Catfolk

Catfolk are a race of natural explorers who rarely tire of trailblazing, but such trailblazing is not limited merely to the search for new horizons in distant lands. Many catfolk see personal growth and development as equally valid avenues of exploration. While most catfolk are nimble, capable, and often active creatures, there is also a strong tendency among some catfolk to engage in quiet contemplation and study. Such individuals are interested in finding new solutions to age-old problems and questioning even the most steadfast philosophical certainties of the day. They are curious by nature, and catfolk culture never discourages inquisitiveness, but rather fosters and encourages it. Many are seen as quirky extroverts by members of other races, but within catfolk tribes there is no shame attached to minor peculiarities, eccentricities, or foolhardiness. All but the most inwardly focused catfolk enjoy being the center of attention, but not at the expense of their tribe, whether it's the one the catfolk are born into or the tribe they choose through the bonds of friendship with other creatures. catfolk tend to be both generous and loyal to their family and friends.

Physical Description

In general, catfolk are lithe and slender but their appearance varies depending on their sub race. While clearly humanoid, they possess many feline features, including a coat of soft fine fur and slit pupils. Their ears are pointed, but unlike those of elves, are more rounded and catlike. They manipulate objects as easily as any other humanoid, but their fingers terminate in small, sharp, retractable claws. These claws are typically not powerful enough to be used as weapons, but some members of the species—either by quirk of birth or from years of honing—can use them with deadly effect. Feline whiskers are not uncommon, but not universal, and hair and eye color vary greatly.

Gender	Base Height	Height Modifier	Base Weight	Weight Modifier
Male	4 ft. 10 in.	+2d8 in. (5 ft. - 6 ft. 2 in.)	120 lbs.	+(2d8×5 lbs.) (130 - 200 lbs.)
Female	4 ft. 5 in.	+2d8 in. (4 ft. 7 in. - 5 ft. 11 in.)	85 lbs.	+(2d8×5 lbs.) (95 - 165 lbs.)

Society

While self-expression is an important aspect of catfolk culture, it is mitigated by a strong sense of community and group effort. In the wild, catfolk are a hunter-gatherer tribal people. The pursuit of personal power never comes before the health and well-being of the tribe. More than one race has underestimated this seemingly gentle people only to discover much too late that their cohesion also provides them great strength.

Catfolk prefer to be led by their most competent members, usually a council of sub-chieftains chosen by their peers, either through consensus or election. The sub-chiefs then choose a chieftain to lead in times of danger and to mediate disputes among the sub-chiefs. The chieftain is the most capable member of the tribe, and is often magically talented. catfolk who settle in more urban and civilized areas still cling to a similar tribal structure, but often see friends outside the tribe, even those from other races, as part of their extended tribe. Within adventuring groups, catfolk who do not consider themselves the obvious choice as chieftain often defer to the person who most resembles their cultural ideal of a chieftain.

Relations

Adaptable and curious, catfolk get along with almost any race that extends reciprocal goodwill. They acclimate easily to halflings, humans, and especially elves. Catfolk and elves share a passionate nature, as well as a love of music, dance, and storytelling; elven communities often gently mentor catfolk tribes, though such elves are careful not to act in a patronizing manner toward their feline friends. Gnomes make natural companions for catfolk, as catfolk enjoy gnomes' strange and obsessive qualities. The feral nature of the monstrous races stirs as much puzzlement as it does revulsion among catfolk, as they don't understand their savagery and propensity for self-destruction.

Alignment and Religion

With community and unselfish cooperation at the center of their culture, as well as a good-natured curiosity and willingness to adapt to the customs of many other races, most catfolk tend toward good alignments. The clear majority of catfolk are also chaotic, as wisdom is not their strongest virtue; nevertheless, there are exceptions with cause.

