has the following racial traits.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Half-Leonin mature and age at about the same rate as humans.

Alignment

Half-Leonin tend toward good alignments. Half-Leonin who are focused on the pride lean toward lawful good, while those more integrated to society lean towards neutral good.

Size

Half-Leonin are typically cresting 6 feet tall, with some standing up to 7 feet tall. Your size is Medium.

Here’s how to determine your height and weight randomly, starting with rolling a size modifier:

Size modifier = 1d10

Height = 5 feet + 6 inches + your size modifier in inches

Weight in pounds = 180 + (2d6 × your size modifier)

Speed

Your base walking speed is 35 feet.

Darkvision

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.

Claws

Your claws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you can deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Hunter’s Instincts

You have proficiency in one of the following skills of your choice: Athletics, Intimidation, Perception, or Survival.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Leonin, and a Language of your choice.