Catfolk
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Catfolk can be found far and wide, often in places you would not expect or in places they aren’t supposed to be. Their builds and attitudes are varied, but not to the extent of humans. They have similar potential lifespans to humans, however, their wanderlust and risk taking often cut their lives short.They are generally good natured but can be aloof and have difficulties with respecting the boundaries and possessions of others. Catfolk are the best and most numerous sailors in the world. Most nautical terms come from the catfolk language.
Appearance:
Catfolk range between 5 and 6 feet tall. They very much resemble humanoid cats, they walk on two legs, have a tail, and human like hands tipped in small claws. Gender is sometimes difficult for non-catfolk to determine at first glance. Some catfolk have large claws that can deal damage, however most are simply claw like fingernails. Their ears are quite expressive and adds some nuance to their language (other races can speak catfolk just fine, however, it’s much like not being able to roll your r’s in other languages).
Catfolk coloration is widely variable. From typical housecat colors and patterns, like tabby and tortoiseshell. To fur that mimics the great cats, like tigers and leopards. Some catfolk dye their fur into even more exotic colors and patterns, or to make a plain coat seem exotic. Many sailing catfolk color their fur much like humans tattoo their skin. Some hold great stock in fur color, attributing it to past lives, destiny, or core personality. Others feel that one’s fur holds little over one’s actions. Fur color is quite different, even among those in the same tribe or family.
Some catfolk sport manes or longer fur, while others have an even length of fur on their heads and bodies.
Catfolk eyes are quite variable as well. Their pupils can be round, or slitted. Eye color has a wider range than many other races. Catfolk, more than other races, can have different colored eyes. Many catfolk eyes are gold or green, but they can be blue, brown, silver, purple, or orange too.
History:
Unfortunately for scholars and historians, catfolk written history is nearly nonexistent. They are natural explorers, but, their knowledge has a tendency to die with them. They are great explorers, but catfolk ships keep a tight guard of their maps and charts.They know more of the geography and lay of the land than anyone else.
Each catfolk tribe or ship has its own historic tales. Much of their history is preserved through stories and historical ballads. Lore keepers are well respected by all catfolk. However, their histories have not yet been written down and stored. Whole chunks are lost as tribes dwindle and ships sink.
Catfolk know they’ve been roaming the world for a long time now. Their wandering ways leaves little chance for an accumulation of artifacts to tell the whole of their story. Small bits of catfolk artifacts can be found across the world, making it hard to pinpoint one origin for their people.
Religion:
Catfolk have three racial deities. Some honor one above others. Some of the elemental gods hold sway over catfolk hearts. All catfolk ships have a shrine to Rashirra Swiftsail. Many catfolk are not devout, but would prefer to respect a god than anger it. Catfolk gods tend to have shrines rather than elaborate temples. Catfolk often gravitate to a god that fits with their personality.
Names:
Catfolk names, like human names, can have either meaning or be based off something that sounds good to them. Many catfolk names have several r’s, m’s, and s’s, so that they sound almost purr-like. Sailor catfolk use the name of their ship as a second name, others take their tribe or clan name, or simply choose something that describes them. Adventuring catfolk often create an adventuring name that differs from the name given to them. These names can be catfolk heroes, names of other races that they liked, or the name of a place that is important to them.
Sample Names:
Aeroun, Caarreia, Mioi, Raaol, Yourau, Kova, Rorran, Mur, Densharr, Mersharr, Nermissar, Therrass, Mrran, Rorran, Dessirris, Mianissa, Morasha, Nera, Thessana
Stats:
Paizo/Pathfinder standard
Appearance:
Catfolk range between 5 and 6 feet tall. They very much resemble humanoid cats, they walk on two legs, have a tail, and human like hands tipped in small claws. Gender is sometimes difficult for non-catfolk to determine at first glance. Some catfolk have large claws that can deal damage, however most are simply claw like fingernails. Their ears are quite expressive and adds some nuance to their language (other races can speak catfolk just fine, however, it’s much like not being able to roll your r’s in other languages).
Catfolk coloration is widely variable. From typical housecat colors and patterns, like tabby and tortoiseshell. To fur that mimics the great cats, like tigers and leopards. Some catfolk dye their fur into even more exotic colors and patterns, or to make a plain coat seem exotic. Many sailing catfolk color their fur much like humans tattoo their skin. Some hold great stock in fur color, attributing it to past lives, destiny, or core personality. Others feel that one’s fur holds little over one’s actions. Fur color is quite different, even among those in the same tribe or family.
Some catfolk sport manes or longer fur, while others have an even length of fur on their heads and bodies.
Catfolk eyes are quite variable as well. Their pupils can be round, or slitted. Eye color has a wider range than many other races. Catfolk, more than other races, can have different colored eyes. Many catfolk eyes are gold or green, but they can be blue, brown, silver, purple, or orange too.
History:
Unfortunately for scholars and historians, catfolk written history is nearly nonexistent. They are natural explorers, but, their knowledge has a tendency to die with them. They are great explorers, but catfolk ships keep a tight guard of their maps and charts.They know more of the geography and lay of the land than anyone else.
Each catfolk tribe or ship has its own historic tales. Much of their history is preserved through stories and historical ballads. Lore keepers are well respected by all catfolk. However, their histories have not yet been written down and stored. Whole chunks are lost as tribes dwindle and ships sink.
Catfolk know they’ve been roaming the world for a long time now. Their wandering ways leaves little chance for an accumulation of artifacts to tell the whole of their story. Small bits of catfolk artifacts can be found across the world, making it hard to pinpoint one origin for their people.
Religion:
Catfolk have three racial deities. Some honor one above others. Some of the elemental gods hold sway over catfolk hearts. All catfolk ships have a shrine to Rashirra Swiftsail. Many catfolk are not devout, but would prefer to respect a god than anger it. Catfolk gods tend to have shrines rather than elaborate temples. Catfolk often gravitate to a god that fits with their personality.
Names:
Catfolk names, like human names, can have either meaning or be based off something that sounds good to them. Many catfolk names have several r’s, m’s, and s’s, so that they sound almost purr-like. Sailor catfolk use the name of their ship as a second name, others take their tribe or clan name, or simply choose something that describes them. Adventuring catfolk often create an adventuring name that differs from the name given to them. These names can be catfolk heroes, names of other races that they liked, or the name of a place that is important to them.
Sample Names:
Aeroun, Caarreia, Mioi, Raaol, Yourau, Kova, Rorran, Mur, Densharr, Mersharr, Nermissar, Therrass, Mrran, Rorran, Dessirris, Mianissa, Morasha, Nera, Thessana
Stats:
Paizo/Pathfinder standard