Catfolk

For more information on all races, see: Races

Catfolk, otherwise known as tabaxi in their tongue, are a race of natural explorers who rarely tire of trailblazing, but such trailblazing is not limited merely to the search for new horizons in distant lands. Many catfolk see personal growth and development as equally valid avenues of exploration. While most catfolk are nimble, capable, and often active creatures, there is also a strong tendency among some catfolk to engage in quiet contemplation and study. Such individuals are interested in finding new solutions to age-old problems and questioning even the most steadfast philosophical certainties of the day. They are curious by nature, and catfolk culture never discourages inquisitiveness, but rather fosters and encourages it. Many are seen as quirky extroverts by members of other races, but within catfolk tribes there is no shame attached to minor peculiarities, eccentricities, or foolhardiness. All but the most inwardly focused catfolk enjoy being the center of attention, but not at the expense of their tribe, whether it's the one the catfolk are born into or the tribe they choose through the bonds of friendship with other creatures. Catfolk tend to be both generous and loyal to their family and friends.

Basic Information

Anatomy

In general, catfolk are lithe and slender, standing midway between dwarves and humans in stature. While clearly humanoid, they possess many feline features, including a coat of soft fine fur, slit pupils, and a sleek, slender tail. Their ears are pointed, but unlike those of elves, are more rounded and catlike. They manipulate objects as easily as any other humanoid, but their fingers terminate in small, sharp, retractable claws. These claws are typically not powerful enough to be used as weapons, but some members of the species—either by quirk of birth or from years of honing—can use them with deadly effect. Feline whiskers are not uncommon, but not universal, and hair and eye color vary greatly.

Additional Information

Social Structure

While self-expression is an important aspect of catfolk culture, it is mitigated by a strong sense of community and group effort. In the wild, catfolk are a hunter-gatherer tribal people. The pursuit of personal power never comes before the health and wellbeing of the tribe. More than one race has underestimated this seemingly gentle people only to discover much too late that their cohesion also provides them great strength.
Catfolk prefer to be led by their most competent members, usually a council of sub-chieftains chosen by their peers, either though consensus or election. The sub-chiefs then choose a chieftain to lead in times of danger and to mediate disputes among the sub-chiefs. The chieftain is the most capable member of the tribe, and is often magically talented. Catfolk who settle in more urban and civilized areas still cling to a similar tribal structure, but often see friends outside the tribe, even those from other races, as part of their extended tribe. Within adventuring groups, catfolk who do not consider themselves the obvious choice as chieftain often defer to the person who most resembles their cultural ideal of a chieftain.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Male Names: Carruth, Drewan, Ferus, Gerran, Nyktan, Rouqar, Zithembe.
Female Names: Alyara, Duline, Hoya, Jilyana, Milah, Miniri, Siphelele, Tiyeri.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Adaptable and curious, catfolk get along with almost any race that extends reciprocal goodwill. They acclimate easily to halflings, humans, and especially elves. Catfolk and elves share a passionate nature, as well as a love of music, dance, and storytelling; elven communities often gently mentor catfolk tribes, though such elves are careful not to act in a patronizing manner toward their feline friends. Gnomes make natural companions for catfolk, as catfolk enjoy gnomes' strange and obsessive qualities. Catfolk are tolerant of kobolds as long as the reptilian beings respect the catfolk's boundaries. The feral nature of orcs stirs as much puzzlement as it does revulsion among catfolk, as they don't understand orcs' savagery and propensity for self-destruction. Half-orcs, on the other hand, intrigue catfolk, especially those half-orcs who strive to excel beyond the deleterious and hateful nature of their savage kin. Catfolk often view goblins and ratfolk as vermin, as they disdain the swarming and pernicious tendencies of those races.

Subraces

Lionfolk (Leonin)

Prides of these nomadic, lion-like humanoids rarely interact with other peoples, having all they need in their golden plains and knowing the treachery of strangers. Still, some leonin wonder what lies beyond their secular prides and seek to test themselves in a wider world.

Typical Alignment: Any Lawful
Ability Modifiers: +2 Strength, +2 Constitution, -2 Wisdom
Lion's Tenacity: Once per day when a leonin attempts a Fortitude saving throw, they can roll the saving throw twice and take the better result. They must decide to use this ability before the saving throw is attempted. This trait alters Cat's Luck.
Average Height: 5 ft. 7 in. – 6 ft. 8 in.
Average Weight: 170 – 230 lbs.

Alternate Racial Traits

Replaces Cat's Luck, Sprinter

Jungle Stalker

Catfolk often live in deeply forested terrain, and they have become naturally sure-footed to maintain their hunting prowess in these dangerous environments. Such catfolk gain a +2 racial bonus on Acrobatics checks and can ignore the first square of difficult terrain caused by foliage each round. This racial trait replaces Cat’s Luck and Sprinter.

Replaces Low-Light Vision

Scent

Some catfolk favor a keen sense of smell over sensitive sight. Catfolk with this racial trait gain the scent ability. This racial trait replaces the Low-Light Vision racial trait.

Replaces Natural Hunter

Cat's Claws

Some catfolk have stronger and more developed claws than other members of their race, and can use them to make attacks. Catfolk with this racial trait have a pair of claws they can use as natural weapons. These claws are primary attacks that deal 1d4 points of slashing damage. This racial trait replaces Natural Hunter.

