Tabaxi

Basic Information

Biological Traits

Despite being descended from mostly feral wildcats, Tabaxi can look like any kind of cat, big or small. Commonly, Tabaxi tend to look more like domestic cats or small wild cats; but Tabaxi can vary in appearances as wildly as regular cats, especially with Tabaxi from different territories.
Sunclan Tabaxi tend to be smaller and resemble short-haired domestic cats the most, but can also resemble sand cats, servals, cheetahs, etc. There are also lion and leopard Tabaxi that can trace their roots back to Sunclan, though these are slightly more rare; Sunclan tend towards lighter, more agile builds.
Treeclan Tabaxi tend to be physically larger and more inclined towards resembling big cats, like tigers and jaguars. Again, smaller cats certainly exist among them, but Treeclan tend towards more powerful builds for survival in the deep jungles of Myridia.
Dustclan Tabaxi are usually thick-furred and heavier set, but generally not as large as the Treeclan Tabaxi - resembling bobcats, lynx, cougars, snow leopards etc. Dustclan natives tend to be exposed to more extreme weather, and need to protect themselves accordingly.
Of course, any of these rules can be broken, but it's important to consider why that could be. A snow leopard-resembling cat belonging to Sunclan, for example, would have a difficult time in the intense desert heat – but, while a rarity, it isn't impossible.

Growth Rate & Stages

Tabaxi are considered kits until they reach 10 years old, and receive their true name on their 10th birthday. They are then considered adolescent until 25, and adults from 25 onwards.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Tabaxi are well-known for their keen sight and hearing, as well as their sense of smell, which makes them excellent hunters and trackers.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

(It's Warriors. It's the same as Warriors. I'm not being original here At All lmao.)
Rather than having a first name/surname structure, Tabaxi names usually follow a prefix-suffix format, with the prefix almost always remaining the same throughout their lives. Tabaxi are generally named after an identifying physical feature, an important place, or a feat they have accomplished in their lifetime.
Their names have the suffix -paw until their 10th birthday, upon which they are granted their "true name" - something of a misnomer, as their suffix may change with their life experience. For example, a kit born in a dense thicket of brambles might be named Bramblepaw, and then become Bramblepelt at his tenth birthday due to the distinct golden spotted colour of his fur.
Clan leaders will almost always take the suffix -star (e.g. Bramblestar). The -star suffix is reserved for this rank and no-one beneath it may use it.

Major Organizations

There are three main Tabaxi clans that most clans are offshoots from: the Sunclan in the desert of Cuerde, the Treeclan in the jungles of Myridia, and the Dustclan in Leach. Tabaxi from offshoot clans of these three will often return to their 'home' clans for festivals, events and reunions, but tend to be more free-roaming in general. Of course, there are also smaller independent clans scattered throughout Aezira, but Sunclan, Treeclan and Dustclan are the most established and well-known.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

The native tongue of all Tabaxi is Tabash, although the dialects vary distinctly between clans given that they have a wide geographical spread. Tabaxi who live in or near towns and cities will usually know at least basic Common for trading purposes.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

Tabaxi are a curious race as well as a new one, so many of their festivals and traditions have been borrowed and modified from older, more established races. Their culture is very mixed-and-matched – very few of their traditions are purely Tabaxi.

History

Tabaxi, like the Vulpera, are a race that only came about after the new world began. Tabaxi and Vulpera tend to get along well, and are often trade partners in their various territories.
Unlike Dryads, although their race is a result of the excess magic in the world, they are not innately tied to magic. Rather, they came about after various scattered clans of feral cats uncovered pools of dormant magic and, upon becoming exposed to it for long enough, gained sapience and humanoid-level intelligence.
Tabaxi have physically evolved quite rapidly since the dawn of the new world, taking on more humanoid traits as generations passed and bloodlines mixed with other humanoid races – but most, if not all Tabaxi still have an innate, cat-like curiosity that drives them in all they do. Many still live in tight-knit clan communities, preferring to keep to themselves away from the more advanced humanoid settlements, though it's not usually out of any distaste for the other races – it's simply because they can rarely stay tied to one place for too long.
That said, plenty of Tabaxi prefer a solitary life and/or life in the city - especially younger Tabaxi who find themselves yearning for something new, rather than the established traditions of the clans.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Tabaxi don't have a particular distaste for any other race, though there were a few minor scuffles between Tabaxi and Murin when both races were still fairly new - which is only to be expected given their original heritages - but nothing that couldn't ultimately be resolved without bloodshed.
Tabaxi and Vulpera tend to get along the best, and are often trade partners in their various territories. Their native languages, Tabash and Vulpen, are distinct from each other but share similar roots (much like Spanish and Portuguese).

Lifespan

50 years

Average Height

Around 4"-5", although there is plenty of variation depending on the original cats they descended from

Average Physique

Tabaxi physique usually varies by the climate in which they reside. Tabaxi from the winter climates are more inclined to be heavier-set with longer, fluffier fur, while Tabaxi from the desert are usually smaller and more lithe, with shorter fur to withstand the heat.

Geographic Distribution

• Aezira