THE FELINOID TRIBE (Has'ziim, Khor'tar, Khorah, Shirzar, Zh'aarl):
The most Arrogant of the felinoid Tribes are the Khor'tar and Khorah, whose mastery of both power and coordination make them incredible adversaries able to take on in numbers what other more physically powerful creatures would fear to fight. Sighting the lone female stealthily stalking means only that others are nearby and the trap is closing quickly. All Khorah (females) accept one master Khor'tar as the protector when things go awry. Their real power though is in their adroit communication between themselves and others, the lion is regal and even Imperial Tiger moves aside when the king and his queens have entered his territory. Though Khortar are lazy they rise to the occasion when the pride is threatened and will fight to the end against any number of opponents as long as his females and cubs survive. The Khorah are workaholics and are constantly planning the next meal, the next hunt, or the next location they want to roam. They love each others like sisters and raise the cubs jointly. The Khor'tar is powerfully built with rippling muscles and a flowing black or golden mane giving him a royal appearance. The Khorah are lean and muscular with attractive sinewy bodies and are fascinating to watch. They have coats that are a golden tan. Found throughout Rhamier and Guavhardiim.
The most Ruthless and Arrogant of the Great Tribes are the followers of H'rru-Rirl, The Imperial Tiger God, who demands that his people, the Zh'aarl be accorded the respect due to those of imperial blood. They prey ruthlessly upon those creatures of a 'lesser nature' and accept no indication of weakness. Legends are full of tales of a lone Zh'aarl fighting impossible odds or running hours past the brink of exhaustion or accepting death before he is dishonored. The Zh'aarl are powerful and muscular with attractive solidly built bodies and are beautiful to watch. They have coats that range from a orange or tan with black stripes, to the rare white coat with black stripes. Found throughout Skraelund and occasionally in Rhamier. Zh'aarl are loners and dislike working with others without some benefit for themselves.
The Shirzar are called the Panther Tribe but they also include Leopards, Mountain Lions, and Jaguars. They are nocturnal and prefer to hunt from trees, they are especially stealthy and make devastating rangers and rogues but excel in assassination. They prefer to hunt and kill silently making prey disappear with quick, instantly lethal strikes. They like to drag their prey away and devour them up in the tree canopy and their victim is never seen again. Where their stronger cousins maul their victims, Panthermen use finesse and skill to go for the kill. The Shirzar are lithe and muscular with attractive slim bodies and are generally fit. They have coats that range from a dusky tan (mountain lion), to midnight black (panther), to patterned coats of yellow and black spots (Jaguars), and Rosetta patterns (leopards). Found throughout Skraelund and Rhamier. The Shirzar are reclusive and of notoriously nasty temperaments. They dislike working with others and prefer to stay in the trees where they feel safest.
The Has'Ziim are the Cheetah Tribe. Though smaller and more fragile looking, they are legendary sprinters and in a short distance there is no animist alive who is faster. They stalk their prey until they get enough room for a one round burst and then spring the trap often before the victim has a chance to even scream. The Has'ziim are beautiful to behold and often are though of as cute. They are easily startled but friendly and more conversational than their brethren with outsiders. Has'zzim are the only felinoid without retractable claws. Their fur is variegated patterns of dark spots over a golden or light tan base. This helps them with camouflage. Found in Rhamier and Guavhardiim. The Has'ziim are mellow of temperament, and easy to get along with having a calm attitude towards life. When protecting a kill or cubs they show a wicked side that even gives lion females pause.
INTERMIXING: Occasionally a pair of cat folk from different tribes fall in love, the offspring will have the assets of both parents. Usually the pair with their child will be exiled and hunt alone but unless it is a Khorah, they usually don't miss the others being that the felinoids are usually solitary. Though forced to live apart from the tribe, they still meet up with old friends at tribal moots and gatherings though they will usually be the talk of the event. Khorah have strong ties to their sisters and being alone without them usually leads to a life of mental anguish.
OTHER CAT-LIKE RACES: Wemic, Tabaxi, and other cat variants are on good terms with the felinoid tribes. Displacer beasts dislike them but usually avoid them unless openly confronted.
BODY ALTERATIONS: Depending on the Phase of the Catfolk, he gains 1 or more powers (PC Choice) from this list to add to his template. Suggested body alterations are below to accompany the powers.
ATTRIBUTE MODIFICATIONS:
Has'ziim get +2 CON, -2 WIS (Bursts of Speed need endurance, not reverent or world wise)
Khortar get +2 STR, -2 WIS (Power is their hallmark, not reverent or world-wise)
Khorah get +2 DEX, -2 WIS (Stealthy and quiet, not reverent or world-wise)
Shirzar get +2 DEX, -2 WIS (Stealth and climbing ability, not reverent or world-wise)
Zh'aarl get +2 STR, -2 WIS (Powerful hunter, not reverent or world-wise)
SIZE: Animist felinoids are Medium size.
