Oneiros37
2017-04-04, 09:53 AM
Because there just aren't enough cat-folk races out there :smalltongue: , here are mine for review. I tried using the Musicus scale to rate them, and think I've got a solid 6 for this race - 3.5 for base, and 2 or 2.5 for each subrace. Some of the racial features are completely my own creation, so not sure if maybe they should be rated higher (or dropped). If these seem a little on the weak side, I might add Keen Senses (Perception proficiency) and a couple of weapon proficiencies to the base to round them out a bit.
The Arasi (uh-RAH-see) are a fierce race of feline humanoids inhabiting the islands of Marshak, southeast of Alabar. Fearsome and proud, they are the source of many legends among the peoples of the mainland.
Arasi Traits
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2.
Age. Arasi generally reach adulthood around twelve years of age, and live up to sixty years.
Alignment. Neutral
Size. Arasi range from 5 feet to over 6 and a half feet tall. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Cat's Grace. Your natural agility, aided by a tail to help your counter-balance, makes you proficient in Acrobatics. In addition, whenever you are about to take damage from falling, you may make a Dexterity (Acrobatics) check at DC 15. Success results in half damage, and you may tumble up to 10 feet away from your landing point, ending in an upright position rather than prone.
Claws. Because of your claws, you have a climb speed of 20 feet. In addition, 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 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal of an unarmed strike.
Darkvision. Used to hunting prey in the dark forests of Marshak at dusk and early dawn, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. 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.
Fear of Water. Arasi are simply not built for swimming, and they know it. You have disadvantage on Strength (Athletics) checks made for swimming.
Languages. You can speak Common and Arasi. Normally only Tal'Arasi know how to read and write both, though many Arasi that deal with races from the mainland regularly also learn to read and write Common.
Subrace. Arasi society is broken down into a few castes, based on the traits they share with different great cat species. Choose one of these subraces.
The Har'Arasi are both the physical and spiritual leaders of the Arasi prides, as they resemble most closely the lioness Shoba, from whom they were born.
Among the Arasi, clerics of Basa are exclusively females of this caste. Their word is law within each clan, and disobedience can result in banishment or worse. Their responsibilities cover almost every aspect of Arasi life, but most notably prayers and rituals related to hunts and fertility rites.
The male Har'Arasi are the warrior chiefs, acting as leaders in battle and protectors of the clergy of Basa. Better trained than the barbarian mongrels they lead, they often surprise more advanced cultures they encounter with their fighting prowess.
Ability Score Increase. If you are male, your Strength score increases by 1. If you are female, your Wisdom score increases by 1.
Brave. You have advantage on saving throws against being frightened.
Mighty Roar. As a bonus action, you can unleash a loud growl which causes any foe within 10 feet of you that fails a Wisdom saving throw to become frightened until the start of your next turn. After you use your roar, you can't use it again until you complete a short or long rest.
Savage Attacks. When you score a critical hit with a melee weapon, you can roll one of the weapon's damage dice on additional time and add it to the extra damage of the critical hit.
Like pieces of living shadow, the black-furred Dal'Arasi are archetypal feline stealth made manifest. They are the woodland spies of the prides, proof that even such a savage species can appreciate the more subtle aspects of war. Even when the island is at relative peace, they enjoy counting coup against their counterparts in other clans.
The Dal'Arasi are also the true hunters of the Arasi, bringing in more than half of the pride's kills each month by themselves. They are constantly aware of the location of any game within their territory, and enjoy investigating any new beast that appears on their shores.
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 1.
Living Shadow. You can attempt to hide even when you are only lightly obscured by dim light, provided there is a darker area beyond to mask your silhouette. This could be an area of total darkness, the night sky, black curtains or even a darkly painted wall.
Jungle Stalker. Choose one of the following skills: Nature, Stealth, Survival. You gain proficiency in that skill.
The powerful and sly Tal'Arasi serve as the advisers and keepers of tradition for the Arasi prides. Often they become negotiators and diplomats with the leaders of other clans, though the Chanur caste usually consider them untrustworthy.
