Homebrew Bynturii Species Details

A distant cousin of the Tabaxi, while the former appear as anthropomorphic felines, Bynturii resemble humaniod binturongs.  With a solid, muscular build, Bynturii typically stand between 5' and 5'8" tall, with only the very tallest reaching 6', and typically weigh between 120 to 170lbs.  Their fur is typically grey around their short muzzled face, which resembles a cross between a cat and a ferret, and blends to a black and grey fur along their body.  They are well adapted to their semi-arboreal life, with both strong climbing claws and a long prehensile tail, which help them along the rope bridges and branch paths connecting various parts of their villages which are built into the largest trees of the cannopies of their forest homes.  Bynturii also produce a slight musk which makes them smell faintly of sweet cornbread or kettle-cooked popcorn.  Bynturii tend to live longer than humans, frequently seeing their 300th year before "becoming one with the forests again".

The Bynturii culture is one of harmony with their surroundings, with their villages merging into the larger trees of their forests.  While they do engage in some minor metal-smithing, most of their crafts consist of weaving, cooking, herbalism, and the cultivation of food plans and herbs in arboreal gardens ranging in size from simple container gardens scattered around the village, to large growing plots stretching between two or more trees.  They are a reasonably gregarious race, known to attempt to befriend their neighbors, and frequently trade with Tabaxi, Elves, Humans or other races which live in or near to their forests for metal or ceramic items, in exchange for the beautiful textiles and rare herbs that the Bynturii produce.  Despite their tendancies toward being homebodies, it is not unusual for Bynturii to give in to their curiosity and wanderlust for several decades, and travel to see the world as adventurers, herbalists and (surprisingly frequently) as sailors.

Bynturii Traits

While not as fast as their Tabaxi cousins, Bynturii are agile climbers, with strong claws, and a prehensile tail.

Ability Score Increase

Due to the Bynturiis' arboreal and trading culture, your Strength increases by 2, and your Charisma increases by 1.

Age

Bynturii age slower than Humans or their Tabaxi cousins, coming of age at 20 years, and frequently living until 300 years old.

Alignment

Community and group oriented, as well as tending toward honesty, Bynturii are rarely Evil or Chaotic, with most tending toward Good and/or Neutral, but can be of any Alignment.

Size

Bynturii are roughly the same height as many humans, if frequently a bit stockier.  Your size is Medium.

Speed

At home in the forest, your Walking speed is 30 feet, while your Climbing speed is 20 feet.

Darkvision

You have a binturong's keen senses, especially in the dark. 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.

Binturong Claws

Because of your claws, you have a climbing speed of 20 feet. In addition, your claws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Prehensile Tail

Bynturii possess a fully prehensile tail, that while not able to fully support the their full weight, does provide assistance in climbing (advantage on climbing Atheletics and Acrobatics checks), can carry items up to 20lbs, and can perform crude item manipulations (turning a door knob, grabbing a keyring off a guard's belt, etc, but no writing or other fine manipulation).  Attacks performed with a weapon held by the tail are done at a disadvantage.

 

Arboreal Life

Due to their arboreal lifestyle, Bynturii are proficient in Athletics and Survival.

Languages

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