Hasziim stand 5' tall (+1d8 males and 1d6 females) and weigh about 120 (+ 6d10 pounds for males and 3d10 for females.)
Khortar stand 6' (+1d8 and weigh 190+6d10 lbs).
Khorah stand 5'8 (+1d6 inches and weigh 130 + 3d10 lbs)
Shirzar stand 5'+ tall (+1d8 males and 1d6 females) and weigh about 120 (+ 6d10 pounds for males and 3d10 for females.)
Zh'aarl stand 6'2 (+1d8 Inches weighing 200 + 6d10 lbs, females stand 5'10 + 1d6 inches and weigh 160 + 3d10 lbs)
DESCRIPTION: The felinoids are tall powerful and beautiful with a menagerie of coats. They ripple with muscle and are powerful predators.
FAVORED CLASS: Has'ziim (Scout), Khortar (Fighter), Khorah (Ranger), Shirzar (Assassin), Zh'aarl (Barbarian)
ATTRIBUTES: See above
SIZE: Medium size.
SPEED: felinoid base speed is 30 feet.
felinoid VISION: felinoid base sight starts as normal but can be upgraded to low-light vision.
felinoid RACIAL ABILITY: felinoids get to choose up to 8 points of racial traits.
AUTOMATIC LANGUAGES: Common, Animist
BONUS LANGUAGES: Sylvan.
FAVORED CLASS: Varies by race
FAVORED ALIGNMENT: Khortar and Khorah Lawful, All others Chaotic by nature.
RACIAL/REGIONAL FEATS: Varies by land, choose (1) Regional Feat free. Additional feats can be chosen from this list (unless the feat prohibits this) as regular feat choices.
REGIONAL ANIMAL / MONSTER LORE: Take '10' on all animal and take '5' on all monster knowledge checks for the listed animals and creatures of Rhamier.
REGIONAL KNOWLEDGE: Take '10' on all Local Knowledge Checks for the City, Town, or Village the character lives in. Take '5' on all History Checks related to Rhamier.
1 Point
ANIMAL SPEECH: The Felinoid can speak with any cat as a Proficiency in addition to any other languages they know, this is a Bonus Language.
Suggested Animal Features: The felinoid has a smooth powerful voice. The felinoid likes to command lesser creatures.
CLIMBING SKILL: The felinoid can climb trees with alarming skill. They gain the Climb Proficiency at no cost and gain a +2 racial bonus to all Climb Checks and Balance Checks.
Suggested Animal Features: The felinoid will have calluses on both his hands and feet. He will have a wiry build.
LIBIDO (Khor'tar Only): The male is the master and protector of several females, all of the children will be his, and the group will follow his reasonable commands. Due to this, the male lion's libido is powerful and he gains a +1 to all Attack and Damage rolls when he is protecting his pride.
Suggested Animal Features: The Lion is larger than other males of his type.
MANE (Khor'tar only): The great mane of the Lionman gives him a +2 on any CHA based roll as it not only makes him more attractive but also more intimidating.
Suggested Animal Features: The Khor'tar has beautiful flowing mane.
ROAR: The felinoid's roar can be heard for a mile per level and is a demonstration of his masculine power giving him a +1 reaction per 4 levels with females that hear his call. A female felinoid''s roar calls her cubs to her from the same distance or coordinates an attack with her pride.
Suggested Animal Features: The felinoid's mouth has jaws that open very widely.
STEALTHY: The felinoid gains a +2 to Hide and Move Silent checks. these raise to +4 in grasslands.
Suggested Animal Features: The Khorah has strangely padded feet. The felinoid tiptoes instead of walks.
2 Points
BITE: The felinoid can make a bite upon an opponent that does (1d8 + 1/2 STR) Damage.
Suggested Animal Features: The felinoid has the jaw structure and sharp teeth of a felinoid.
CLIMBING CLAWS: The felinoid possesses climbing claws on all four limbs that do 1d4 + STR in combat. They also add +2 to Climbing checks. All but the Has'ziim's claws are retractable.
Suggested Animal Features: The felinoid will have claws on both hands and feet.
IMPROVED GRAB: The felinoid must have the BITE power to get this ability. To use this skill, the felinoid must hit with a BITE attack. If it wins the grapple, it can Rake.
Suggested Animal Features: The Lionperson has powerful, upper body muscles and muscled forearms.
