Since Catfolk seem to be closed material (I don't think they are in OGL), I thought I'd work up the species I use in my own campaign and update them a little. Below is the rough draft, so I'm looking for comments. Not flames, thanks, just constructive criticism. :)
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Fashtali (humanoid)
Fashtali are a group of humanoid felines that belong to one of several clans. They are a proud and generally neutral species. Their preferred environments are different by clan, although it is not unusual to find individuals of various clans living in the territory of another clan. While intra-clan pairings are uncommon for the Fashtali, they are not unheard of. When two Fashtali of different clans mate, the offspring are all of the clan of the mother.
Fashtali generally get along with other species that do not attack them first. Intraclan warfare is almost unheard of. Almost all intraclan conflicts are resolved via contests of prowess rather than warfare. Athletic competitions, races, or other methods of non-violent competition. If that does not solve the situation, the leaders of the two clans (or the two clan segments) involved in the dispute will on rare occasions duel to the death, with both clans accepting the outcome.
Like their feline cousins, most Fashtali avoid submersing themselves in water (although there are exceptions). They are carniverous omnivores, and while they can survive without meat, they are not happy on such a diet.
Common Fashtali Traits
Size : Medium
Speed : 30 feet
Senses : Lowlight Vision, Ultrasonic Hearing
Special : Ultrasonic Hearing – A Fashtali is capable of hearing at a much higher pitch than other species. This gives them the ability to hear sounds that other sentients cannot, such as the high-pitched whine of a dog-trainer's whistle.
Special : Claws – Fashtali have natural claws that do 1d4+Str, and may make a full attack action and take two Claw attacks, both at 1d4+Str. They take any appropriate penalties for off-hand attacks, but are considered armed even when not holding a weapon. A claw attack against an armed opponent does not provoke an attack of opportunity. Any feats which work with unarmed attacks also work with their claws. A Fashtali who carries nothing in either hand, and has no footwear on gains a +2 Circumstance bonus to climb checks thanks to their claws.
Skills : +2 Racial Bonus to Perception
Automatic Languages : Common, Fashtali.
Bonus Languages : Elven, Sylvan.
Here are the actual clans of Fashtali. Only 4 to start with. I think that's enough for now. May add something else later, if I see a glaring hole.
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Beigra Clan
The Beigra clans usually live in heavy jungles, or occasionally swamps, and are rather insular, usually not building great cities. They prefer small communal villages or solitary homes. Beigra superficially resemble the tigers that live in such places, and often keep domesticated tigers as pets, guard animals, and hunting companions. A Beigra Druid or Ranger may add a Tiger to his list of Animal Companions at first level (although this tiger is a cub at first level, and takes adjustments to their stats accordingly). It continues to age and grow until it attains it's normal stats at the time the druid or ranger would normally be able to take that animal as a companion. Otherwise, it follows all rules for animal companions. Beigra have no aversion to water.
Stats : +2 Str, +2 Con, -2 Dex
Usual Terrain : Jungles
Skills : +2 Racial Bonus to Climb, Jump and Swim
Alignment : Usually Neutral
Khava Clan
The Khava clans usually live on open savanna or plains, and are very social and prefer to live in tight-knit groups. They are the most widely spread of the clans, and also the most likely to deal with non-Fashtali peoples. Khava also often share their territories with the Sleeva clan, as they each want something different in the same area (see below). Khava superficially resemble the lions that live in savannas or plains, and often keep domesticated lions as pets, guard animals, and hunting companions. A Khava Druid or Ranger may add a Lion to his list of Animal Companions at first level (although this lion is a cub at first level, and takes adjustments to their stats accordingly). It continues to age and grow until it attains it's normal stats at the time the druid or ranger would normally be able to take that animal as a companion. Otherwise, it follows all rules for animal companions.
