The Marad

"Himaanskor Savannah Camp"

A large humanoid feline species that makes its home on the sweeping savannah of Boreas as well as its deep jungles, they are a very insular species that has two distinct cultural groups within it. They are not particularly warlike in either culture but they do not shy from combat. 
While the savannah dwelling Himaanskor have a family focused culture, moving in smaller family groups with their herds and following the hunting and grazing that they need while the more urbane Greninskor live solitary lives amidst the Jungle Gorgol. In their history they had wandered the jungles, rarely coming together even to breed. They still maintain a highly individualistic society though they do tend to live in small nuclear families more now than when they wandered the jungles thousands of years previously. 
Those who come from either culture bring an adeptness to magic to the table as well as a hardiness and ability to survive that is commendable and useful to whatever group they find themselves with.

Basic Information

Anatomy

These catlike humanoids typically stand seven feet tall with muscular frames and long limbs. They stand bipedal and are unable to comfortably run on all fours unlike their Eweoese kin.

Genetics and Reproduction

The Marad have a 18 month gestation period that often results in twins or triplets, single births are rare.

Dietary Needs and Habits

They are omnivorous with a distinct preference for meat.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Marad see very well in low light conditions, they are also very attuned to the winds of magic and nearly all are born with the capacity to use magic to some extent.

Civilization and Culture

Beauty Ideals

Beauty among the Marad has much to do with things such as tail length, fur texture and eye color. They do not tend to care very much about fur color or physicality though Himaanskor do favor stronger physiques more often than Greninskor, while the Greninskor might favor traits of kindness or intelligence more often though this is far from representative.

Relationship Ideals

Relationships are different depending on if one is a Himaanskor or a Greninskor. 
Himaanskor laud the deep relationships between families and they often have tales or legends surrounding adventures taken up by idealized friendships between Cousins, tales that often tell of bridging gaps between related families in ways that allow both groups to thrive without depending on each other.  These idealized Cousin friendships are gender neutral. They have no real concept of inequality between the sexes, a male is expected to be able to care for young as well as a female can hunt or vice versa. 
Greninskor prioritize relationships that allow the most freedom and individuality. They abhor the loss of agency, though within the bounds of a larger authority. Relationships that are unequal are seen as taboo at best, perversion at worst.

Average Technological Level

The Marad have never had a unified society, they adopt the technology of those cultures they live with or alongside of and with the Himaanskor, they only adopt what they deem to have a significant use and abhor what they see as "Frivilous" technology.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

The Marad have to distinct dialects of a distant mother tongue that are similar enough that Greninskor and Himaanskor can converse without much difficulty.

Common Dress Code

Himaanskor tend to wear simple garb that is made from the creatures they tend and hunt, incorporating leather and bone into their outfits. They do not go for colorful garb, instead saving their love for color and clash to the interior of their tents. They do have more flavorful garb that they wear within their tents, though still drab in color they create complex weaves and stitching that creates a more tactile experience than a visual one. 
Greninskor favor thick flowing robes when relaxing and utilitarian variations of clothing based on whatever task they are doing otherwise. Their is a cultural love for dark blues and greens that is seen in most of their clothing.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

The Marad are separated into two distinct cultures, the Himaanskor and the Greninskor that have superficial visual difference and can interbreed. There is a heavy respect for authority among both cultural groups. 
The Himaanskor are leonin and nomadic, wandering the great Savannah of Boreas mounted on mighty megafauna that they use to carry their lives between camps. They are insular, keeping to small family groups and rarely gathering in groups larger than three families. They have a a large respect for self sufficiency and a distrust of technology that does not serve a direct purpose towards ones survival. Their is a strong regard for family and hierarchy among these Marad, the Patriarch of a family having near limitless power over their relatives. 
The Greninskor share the deep jungles with the Gorgol that live there, maintaining a much more sedentary life intertwined with the other species that live in the Gorgols large hive cities. They readily use technology and tend to be healers and mediators among the densely packed cities, the ease by which they use magic helping them in keeping the friction to a minimum in the lives around them. They tend to be solitary creatures, rarely living in larger groups than a single family and even these tend to fracture once the children are grown with mated pairs living together being the most common. These Marad respect individuality most of all and delight in acts of creation or service that allows them to stand out.

Common Taboos

Marad of both major cultures do not see rejecting or revoking authority in a good light, regardless of the reason and it can be a damning cross to bear to be known as a rebellious or malcontent creature.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

The Marad can function well alongside other species, the Himaanskor are less likely to do so however. They are not a common sight outside of the Savannah on Boreas much less out in the greater territory of the Old Union Space. Greninskor are far more likely to be found alongside other species but parodoxically are less likely to be found outside of the Gorgol Hive Cities as their sedentary nature has them putting down relatively strong roots in their places of birth.

Marad Traits

The Marad are roughly synonymous with Leonin in D&D   
Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score increases by 1, your Strength score increases by 1, and your Wisdom score increases by 1
Age. Marad mature at the age of 12 and are considered adults at 15, they typically die of old age before 100 years of age. 
Alignment. Marad tend toward good alignments.
Size. Marad are typically over 6 feet tall, with some standing over 7 feet. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 35 feet.
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’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Claws. Your claws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you can deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier.
Hunter's Instincts. You have proficiency in one of the following skills of your choice: Athletics, Intimidation, Perception, or Survival.
Instinctual Weave: Marad are natural magic users and can choose 1 cantrip from any spellcasting class. The class list from which the spell is chosen dictates the spellcasting modifier for that spell. 
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Leonin

Scientific Name

Homo Panthera

Geographic Distribution

• Boreas

Marad off Boreas

Marad are rarely found off of Boreas, for either cultural group the thought of leaving does not hold much appeal. There are however outliers as well as those who were former Union of Gilnares Armed Forces who have found the life off Boreas to be more interesting than going back home. 
They are generally well accepted, they often keep to themselves and do not easily make friends and even those are rarely considered close. Marad are rare enough outside of Boreas that it is not unreasonable for entire cities to have never seen one. 

Marad in the Union of Gilnares

The Marad were discovered to be great scouts when the Expeditionary Force from the Union of Gilnares first landed and they were often hired as such. Though rare, Marad were given priority service if they could be convinced to serve in the Union Army and they would often lead special forces units when they did so or serve as a companies scouts. The union sees little distinction between the two cultures of Marad, which has lead to some interesting situations regarding living conditions and deployments. 
After the Dissolution, many Marad returned to Boreas but often felt out of place. These ones tend to stick to the major cities or leave again to find their way in the system that feels more familiar to them than their own home.