RAKE: The felinoid must have CLIMBING CLAWS to possess this power. A felinoid that gets a grapples a foe in combat can make two rake attacks with it's hind legs for 1d8+1 damage each. If the felinoid pounces on an opponent, it can also rake.
Suggested Animal Features: The felinoid has pronounced toe claws and bulky calf muscles.
LOWLIGHT VISION: The felinoid can see twice as far as a human in starlit conditions.
Suggested Animal Features: The felinoid has cat's eyes that flicker green in the night.
3 Points
LEAP: The felinoid can leap horizontally 1 foot per point of STR he possesses, He may leap 1 foot vertically per 2 points of Strength he possesses, and may double these ranges when a running leap is made. (IE: Standing still, Ar'huak who has a 12 STR may leap a 12' wide chasm, leap 6 feet upwards, and if running make a leap of 24 feet length and 12 foot height!). The Lionman cannot wear any armor heavier than leather to LEAP.
POUNCE (Ex): If a felinoid leaps upon a foe during the first round of combat, it can make a full attack even if it has already taken a move action.
Limitations: The character cannot use weapons, magic, or long distance projectiles, only claws and teeth. The felinoid cannot be wearing any armor heavier than Leather to make a POUNCE attack. The Victim must be surprised to be effectively backstabbed.
Suggested Animal Features: The felinoid's legs are especially muscular. The felinoid crouches instead of sits. The lioness looks eternally ready to attack.
TRIP (Ex - Has'ziim Only): A Has'ziim that hits with a natural weapon can attempt a trip attack as a free action without making a touch attack or provoking an attack of opportunity. If the attempt fails the opponent cannot react to trip the felinoid.
Limitations: The felinoid cannot use weapons, magic, or long distance projectiles. Must have CLIMBING CLAWS or TEETH. Suggested Animal Features: The felinoid's jaws, hands, and feet are especially muscular.
Suggested Animal Features: The Wrists of the Has'ziim are strong and his claws are hooked.
MASTER (EX): The felinoid is an acknowledged master of stealth, hunting, and survival. They gain a +2 to Climb, Hide, Move Silent, Jump and Balance checks. They can choose to use their DEX scores for STR rolls.
Suggested Animal Features: The felinoid looks extremely feral and catlike.
SCENT (EX): The felinoid has the scent ability (Page 314, MM).
Suggested Animal Features: The felinoid has a cat-like nose and stops to check the air often.
4 Points
ANIMAL FRIEND (EX): The felinoid is automatically friendly with others of his species (Khor'tar and Khorah with lions and dire lions; Has'ziim with cheetahs; Shirzar with mountain lions, leopards, pumas, and jaguars; and Zh'aarl with Tigers and Dire Tigers). It is not uncommon to see the animals walking with the felinoids, hunting with them, or even in the case of dire cats, letting the felinoid ride them. They are not classic animal companions or familiars but are friendly and don't mind spending a few days or weeks with their friends before wandering off again.
Suggested Animal Features: The felinoid looks extremely feral and catlike.
BORN KILLER (Shirzar Only): The Assassin of the felinoids gains +2 DEX from his awesome natural agility. In addition he may take 10 on any climb checks even if rushed or threatened.
Suggested Animal Features: The Shirzar's eyes gleam coldly, he effortlessly glides through his territory as if the shadows cling to him.
MAJESTIC (Khor'tar Only): The Lionman gains +2 CHA and is regarded as a ruler amongst the animist people. In addition, he gains Diplomacy and Intimidate as class skills or a +2 if he already possesses them.
Suggested Animal Features: The Lion's face looks noble and wise. He moves with grace and purpose.
SAVAGE (Zh'aarl Only): The Zh'aarl is more savage and fearsome than others of the felinoid races and can stop even the king of beasts in his fury. +2 STR and he gains a +4 to Intimidate checks if he is angry.
Suggested Animal Features: The Zh'aarl's face looks demonic and furious even when calm. He moves like a predator waiting to strike.
SPRINT (Has'ziim Only): The Has'ziim possesses uncanny speed. CON bonus times per day (Minimum 1) a Has'ziim can move at 10 times his normal movement speed (30 feet) when it makes a charge.
Suggested Animal Features: The Has'ziim has a long lean body which is very flexible.
TACTICAL TEAM (Khorah only): If a Lionwoman is working with other lion females, she gains a +1 to the initial attack roll per female in her group. Also due to the teamwork, all females make their Hunting Proficiency rolls together adding the number of females as a bonus when rolling whether a hunt was successful or not. She is more intelligent than any of the other felines due to her ability to plan complex strategies. +2 INT.
Suggested Animal Features: The Khorah's eyes blaze with intelligence, she can send her sisters complex instructions with a toss of the head or fleeting eye contact.