[Race] Catfolk

"I serve with purpose." Mierum - Temple Protector



Catfolk are the temple guardians of the gods. They are a proud race who knows where they are from, and who they serve.

They live within the cities that house large temples, and few roam the wilds as protectors for the gods in other ways. They were created and bread to be guardians and companions. Very quick and agile, not only in body but in mind. They are very witty.

Breif History As explained by Mierum
The goddess Artemis was tired of protecting her lands by herself, she was lonely, and she wished company. She watched the many different animals under her domain - observing how each moved, how each reacted to others. Her first thought was of the wolves - elegant and sleek; pack animals who would surely be able to keep her temples safe. Then she saw how man was able to befriend and make meek these animals and her heart was dissapointed. She sat in sorrow for a few days. Then she went back to observing. She saw the antelope. Her heart lept as she wated the agile creature bound from place to place, free! Then, she watched as a large cat lept from its hiding spot and took the animal down. She regarded the cat with open interest. Watching as it, in its solitary nature, took the animal to a high spot and ate. She then, started to watch multiple types of cats, seeing each as independant, but nurturing and needing of company - just on their terms. This made her heart happy. She saw they were not swayed by man. And her choice was made.

She, a goddess of creation, was able to draw the primal escenses to her and create a mixture. Something that was errect and could speak, something that was proud and fast, something that was close enough to a humaniod look that it would not hurt her to look upon for hours. To hold in her esteme. Thus the first catfolk were born, and they were given a mission from inseption: Guard what is ours, keep filth from our temples and keep my lands safe. We, as a people, keep the goddess' lands safe and guard the temples of all the gods.

Some of us choose to worship one god or goddess besides Artemis, but that is our choice. Some even have moved from protecting the temples to be travelers. But we all feel the pull - all feel the need - to protect. We are a proud race, we are a strong race.


Racial Traits
Catfolk resemble a mix between the large preditor cats of the world and lithe humans. Their attire and their hair style is largely dependant on the area they live in, as well as the type of cat they resemble. They have fur from head to toe and cat slit eyes. All have tails; some are just lucky enough to be able to control their tails enough to perform small tricks of agility (lifting objects with).

Within the Remian setting the markings range from lion, tigers, panthers, cheetahs, etc. all depending on their part of the world.

Catfolk speak Common and Catfolk. Their bonus languages are dwarf, elf, halfing, gnome, orc, gnoll.

Catfolk possess the following racial traits:
* +6 Dex (+4 bobbed tail - see DM), +2 Cha
* 30 ft base speed
* Low-light vision
* +2 racial bonus to balance due to their tails (bobbed tails loose this bonus)
* +2 racial bonus to Listen, Hide, and Move Silently
* Scent (To track with scent, must have the feat)
* Perfered Class: Ranger or Fighter
* Level Adjustment +1

Catfolk Society
Catfolk reside in cities and have a power structure much like their human counterparts. Each family is different as to which is the dominate be it a matriarchal or patriarchal.

They are a very sipritual people, they follow the will of the gods openly and with love. Most follow Artemis, however, a few follow other gods as their travels have led them to decide to worship another. As guardians of the gods as a whole, all the gods open their arms (or atleast don't show too much open disdain) for the catfolk.

Catfolk get along with most everyone, being a very charismatic and friendly race. They can and have bred with other races producing half-cats which resemble a mixture between the two races (usually non-furred with slit eyes and possibly ears and a tail - their stats are that of a less agile catfolk); the second generation out always looks like the non-cat race in whole (with the stats of that race).

Catfolk Characters
They view adventuring as a rite of passage of sorts. Not that all have to leave to prove themselves, it is simply open and not looked down upon.

Character Names:
They favor names that begin with "D," "M," or "N," and contain multiple "s" and "r" sounds, sounds that are not hindered by their purring voices.

Roleplaying a Catfolk
Catfolk are very outgoing and quick on their toes they are open to new challanges. They are mecurial in their temperment - but are very quick to forgive once they view the slight as passed.

Age of Maturity
18 is the age of maturity, they reach 'mid-age' at 100 years - being created by a goddess they are a longer lived race - but not immortal as the elfs.

Note:

Catfolk range in height. As much as the humans range in height depending on their leinage, so do the cats. Some are shorter than others - while others tower over most. It truly depends on the type of cat, and -where- the catfolk is from. S

Some of the asian catfolk will be shorter than the scandinavian counterparts.

Hope that clears some things up.