Catfolk

Hunting & Stubborn Tradition

A tribal race who have remained largely steadfast in their old traditions. Stubbornly holding on to their traditions and "proven" beliefs. Unless those traditions are hurting the survivability of their tribes and friends, you will be hard-pressed to get a Catfolk to give up their past.   Nomadically moving across large stretches of land to chase the seasonal hunts, the Catfolk live to be hunters. Their lithe but compactly powerful bodies allow them to move with impressive grace, while their retractable claws give them the ability to dig deeply into surfaces. This allows them to climb and hide from the traditional ambush hunting tactics of the Catfolk people. They have garnered a reputation for being remarkably resilient trackers. Being able to pick up and stay on the trail of their targets for months.    

Worldly Pariah

The ancient tribes grew up on the bones of the @Gnam's smaller races. Hunting down the scattered packs of Gnomes, Goblins, and Halflings to near extinction before the races began to innovate. Slowly the tide of conflict shifted as the Catfolk refused to change their ways. Even as new weapons struck back against their tribes, kingdoms grew up around them, and other races condemned their brutal ways. Eventually, the majority of tribes were forced to change their ways to prevent the outright genocide of their people. However, their savage past was not forgotten by the Gnomes, who have done everything in their power to ensure the rest of the world doesn't forget either.    

Biological Traits

Lean and ranging from a height of 5' to 5' 8", the Catfolk have a natural athleticism to them. They walk upright on digitigrade legs using their long tails for balance. They do have extendable claws on their toes and fingers. Catfolk reproduce normally for mammals, and pregnancy in the mother lasts for 2 months. They usually have litters of 2-6 children at once. Reaching adulthood at age 10, Catfolk age gracefully. Remaining agile until the age of about 50 when their bodies and joints become more and more rigid.   While able to adapt to most locations, the most comfortable place for them is in warmer forested areas. Their settlements usually are composed of groupings of wooden or thatch huts. Areas they reside in are normally saturated with hunting alarms, not traps. Just things to draw attention to potential prey or intruders.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Younger Older of the Tribe: (Minx Water-Dancer of the Three-Stripe Tribe)   Younger: Given to immature Catfolk, named after common flora & fauna.   Older: Earned after their coming of age, two words that describe a talent or feat.   Tribe: Taken from the tribe they were raised from.   Younger Names (Children Names) Catfolk are given a simple name by their parents for the first 10-14 years of their lives. Usually named after some local flora or fauna. This name us rarely used by anyone other then close family after a Catfolk earns their older name.   Older names (Adult Names) are earned during a Catfolk's coming of age ceremony. Sometimes they are given by the tribe to the new man or women. However usually the one going through the ceremony will make the final decision on the name, or given themselves a name. An Older name is typically based on a talent they possess or a feat they have performed.   Tribe names (Last Names) come from the tribe that raised the Catfolk. This does not necessarily mean it is the tribe they were born into. Just the one that raised them. This means children may not share the tribe name of their parents if they transitioned tribes. Displaced Catfolk without proper tribes sometimes keep this tradition alive by taking on a tribe name based on the settlement they grew up in.  

Example Names (Younger Older of Tribe)

  • Jay Moon-Watcher of City Ursto Ya Vino
  • Minx Tree-Tamer of Tribe Onyx Tail
  • Bark Blade-Singer of Tribe Three Stripe
  • Tiger Crazy-Fangs of Tribe Red Coat
  • Robin Leaf-Whistler of Tribe Long Fang

Gender Ideals

There is a great competitive nature within these people. The urge to hunt and outdo each other has left little in the way of difference between genders. Those who are viewed as care takers strictly depends on who is determined to be the weakest.

Common Etiquette Rules

Things commonplace amongst the tribe is the respect of unit heads. You do not asks questions about a family other then to its head, you do not asks questions of a hunting party other then to its leader, and you do not ask questions about a tribe other then to its head. Doing so is the equivalence of talking behind someones back and is considered deceitful at best.   Of the many rude behaviors some of which are,
  • Extending your claws in the home or a public place
  • Lifting your tail in public
  • Baring your fangs in someone else's home
  • Not locking eyes with a new arrival
  • Offering unsolicited help to party member

Racial Traits

Ability Score Increases: You gain 2 to your Dexterity score.   Size: Medium   Speed: Your base walking speed is 30ft and your climb speed is 20ft.   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 only see in shades of grey in the darkness.   Pouncing Stride: When you Move you can double your Speed until the end of the turn. Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you Move 0 feet on one of your other turns.   Cat's Claws: 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 + Strength modifier.   Nine Lives: You can now choose to have Advantage on a Death Saving Throw. However you may only ever do this a total of 9 times in your characters lifetime. If you use this trait and roll two natural 20s, you are fully healed and wake up. If you use this trait and roll two natural 1s, you will die and Revivify cannot bring you back.   Default Language
Pafra
Origin/Ancestry
Gnam
Lifespan
10-70 years
Average Height
5' - 5' 8"
Average Weight
80lb - 120lbs

Subraces

  • Catfolk (Bukrum)
  • Catfolk (Firefolk)
  • Catfolk (Three-Stripe)