Adventurers

Natural born trackers, the hunter-gatherer aspect of their tribes pushes many catfolk toward occupations as rangers and druids by default, but such roles don't always speak to their love of performance art, be it song, dance, or storytelling. catfolk legends also speak of a rich tradition of great sorcerer heroes. Those catfolk who internalize their wanderlust often become wizards and monks, with many of those monks taking the path of the nimble guardian. While catfolk cavaliers and inquisitors are rare (steadfast dedication to a cause is often alien to the catfolk mindset) individuals who choose these paths are never looked down upon. Catfolk understand that exploration and self-knowledge can lead down many roads, and are accepting of nearly all professions and ways of life.

Lifespan
Catfolk have a short lifespan but live it to it's fullest, they reach maturity at the age of 15 and they live for an average of 50 years.

Sub-Races

Catfolk are traditionally made up of 4 distinct sub-races, though each subrace has varying fur color and body shape. Most tribes are made up of a mixture of these sub-races, using the natural gifts of each to strengthen their tribe. It is not uncommon for these sub-races to be mates, under most circumstances the child favor's the mother's sub-race.

Tiger (13 RP)

The Tiger is the heart of their tribe, one who possesses both cunning and physical prowess. These catfolk tend to be of average height and weight for their race.

Ability Score Racial Traits:  +2 Dexterity, +2 Charisma, –2 Wisdom.
Type: Tiger catfolk are humanoids with the catfolk subtype.

Size: Tiger catfolk are Medium creatures and have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
Base Speed: Tiger catfolk have a base speed of 40 feet.
Languages: Tiger catfolk begin play speaking Common and Catfolk. Tiger catfolk with high Intelligence scores can choose from the following languages: Elven, Gnoll, Gnome, Goblin, Halfling, Orc, and Sylvan.
Character Points: Tiger Catfolk start with 12 bonus Character Points

Cat's Luck (Ex) Once per day when a catfolk makes a Reflex saving throw, he can roll the saving throw twice and take the better result. He must decide to use this ability before the saving throw is attempted.

Natural Hunter: Catfolk receive a +2 racial bonus on Perception, Stealth, and Survival checks.

Curiosity: Tiger catfolk are naturally inquisitive about the world around them. They gain a +4 bonus on Diplomacy checks to gather information, and Knowledge (history) and Knowledge (local) become class skills for them. If they choose a class that has either of these Knowledge skills as class skills, they gain a +2 racial bonus on those skills instead.

Low-Light Vision: Catfolk have low-light vision allowing them to see twice as far as humans in dim light.

Class Specialization
Bard
Cavalier
Fighter
Magus
Ranger
Sorcerer

Lion (13 RP)

The Lion is the strength of their tribe, the true warrior who fearlessly leaps into battle. These catfolk tend to be taller than average and are heavier due to their brawn.

Ability Score Racial Traits:  +2 Strength, +2 Dexterity, –2 Wisdom.
Type: Lion catfolk are humanoids with the catfolk subtype.
Size: Lion catfolk are Medium creatures and have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
Base Speed: Lion catfolk have a base speed of 40 feet.
Languages: Lion catfolk begin play speaking Common and Catfolk. Tiger catfolk with high Intelligence scores can choose from the following languages: Elven, Gnoll, Gnome, Goblin, Halfling, Orc, and Sylvan.
Character Points: Lion Catfolk start with 12 bonus Character Points

Cat's Luck (Ex) Once per day when a catfolk makes a Reflex saving throw, he can roll the saving throw twice and take the better result. He must decide to use this ability before the saving throw is attempted.

Curiosity: Catfolk are naturally inquisitive about the world around them. They gain a +4 bonus on Diplomacy checks to gather information, and Knowledge (history) and Knowledge (local) become class skills for them. If they choose a class that has either of these Knowledge skills as class skills, they gain a +2 racial bonus on those skills instead.

Bite: Lion catfolk gain a natural weapon bite attack which inflicts 1d6 damage. This is a primary natural attack.

Frenzy: Once per day, whenever a lion catfolk takes damage, it flies into a frenzy for 1 minute, gaining a +2 racial bonus to Constitution and Strength, but a –2 penalty to AC.