Stats : +2 Str, +2 Wis, -2 Dex
Usual Terrain : Savannas and Plains
Skills : +2 Racial Bonus to Diplomacy and Intimidation
Alignment : Usually Lawful Neutral
Gheira Clan
The Gheira clans usually live in forested areas, are moderately sociable, and tend towards small towns or villages that are built in tree-tops. They are often friendly with any elves or druids that live in the same region. Gheira are also smarter than most of the other clans, and revere games that test their mental prowess, such as riddles or puzzles. This obsession with puzzles and riddles and other mental exercises, however, tends to make them oblivious to what is going on around them. A sometimes dangerous thing for a clan that usually lives 40 to 50 feet off the ground. Gheira superficially resemble Cougars, Panthers or Jaguars, who are often native to their preferred environments, and often keep domesticated cougars and jaguars as pets, guard animals, and hunting companions. A Gheira Druid or Ranger may add a Cougar, Panther or Jaguar to his list of Animal Companions at first level (although this animal is a cub at first level, and takes adjustments to their stats accordingly). It continues to age and grow until it attains it's normal stats at the time the druid or ranger would normally be able to take that animal as a companion. Otherwise, it follows all rules for animal companions.
Stats : +2 Dex, +2 Int, -2 Wis
Usuall Terrain : Forests
Skills : +2 Racial Bonus to Knowledge (History) and Linguistics (grants bonus languages)
Alignment : Usually Neutral
Sleeva Clan
The Sleeva usually live in savannas and plains, although some also live in desert areas. They are extremely quick and agile, and rarely build towns or cities, instead maintaining a nomadic way of life. Even family's are rare, it is more often the case to find a mated couple staying together long enough for the offspring to reach adolescence and then parents and child all part ways. Sleeva sperficially resemble Cheetahs, who are often native to their preferred environments, and often keep domesticated Cheetahs as hunting companions (not having homes, there is little need for guard animals or pets). A Sleeva Druid or Ranger may add a Cheetah to his list of Animal Companions at first level (although this animal is a cub at first level, and takes adjustments to their stats accordingly). It continues to age and grow until it attains it's normal stats at the time the druid or ranger would normally be able to take that animal as a companion. Otherwise, it follows all rules for animal companions.
Stats : +2 Dex
Usual Terrain : Savannas, Plains, and sometimes Desserts
Skills : +2 Racial Bonus to Acrobatics and Stealth
Speed : Sleeva gain a +10 Racial Bonus to their Speed attribute, they lose this racial bonus if they wear armor with an armor check penalty.
Special : Free Spirit – Sleeva do not deal well with heavily urbanized areas like large cities, nor with confined spaces (such as prison or a ship at sea). Every 24 hours they are in such an environment, they must make a Will check (DC 15) to continue staying there. Every 5 checks, the DC increases by one. When a Sleeva fails the check, he must attempt to leave the objectionable environment. If unable to, he will sink into a depression (-2 penalty to all attack rolls, skill checks, and saves) until he has spent 24 hours in an open environment. A critical failure results in a frenzied attempt to leave the environment (throwing himself against the bars if in jail until he bashes himself unconscious, throwing himself from a ship in the middle of the ocean) until he is able to or until he loses consciousness. If he survives this frenzy, he will sink into a depression as stated above. While frenzied, anyone attempting to restrain the Sleeva is attacked without regard to who they are.
Alignment : Usually Chaotic Neutral
I highly recommend posting this on PathfinderDB.
I highly recommend posting this on PathfinderDB.
I might, once I've gotten some feedback. Didn't even know that place existed. :)
With the Ultra Sonic hearing... wouldn't it be more appropriate to just grant a +2 or 4 tp Perception checks based on hearing?
I like this writeup. However, you don't need to explicitly add the appropriate cats to the Druid's animal companion list. "Cat, Big" specifically covers Lions and Tigers, and "Cat, Small" should cover the cougars and cheetahs.
I highly recommend posting this on PathfinderDB.I might, once I've gotten some feedback. Didn't even know that place existed. :)
Its a great site and has a lot of promise as a place to go for all fan-made content for Pathfinder. I have nothing to do with it but have spoken to the creator. He's a great guy and I recommend using the site for all such things.
With the Ultra Sonic hearing... wouldn't it be more appropriate to just grant a +2 or 4 tp Perception checks based on hearing?
I did, it's in the common traits. The Ultrasonic Hearing entry is more fluff than anything, but it makes sense for the race. The +2 perception in the common traits is a combination of Ultrasonic Hearing and just a naturally keen sense of sight/smell that goes with it. Rather than break it out, since PF seems to be going for a more generalized perception method, I lumped it all together into a general +2 with some fluff.
I like this writeup. However, you don't need to explicitly add the appropriate cats to the Druid's animal companion list. "Cat, Big" specifically covers Lions and Tigers, and "Cat, Small" should cover the cougars and cheetahs.
