Tabaxi

> *“Turning and turning in the widening gyre, the falcon cannot hear the falconer; things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, the blood-dimmed tide is loosed and everywhere. The ceremony of innocence is drowned; the best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity.”* - excerpt from the Tabaxi poem, ‘The Day the Dark Elves Came,’ recounting the fall of their nation.
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The cat-like Tabaxi are a race in exile. Originally hailing from the northern parts of Allmenaria, a land of frost-kissed steppes and vast mountains, they were invaded by the Dark Elves in the aftermath of the Elven Civil War. In the fallout of the invasion, the Tabaxi were either enslaved or driven into exile. Cunning, distrusting and relentlessly unforgiving, the Tabaxi live in small communes or nomadic trading caravans, battling to survive in a world that has more-or-less forgotten them.

## **Physical Description - Feline Physiology**

With their feline ancestry, Tabaxi appear light, agile and graceful to many other races - even the Elves. They are typically fairly short, though not as short as a Dwarf or Gnome. Falling within the shorter range of typical Human heights, Tabaxi are about 5 feet on average and rarely grow any taller than 5 and a half feet. They are a very slender race, like the High Elves, but often weigh even less. Unlike some races, male and female Tabaxi do not differ in terms of height and weight, being exactly the same on average.

Tabaxi skin is usually a tawny colour, ranging from a light brown to a brownish-orange. Their fur, however, ranges greatly from individual to individual. Fur can be thick or thin, well-kept or shaggy, spotty or block. Some Tabaxi have the same colour fur across their entire bodies or simple block colours, similar to domestic house cats. Others have elegant stripes or intricate patterns of spots and dots, like tigers or leopards. It is very, very rare for any two Tabaxi to have the exact same fur, leading to fur styles becoming an important part of many Tabaxis’ identities.

## **Mentality - An Outsider's Perspective**

Tabaxi are very much outsiders to the world, despite being part of it for thousands of years. This provides them with a very unique outlook on the world and those within it. Tabaxi tend to be very collected and stoic individuals, almost to the point of being near-emotionless. When they are excited or joyous, it is only in moderation, never to the point of irrationality and never overrides their analytical mind and keen senses. When they are sad, it is never to the point of excess. Most Tabaxi will control their emotions and approach life with a realist logic that some races see as blunt rudeness. That said, when someone wrongs them or their commune it is not uncommon for Tabaxi to be overwhelmed with a lust for revenge - and they will be relentless in obtaining it.

Though Tabaxi are logical realists, they are also extremely cunning and talented wordsmiths. Violence is not typically the first solution to any problem, instead choosing negotiation and manipulation first. Their ability to use speech as a weapon is well-renowned and heavily respected, even amongst other races that do a similar thing. That said, when threatened they are not afraid to defend themselves, using their agile bodies and quick minds to overwhelm their foes with swift strikes.

Many Tabaxi are distrusting of others, a sentiment that is taught by parents and instilled in children. Naturally, they are slow to make friends and allies. They are not above working with others, though. Many caravans and communes survive through trade and work, which over time has the potential to form close relationships with local communities.

## **Society - Communes and Caravans**

Most Tabaxi live in nomadic travelling caravans, which travel from city to city to trade their wears and acquire supplies. These caravans are often not welcome at the city for very long, so will often only spend a few days there before moving on to somewhere else. These caravans are often comprised of only a small group of Tabaxi, but are typically very close communities. Sometimes, a few caravans will come together and settle somewhere in the wilderness. In these cases they form communes, some of which can grow quite large. These settlements will grow agriculture, build houses and attempt to trade with nearby places. However, they are typically illegal settlements in most countries and so will be driven away and disbanded by local authorities.

Tabaxi that live solitary lives, or just lives away from their kind, will usually join groups of adventurers, mercenaries or criminals. Those that refuse to do this live difficult lives in city slums, scraping a living through random jobs and stealing. Tabaxi nobles are extremely rare, often being married into these positions of privilege.

## **Tabaxi Adventurers - Nowhere to Go**

Tabaxi that take up adventuring typically do it out of necessity rather than anything else. Their race lives without a nation of their own, in a world that rejects them. Adventuring parties are some of the few places outside their own communities that will actually accept them, so many solitary Tabaxi will become adventurers in order to find a place for themselves. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Tabaxi that join adventuring parties will likely form lifelong bonds with their comrades.

## **Tabaxi Names**

Tabaxi live roughly the same length of time as Humans do, however they mature very quickly. A Tabaxi is typically considered a fully-grown adult after only about 3-5 years, though some will continue growing after this.

Traditional Tabaxi names are complex and mostly unisex. A Tabaxi’s main name will begin as a relatively simple name such as Kanovic, Jevic, or Kolov. Upon becoming an adult, the Tabaxi will be given an honorary prefix to their name which reflects a trait or position in the community. Some examples include Dar (thief, clever, ingenious), Ja (chief), or Dra (matriarch, wise female). Put together, the Tabaxi’s full name is completed. For example, Darkanovic, Jajevic, Drakolov. Tabaxi used to have clan names, but they have long since abandoned them.

**Example Tabaxi names -** Kalenska, Rakic, Dokesch, Satskiy, Riuksin.

## **Tabaxi Traits**

Your Tabaxi character has a variety of natural abilities, the result of your unfortunate situation and feline physiology.

* ***Ability Score Increase -*** your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Charisma score increases by 1.
* ***Age -*** Tabaxi have lifespans equivalent to Humans, typically living for just under a century. But Tabaxi mature much faster, becoming adults between the years of 3-5.
* ***Alignment -*** most Tabaxi are considered good and will attempt to do the right thing and help others in need. However, they also value personal freedom and the freedom of their communities and so will disregard local laws when necessary. Some, particularly those of a solitary nature, will take a more neutral, or even evil, outlook.
* ***Size -*** Tabaxi are typically shorter than the average Human, growing to about 5 feet on average. Some can grow to about 5 and a half feet though. Your size is medium.
* ***Speed -*** your base walking speed is 30 feet.
* ***Darkvision -*** you have a cat’s keen sense, especially in the dark. 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 colour in darkness, only shades of grey.
* ***Feline Agility -*** your reflexes and agility allow you to move with a burst of speed. When you move on your turn in combat, you can double your speed until the end of the turn. Once you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you move 0 feet on one of your turns.
* ***Cat’s Claws -*** because of your claws, you have a climbing 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.
* ***Cat’s Talent -*** you have proficiency in the Perception and Stealth skills.
* ***Languages -*** you can speak, read and write Common, Tabax, and one other language of your choice. Tabaxi often speak inconsistently, expanding certain vowels at random and jumping between the first and third persons. Those characteristics likely blend into whatever languages a Tabaxi might speak.