Leonin

## Background

Leonin are a type of bestial humanoids which can be described as being humanoid lions, both beautiful and imposing, leonin are graceful and share many traits with their wild cousins. Leonin are most commonly found in the region of Norvosh where they make up a large part of the population within the free cities. There are three distinct subraces of Leonin, these being the Royal Leonin, Wild Leonin and Grey Leonin.

Royal Leonin have creamy white fur with bright golden eyes and wear golden jewellery that marks their high standing in society. Most serve as aristocrats within the free cities, preferring the role of diplomats. Wild leonin have sharp survival instincts and are well suited for battle, having been involved in many conflicts against the Khans of the Bronze Sea.

Members of an exiled tribe, Grey Leonin are a rarity, their tribe having once fallen under the influence of negative energy from the outer planes. Their exposure to this weave has changed their kind giving them ashen fur and silver or red eyes. In addition to this, they have a deeper connection with darker aspects of the weave, which has only grown stronger through progressive generations.

## Properties

### Leonin, Royal

* **Average Lifespan.** 90 to 100 years.
* **Size.** Medium.
* **Ability Score Increase.** Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Charisma score increases by 1.
* **Speed.** Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
* **Bite.** Your strong jaws are a natural weapon, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.
* **Roar.** As an action, you can release a terrifying roar. Any creature within 20 feet of you that can hear you must make a Wisdom saving throw (DC 8 + your Charisma modifier + your proficiency bonus), or become frightened of you for 1 minute. The frightened target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. You can’t use this trait again until after you complete a short or long rest.
* **Regal Presence.** Leonin are physically impressive, although not all choose to channel that advantage in the same way. Choose proficiency in one of the following skills: Intimidation, Performance, or Persuasion.
* **Interpreter.** You can speak, read, and write two extra languages of your choice, and you have advantage on Charisma ability checks made when you are the only one present who can interpret for two or more parties of creatures.
* **Celestial Blessing.** In ages past, the royal line of your ancestors was blessed by a god. Remnants of the blessing still remain, granting you resistance to radiant damage.
* **Languages.** You can speak, read and write Common and three other languages that you and your DM agree are appropriate for your character.

### Leonin, Wild

* **Average Lifespan.** 90 to 100 years.
* **Size.** Medium.
* **Ability Score Increase.** Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Dexterity score increases by 1.
* **Speed.** Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
* **Bite.** Your strong jaws are a natural weapon, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.
* **Roar.** As an action, you can release a terrifying roar. Any creature within 20 feet of you that can hear you must make a Wisdom saving throw (DC 8 + your Charisma modifier + your proficiency bonus), or become frightened of you for 1 minute. The frightened target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. You can’t use this trait again until after you complete a short or long rest.
* **Regal Presence.** Leonin are physically impressive, although not all choose to channel that advantage in the same way. Choose proficiency in one of the following skills: Intimidation, Performance, or Persuasion.
* **Savage Attacks.** When you score a critical hit with a melee weapon attack, you can roll one of the weapon’s damage dice one additional time and add it to the extra damage of the critical hit.
* **Instinct.** You have proficiency in the Survival skill.
* **Languages.** You can speak, read and write Common and one other language that you and your DM agree is appropriate for your character.

### Leonin, Grey

* **Average Lifespan.** 90 to 100 years.
* **Size.** Medium.
* **Ability Score Increase.** Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Intelligence or Wisdom score increases by 1.
* **Speed.** Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
* **Bite.** Your strong jaws are a natural weapon, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.
* **Roar.** As an action, you can release a terrifying roar. Any creature within 20 feet of you that can hear you must make a Wisdom saving throw (DC 8 + your Charisma modifier + your proficiency bonus), or become frightened of you for 1 minute. The frightened target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. You can’t use this trait again until after you complete a short or long rest.
* **Regal Presence.** Leonin are physically impressive, although not all choose to channel that advantage in the same way. Choose proficiency in one of the following skills: Intimidation, Performance, or Persuasion.
* **Legacy of Shadow.** You know the *toll the dead* cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the *dissonant whispers* spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the *shadow blade* spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Your spellcasting ability for these spells is either Intelligence or Wisdom, matching the choice you made for your Ability Score Increase.
* **Languages.** You can speak, read and write Common and one other language that you and your DM agree is appropriate for your character.