Clever Cat

Catfolk’s generally friendly disposition doesn’t preclude craftiness. Some of them see social obstacles as games to be played and won. These catfolk receive a +2 racial bonus on Bluff, Diplomacy, and Sense Motive checks. This racial trait replaces Natural Hunter.

Curiosity

Catfolk are naturally inquisitive about the world around them, though some are more curious than others. Such catfolk gain a +4 bonus on Diplomacy checks to gather information, and Knowledge (History) and Knowledge (Local) are always class skills for them. If they choose a class that has either of these Knowledge skills as class skills, they gain a +2 racial bonus on those skills instead. This racial trait replaces Natural Hunter.

Replaces Sprinter

Climber

Catfolk hunters excel at hunting prey from trees and other high vantage points. Catfolk with this racial trait possess a climb speed of 20 feet (along with the +8 racial bonus on Climb checks a climb speed affords). This racial trait replaces Sprinter.

Nimble Faller

Some catfolk have an amazing sense of balance and keen knowledge of their own center of gravity. Catfolk with this trait land on their feet even when they take lethal damage from a fall. Furthermore, catfolk with this trait gain a +1 bonus to their CMD against trip maneuvers. This racial trait replaces Sprinter.

Daunting Roar (Leonin Only)

The battle-cry of the ferocious leonin prides is enough to dampen any opponent's morale. Once per day, as a standard action, the leonin lets out an especially menacing roar. Creatures of their choice within 10 feet of them that can hear them must succeed on a Will saving throw or become shaken until the end of their next turn. The DC of the save equals 10 + 1/2 the leonin's hit die + the leonin's Charisma modifier. This racial trait replaces Sprinter.

Favored Class Options

Instead of receiving an additional skill rank or hit point whenever they gain a level in a favored class, catfolk have the option of choosing from a number of other bonuses, depending upon their favored class. The following options are available to all catfolk who have the listed favored class.

• Alchemist: Gain 1/6 of a bonus discovery.
• Bard: Add +1/2 to the bard’s bardic knowledge bonus.
• Bloodrager: Add 1 foot to the bloodrager’s base speed. In combat, this has an effect only for every five increases in base speed. This bonus stacks with the bloodrager’s fast movement class feature, and applies under the same conditions as that feature.
• Cavalier: Add +1/4 to the cavalier’s banner bonus.
• Druid: Add +1 hit points to the druid’s animal companion. If the druid ever replaces her animal companion, the new animal companion gains these bonus hit points.
• Hunter: Gain 1/6 of a bonus teamwork feat.
• Inquisitor: Add 1/2 to the inquisitor’s track bonus.
• Investigator: Add 1 to the bonus provided to a single skill (maximum +2) by inspiration. This skill must be one the investigator can already apply inspiration to. The investigator can select a different skill each level.
• Medium: Add 1/3 to the result of any spirit surge die that the medium rolls.
• Monk: Add 1/2 to the monk’s damage rolls with claw attacks and claw blades. A monk who selects this bonus at 1st level also treats claw blades as a monk weapon. If he is an unchained monk, he can use his style strikes with unarmed strike or claw blade attacks.
• Oracle: Add one spell known from the oracle spell list. This spell must be at least one level below the highest spell level the oracle can cast.
• Ranger: Choose a weapon from the following list: claws, kukri, longbow, longsword, short spear, or shortbow. Add +1/2 on critical hit confirmation rolls made while using that weapon (maximum bonus of +4). This bonus does not stack with Critical Focus.
• Rogue: Add a +1/2 bonus on Bluff checks to feint and Sleight of Hands checks to pickpocket.
• Shaman: Add 1/6 to the shaman’s class level for the purpose of determining the effects of one hex.
• Shifter: Add 1/5 to the damage dealt when using the shifter claws ability.
• Slayer: Add 1/3 to the result of any sneak attack damage that the slayer deals after all sneak attack damage dice have been totaled.
• Sorcerer: Select one bloodline power at 1st level that is normally usable a number of times equal to 3 + the sorcerer’s Charisma modifier. The sorcerer adds + 1/2 to the number of uses per day of that bloodline power.

Racial Traits

+2 Dexterity, +2 Charisma, –2 Wisdom
Catfolk are sociable and agile, but often lack common sense.

Catfolk
Catfolk are humanoids with the catfolk subtype.

Medium
Catfolk are Medium creatures and have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.

Normal Speed
Catfolk have a base speed of 30 feet.

Low-Light Vision
Catfolk can see twice as far as humans in conditions of dim light.

Cat’s Luck
Once per day when a catfolk attempts a Reflex saving throw, he can roll the saving throw twice and take the better result. He must decide to use this ability before the saving throw is attempted.

Natural Hunter
Catfolk receive a +2 racial bonus on Perception, Stealth, and Survival checks.

Sprinter
Catfolk gain a 10-foot racial bonus to their speed when using the charge, run, or withdraw actions.

Languages
Catfolk begin play speaking Common and Catfolk. Catfolk with high Intelligence scores can choose from the following languages: Elven, Gnoll, Gnomish, Goblin, Halfling, Orcish, and Sylvan.

Average Lifespan
80 years

Average Height
5 ft. 0 in. – 6 ft. 2 in.

Average Weight
130 – 180 lbs.