When not involved in tribal politics, the tiger-men are actually very solitary. They are also the most curious about the outside world, seeking to learn the history and legends of other cultures, and coveting the possessions and knowledge of those lands.
Commonly touched by the mystical, most Arasi sorcerers belong to this caste, and are born under the sign of Anar. Tal'Arasi sorcerers also have the duty of providing arcane support when the prides go into battle. They seem to have a sixth sense about dangerous magical energies directed at themselves.
Legends say that some Tal'Arasi sorcerers seek to transform into the evil spirits known as rakshasa, much like some human wizards attempt to become liches.
Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 1.
Superior Darkvision. Your sight is slightly supernatural, extending your darkvision to 120 feet. However, your eyes have a faint red glow in total darkness, giving your position away to anyone trying to detect your presence within 5' of you.
Supernatural Senses. You may use your reaction to give yourself advantage on any saving throw against magic. After you use this ability, you cannot use it again until you complete a short or long rest.
Cantrip. You know one cantrip of your choice from the sorcerer spell list. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for it.
Cross-breeds of the upper Arasi castes, the Chanur are the lowest rung of the Arasi social ladder, though they form the majority of each pride. They are the warriors of the Arasi, and the priestesses of Basa strive to keep their numbers plentiful. Ferocious on the battle-field, the mongrels are also kept fearful, superstitious and subservient to the other castes.
In appearance the Chanur vary widely, from domestic felines to the great cats represented by any "pure-blood" parent, though there is usually some trait that distinguishes a mongrel from the other castes, such as a distinctive black mane, or a mongrel of tiger caste descent with spots instead of stripes.
On rare occasions, a Chanur is born who is indistinguishable in appearance from members of another caste. These individuals are usually adopted into that group, and will breed true with them.
Ability Score Increase. One ability score of your choice, other than Dexterity, increases by 1.
Lucky. When you roll a 1 on the d20 for an attack roll, ability check, or saving throw, you can reroll the die and must use the new roll.
Quick Reflexes. When an attack from an opponent you can see targets your AC or forces you to make a Dexterity save, you can use your reaction to halve the attack's damage against you. Once you have used this ability, you cannot use it again until you have taken a short or long rest.
The Arasi (uh-RAH-see) are a fierce race of feline humanoids inhabiting the islands of Marshak, southeast of Alabar. Fearsome and proud, they are the source of many legends among the peoples of the mainland.
Arasi Traits
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2.
Age. Arasi generally reach adulthood around twelve years of age, and live up to sixty years.
Alignment. Neutral
Size. Arasi range from 5 feet to over 6 and a half feet tall. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Cat's Grace. Your natural agility, aided by a tail to help your counter-balance, makes you proficient in Acrobatics. In addition, whenever you are about to take damage from falling, you may make a Dexterity (Acrobatics) check at DC 15. Success results in half damage, and you may tumble up to 10 feet away from your landing point, ending in an upright position rather than prone.
Claws. Because of your claws, you have a climb speed of 20 feet. In addition, 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 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal of an unarmed strike.
Darkvision. Used to hunting prey in the dark forests of Marshak at dusk and early dawn, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. 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.
Fear of Water. Arasi are simply not built for swimming, and they know it. You have disadvantage on Strength (Athletics) checks made for swimming.
Languages. You can speak Common and Arasi. Normally only Tal'Arasi know how to read and write both, though many Arasi that deal with races from the mainland regularly also learn to read and write Common.
Subrace. Arasi society is broken down into a few castes, based on the traits they share with different great cat species. Choose one of these subraces.
The Har'Arasi are both the physical and spiritual leaders of the Arasi prides, as they resemble most closely the lioness Shoba, from whom they were born.
Among the Arasi, clerics of Basa are exclusively females of this caste. Their word is law within each clan, and disobedience can result in banishment or worse. Their responsibilities cover almost every aspect of Arasi life, but most notably prayers and rituals related to hunts and fertility rites.
