Tabaxi

Whisperfolk; Wandering Paws; Children of the Fayhollow Peaks
Hailing from a strange and distant land, wandering tabaxi are catlike humanoids driven by curiosity to collect interesting artifacts, gather tales and stories, and lay eyes on all the world's wonders. Ultimate travelers, the inquisitive tabaxi rarely stay in one place for long. Their innate nature pushes them to leave no secrets uncovered, no treasures or legends lost.
Tabaxi’s appearance is as varied as their attitudes. Some tabaxi have features or patterning in their fur like tigers, jaguars, or other big cats, while others have appearances more like a house cat. Still others have unique patterns or might style their fur to their preferences — or might even be hairless!

Basic Information

Anatomy

Tabaxi are humanoid felines with a striking resemblance to large cats, such as panthers, tigers, and cheetahs. Their slender frames are covered in soft fur, which can range from solid colors to intricate patterns of spots or stripes. Tabaxi have pointed, mobile ears; long, expressive tails; and retractable claws, which they use for climbing and combat. Their eyes are large, luminous, and capable of excellent low-light vision.

Genetics and Reproduction

Tabaxi reproduce similarly to humans, with a gestation period of approximately six months. Their offspring are born with a fine coat of fur and begin walking earlier than human children. Fur patterns are hereditary but can exhibit significant variation within family lines, reflecting their diverse ancestry.

Ecology and Habitats

Tabaxi thrive in mountainous and forested regions, such as Fayhollow in the Obsidian Peaks. They integrate seamlessly with their environment, carving intricate homes into cliffsides while maintaining a deep respect for the natural world. Their nomadic origins instill a love of exploration, even as they settle in structured communities.

Behaviour

Tabaxi are intensely curious, drawn to uncovering secrets, stories, and artifacts. This curiosity often makes them excellent scholars, adventurers, and diplomats. While they are typically social, their sense of individuality is strong, and they can be fiercely independent. Impulsiveness and a tendency to focus on the present are common traits, balanced by a natural charisma and adaptability.

Additional Information

Average Intelligence

Above average, with a particular aptitude for learning languages, solving puzzles, and storytelling.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Tabaxi possess heightened senses, especially sight and hearing. They excel in detecting movement and sound, even at great distances. Their whiskers and finely tuned reflexes grant them exceptional balance and spatial awareness.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Tabaxi names are poetic and descriptive, reflecting their traits or accomplishments. Examples include Whispering Breeze, Shadowed Fang, or Flickering Ember. They often adopt shorter names or nicknames for everyday interactions.

Beauty Ideals

Tabaxi value sleek fur, symmetrical patterns, and graceful movements. Piercings, beads, or jewelry incorporated into their fur or whiskers are considered attractive, as they highlight individuality and creativity.

Gender Ideals

Tabaxi society is egalitarian, with roles determined by talent and inclination rather than gender. Both males and females participate equally in leadership, trade, and exploration.

Courtship Ideals

Courtship is playful and often involves storytelling, gift-giving, or collaborative creation, such as crafting a shared piece of art. Subtle displays of agility and intelligence are also common methods of attraction.

Relationship Ideals

Tabaxi value companionship based on mutual respect and shared curiosity. While they often form strong bonds, they also appreciate personal space and independence, leading to relationships that are flexible and adaptable.

Common Etiquette Rules

Tabaxi prize politeness and attentiveness in conversation. Interrupting or showing disinterest is seen as disrespectful. Physical gestures, such as touching tails or brushing whiskers, are reserved for close friends or family.

Common Dress Code

Clothing is minimal and functional, designed to allow freedom of movement. Decorative sashes, cloaks, and jewelry made from mountain resources like obsidian or quartz are common.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Tabaxi culture revolves around storytelling and exploration. Every Tabaxi keeps a personal journal or "scroll of wonders" to document their discoveries, ensuring their experiences are shared with future generations.

• Festival of Fangs: A yearly celebration honoring their journey from wanderers to a unified community in Fayhollow.
• Scroll Ceremony: A coming-of-age ritual where young Tabaxi present their first completed journal to their elders.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