Low-Light Vision: catfolk have low-light vision allowing them to see twice as far as humans in dim light.

Class Specialization
Armiger	The Armiger Gains Dodge as a bonus feat at 1st level.
Barbarian	While in a rage the barbarian's bite damage is increased to 1d8. (as if he had Improved Natural Attack)
Fighter	The fighter gains Weapon Training (Natural) at first level in addition to the Weapon Training he gains at 5th/9th/13th/17th.
Martial Artist	A martial artist who chooses Unarmed Strikes as a Chosen Weapon gains claws which deal 1d4 damage each and are primary natural weapons.
Ranger	The Ranger gains the scent ability.
Warlord	The warlord lets out a bellowing roar when using inspiration increasing the temporary hit points gained to d8 dice.

Jaguar (13 RP)

The Jaguar is the shadow of the tribe; scouts, infiltrators and informants with renown natural skills. Though normally shorter than average these lithe stalkers make up for it in amazing grace and acrobatics.

Ability Score Racial Traits:  +2 Dexterity, +2 Intelligence, –2 Wisdom.
Type: Lion catfolk are humanoids with the catfolk subtype.
Size: Lion catfolk are Medium creatures and have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
Base Speed: Lion catfolk have a base speed of 40 feet.
Languages: Lion catfolk begin play speaking Common and Catfolk. Tiger catfolk with high Intelligence scores can choose from the following languages: Elven, Gnoll, Gnome, Goblin, Halfling, Orc, and Sylvan.
Character Points: Jaguar Catfolk start with 12 bonus Character Points

Cat's Luck (Ex) Once per day when a catfolk makes a Reflex saving throw, he can roll the saving throw twice and take the better result. He must decide to use this ability before the saving throw is attempted.

Curiosity: Catfolk are naturally inquisitive about the world around them. They gain a +4 bonus on Diplomacy checks to gather information, and Knowledge (history) and Knowledge (local) become class skills for them. If they choose a class that has either of these Knowledge skills as class skills, they gain a +2 racial bonus on those skills instead.

Jumper: Jaguar catfolk are always considered to have a running start when making Acrobatics checks to jump.

Climb: Jaguar catfolk have a climb speed of 20 feet, and gain the +8 racial bonus on Climb checks that a climb speed normally grants.

Camouflage: Choose a ranger favored terrain type. Jaguar catfolk gain a +4 racial bonus on Stealth checks while within that terrain type.

Low-Light Vision: Catfolk have low-light vision allowing them to see twice as far as humans in dim light.

Class Specialization

Leopard (13 RP)

The Leopard is the soul of the tribe; scholars and spellcasters with the insight unseen in others of their race. These catfolk are of average height for their race but tend to weight less due to their study of books rather than steel.

Ability Score Racial Traits:  +2 Charisma, +2 Intelligence
Type: Lion catfolk are humanoids with the catfolk subtype.
Size: Lion catfolk are Medium creatures and have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
Base Speed: Lion catfolk have a base speed of 40 feet.
Languages: Lion catfolk begin play speaking Common and Catfolk. Tiger catfolk with high Intelligence scores can choose from the following languages: Elven, Gnoll, Gnome, Goblin, Halfling, Orc, and Sylvan.
Character Points: Leopard Catfolk start with 12 bonus Character Points

Cat's Luck (Ex) Once per day when a catfolk makes a Reflex saving throw, he can roll the saving throw twice and take the better result. He must decide to use this ability before the saving throw is attempted.

Curiosity: Catfolk are naturally inquisitive about the world around them. They gain a +4 bonus on Diplomacy checks to gather information, and Knowledge (history) and Knowledge (local) become class skills for them. If they choose a class that has either of these Knowledge skills as class skills, they gain a +2 racial bonus on those skills instead.

Focused Study: At 1st, 8th, and 16th level, leopard catfolk gain Skill Focus in a skill of their choice as a bonus feat.

Low-Light Vision: Catfolk have low-light vision allowing them to see twice as far as humans in dim light.

Class Specialization