The male Har'Arasi are the warrior chiefs, acting as leaders in battle and protectors of the clergy of Basa. Better trained than the barbarian mongrels they lead, they often surprise more advanced cultures they encounter with their fighting prowess.
Ability Score Increase. If you are male, your Strength score increases by 1. If you are female, your Wisdom score increases by 1.
Brave. You have advantage on saving throws against being frightened.
Mighty Roar. As a bonus action, you can unleash a loud growl which causes any foe within 10 feet of you that fails a Wisdom saving throw to become frightened until the start of your next turn. After you use your roar, you can't use it again until you complete a short or long rest.
Savage Attacks. When you score a critical hit with a melee weapon, you can roll one of the weapon's damage dice on additional time and add it to the extra damage of the critical hit.
Like pieces of living shadow, the black-furred Dal'Arasi are archetypal feline stealth made manifest. They are the woodland spies of the prides, proof that even such a savage species can appreciate the more subtle aspects of war. Even when the island is at relative peace, they enjoy counting coup against their counterparts in other clans.
The Dal'Arasi are also the true hunters of the Arasi, bringing in more than half of the pride's kills each month by themselves. They are constantly aware of the location of any game within their territory, and enjoy investigating any new beast that appears on their shores.
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 1.
Living Shadow. You can attempt to hide even when you are only lightly obscured by dim light, provided there is a darker area beyond to mask your silhouette. This could be an area of total darkness, the night sky, black curtains or even a darkly painted wall.
Jungle Stalker. Choose one of the following skills: Nature, Stealth, Survival. You gain proficiency in that skill.
The powerful and sly Tal'Arasi serve as the advisers and keepers of tradition for the Arasi prides. Often they become negotiators and diplomats with the leaders of other clans, though the Chanur caste usually consider them untrustworthy.
When not involved in tribal politics, the tiger-men are actually very solitary. They are also the most curious about the outside world, seeking to learn the history and legends of other cultures, and coveting the possessions and knowledge of those lands.
Commonly touched by the mystical, most Arasi sorcerers belong to this caste, and are born under the sign of Anar. Tal'Arasi sorcerers also have the duty of providing arcane support when the prides go into battle. They seem to have a sixth sense about dangerous magical energies directed at themselves.
Legends say that some Tal'Arasi sorcerers seek to transform into the evil spirits known as rakshasa, much like some human wizards attempt to become liches.
Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 1.
Superior Darkvision. Your sight is slightly supernatural, extending your darkvision to 120 feet. However, your eyes have a faint red glow in total darkness, giving your position away to anyone trying to detect your presence within 5' of you.
Supernatural Senses. You may use your reaction to give yourself advantage on any saving throw against magic. After you use this ability, you cannot use it again until you complete a short or long rest.
Cantrip. You know one cantrip of your choice from the sorcerer spell list. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for it.
Cross-breeds of the upper Arasi castes, the Chanur are the lowest rung of the Arasi social ladder, though they form the majority of each pride. They are the warriors of the Arasi, and the priestesses of Basa strive to keep their numbers plentiful. Ferocious on the battle-field, the mongrels are also kept fearful, superstitious and subservient to the other castes.
In appearance the Chanur vary widely, from domestic felines to the great cats represented by any "pure-blood" parent, though there is usually some trait that distinguishes a mongrel from the other castes, such as a distinctive black mane, or a mongrel of tiger caste descent with spots instead of stripes.
On rare occasions, a Chanur is born who is indistinguishable in appearance from members of another caste. These individuals are usually adopted into that group, and will breed true with them.
Ability Score Increase. One ability score of your choice, other than Dexterity, increases by 1.
Lucky. When you roll a 1 on the d20 for an attack roll, ability check, or saving throw, you can reroll the die and must use the new roll.
Quick Reflexes. When an attack from an opponent you can see targets your AC or forces you to make a Dexterity save, you can use your reaction to halve the attack's damage against you. Once you have used this ability, you cannot use it again until you have taken a short or long rest.