Festival of the Roaming Wind Date: 2nd Sylvara 
Overview: The Festival of the Roaming Wind is a lively and spirited holiday celebrated by the Tabaxi people of Astrium, particularly in their settlements scattered across the quarter of Feyhollow. This holiday honors the Tabaxi's nomadic roots, their wanderlust, and their belief in freedom, exploration, and the ever-changing nature of life. The day is filled with vibrant displays of agility, storytelling, and a deep connection to the winds that guide their journeys.
Traditions:
Windchaser's Race: The highlight of the festival is the Windchaser's Race, a series of challenging courses that wind through the mountainous regions where the Tabaxi reside. Competitors test their agility, speed, and climbing skills, racing along narrow cliff paths, leaping between rocks, and using their natural dexterity to overcome obstacles. The race is a testament to the Tabaxi's physical prowess and their deep connection to the wind, which they believe guides their steps. Winners are celebrated as the "Wind's Favorite" for the year, earning great respect among their peers.
Tales on the Breeze: As the day progresses, the Tabaxi gather in small circles to engage in the Tales on the Breeze, a storytelling tradition where they share the tales of their travels, adventures, and the many lands they've visited. These stories are often filled with excitement, danger, and mystery, with each storyteller vying to outdo the others with the most fascinating or humorous tale. The best storyteller is given the title of "Voice of the Wind" for the year, a role that holds great prestige within the Tabaxi community.
The Wanderer's Market: During the festival, a Wanderer’s Market is set up where Tabaxi from distant lands and those who have recently returned from journeys abroad sell and trade the exotic treasures they've collected. The market is filled with rare artifacts, curious trinkets, colorful textiles, and unique spices from all across Astrium and beyond. It's a bustling place of trade, where stories are shared as eagerly as goods, and the spirit of exploration is alive in every transaction.
Sky Lantern Release: At dusk, the Tabaxi gather for the Sky Lantern Release, a serene and symbolic ritual where they light paper lanterns and release them into the sky. Each lantern represents a personal goal or dream for the year ahead, and the Tabaxi believe the wind will carry their wishes to the gods. As the lanterns drift into the night sky, it creates a stunning display of flickering lights, with the wind scattering them across the horizon, mirroring the Tabaxi’s scattered but united nature.
Dance of the Whirling Winds: The evening is marked by the Dance of the Whirling Winds, an energetic and fast-paced dance that mimics the unpredictable nature of the wind. Tabaxi performers spin, leap, and twirl in time with lively music, their movements reflecting the grace and freedom they value so highly. The dance is a celebration of life’s unpredictability and the joy of the journey, not the destination. The audience often joins in, creating a swirling mass of Tabaxi moving in harmony with the wind.
Feast of Windswept Tastes: The festival ends with the Feast of Windswept Tastes, a communal meal that features dishes gathered from the various regions the Tabaxi have traveled. Foods are often spiced and fragrant, evoking the sense of distant lands and the adventures that brought them there. It’s a time for Tabaxi families and friends to come together, share their spoils, and bond over their shared experiences. Special emphasis is placed on foods that can be eaten on the move, honoring the nomadic spirit of their people.
Significance: The Festival of the Roaming Wind is a celebration of freedom, exploration, and the Tabaxi’s unyielding connection to the winds that guide them. It reminds the Tabaxi people of their wandering nature, the excitement of the unknown, and the thrill of discovery. It’s a day that celebrates their physical abilities, their love of storytelling, and their belief that the wind carries them toward their destinies. Through this festival, the Tabaxi reaffirm their identity as explorers and adventurers, honoring the wind that pushes them ever onward.

Common Taboos

• Disrespecting a story or tale, especially by interrupting or dismissing its value.
• Damaging natural landmarks, which Tabaxi view as sacred.

History

The Tabaxi were part of the races that were found be part of the "stray races" humanoids that were left untrusted following the events of the Pandora War. After many centuries of nomadic travel, they did eventually settle with the rest of the stray races in the Lustrum Township, now known as the Lustrum Metropolis, settling in the mountain tops of a settlement they called Feyhollow.
Today, Tabaxi are apart of the Lustrum Council, who endeavour to make sure more and more races have their say in terms of equality for all of astrium.

Common Myths and Legends

The Eternal Prowler: A mythical Tabaxi who roams the stars, guiding lost wanderers back to their path. The Obsidian Sentinel: A tale of a guardian spirit protecting Fayhollow from invaders, said to be a mountain lion of living stone. The Golden Paw: A legend of a Tabaxi hero who used their wit to outsmart a dragon, earning the respect of all races in Astrium.

Scientific Name

Homo Flelis Curiosa

Lifespan

70-80 years

Average Height

5'7" to 6'4"

Average Weight

120-160 pounds

Average Physique

Lean and agile, with builds optimized for speed and flexibility. Tabaxi are not physically imposing but can be deceptively strong.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Tabaxi fur comes in a range of colors and patterns, from jet black to golden with intricate rosettes or stripes. Unique markings are often a source of pride, and some Tabaxi paint or embellish their fur with natural dyes for ceremonial occasions.