Good catch, I didn't have my PDF with me when I worked on that bit (it's new). Thanks, I'll update it in my notes and repost the race later after I've given some more time for feedback.
With the Ultra Sonic hearing... wouldn't it be more appropriate to just grant a +2 or 4 tp Perception checks based on hearing?I did, it's in the common traits. The Ultrasonic Hearing entry is more fluff than anything, but it makes sense for the race. The +2 perception in the common traits is a combination of Ultrasonic Hearing and just a naturally keen sense of sight/smell that goes with it. Rather than break it out, since PF seems to be going for a more generalized perception method, I lumped it all together into a general +2 with some fluff.
Oops.. my bad... I missed that. :o(
Its a great site and has a lot of promise as a place to go for all fan-made content for Pathfinder. I have nothing to do with it but have spoken to the creator. He's a great guy and I recommend using the site for all such things.I highly recommend posting this on PathfinderDB.I might, once I've gotten some feedback. Didn't even know that place existed. :)
I'll join and take a look around it when I'm not at work. :) For now, this is about all I can really do, posting while waiting for something to explode for me to fix. :)
Oops.. my bad... I missed that. :o(With the Ultra Sonic hearing... wouldn't it be more appropriate to just grant a +2 or 4 tp Perception checks based on hearing?I did, it's in the common traits. The Ultrasonic Hearing entry is more fluff than anything, but it makes sense for the race. The +2 perception in the common traits is a combination of Ultrasonic Hearing and just a naturally keen sense of sight/smell that goes with it. Rather than break it out, since PF seems to be going for a more generalized perception method, I lumped it all together into a general +2 with some fluff.
Nah,
No worries. Rather have something pointed out that might be confusing than miss it. I'm updating the fluff piece to include mention of the senses being sharp. Thanks for the heads up.
Its a great site and has a lot of promise as a place to go for all fan-made content for Pathfinder. I have nothing to do with it but have spoken to the creator. He's a great guy and I recommend using the site for all such things.I highly recommend posting this on PathfinderDB.I might, once I've gotten some feedback. Didn't even know that place existed. :)
My ears were burning. Thanks jreyst! I didn't want to pipe in on every thread of this type, but yeah, I'm trying to keep a great repository of everything you'd find in typical 3rd party materials but all from fans.
Slightly updated 'fluff' for common Fashtali traits. To address some of the issues that have been brought up so far.
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Fashtali (humanoid)
Fashtali are a group of humanoid felines that belong to one of several clans. They are a proud and generally neutral species. Their preferred environments are different by clan, although it is not unusual to find individuals of various clans living in the territory of another clan. While intra-clan pairings are uncommon for the Fashtali, they are not unheard of. When two Fashtali of different clans mate, the offspring are all of the clan of the mother.
Fashtali generally get along with other species that do not attack them first. Intraclan warfare is unheard of. All intraclan conflicts are resolved via contests of prowess rather than warfare. Athletic competitions, races, or other methods of non-violent competition. If that does not solve the situation, the leaders of the two clans (or the two clan segments) involved in the dispute will on rare occasions duel to the death, with both clans accepting the outcome.
Like their feline cousins, most Fashtali avoid submersing themselves in water (although there are exceptions). They are carniverous omnivores, and while they can survive without meat, they are not happy on such a diet. Fashtali have very acute senses, including their sense of hearing, which ranges high up into the ultrasonic. A Fashtali's voice also ranges up into the ultrasonic, and they consider non-Fashtali voices to be flat and dull in comparison. Non Fashtali, in turn, find Fashtali voices and singing to be somewhat painful to the ears due to it's extremely high notes, and it often sounds off key due to their inability to perceive the entire range of the voice. Fashtali voices tend to make domestic dogs and wolves extremely uncomfortable.
On a purely way to make them cooler I have to ask, "What is their hook?" It is another cat race. so what makes this one different from all the other ones out there? What makes them cool and something I want to play?
Cat people run...
run like the wind...
My ears were burning. Thanks jreyst! I didn't want to pipe in on every thread of this type, but yeah, I'm trying to keep a great repository of everything you'd find in typical 3rd party materials but all from fans.Its a great site and has a lot of promise as a place to go for all fan-made content for Pathfinder. I have nothing to do with it but have spoken to the creator. He's a great guy and I recommend using the site for all such things.I highly recommend posting this on PathfinderDB.I might, once I've gotten some feedback. Didn't even know that place existed. :)
I registered, but will wait to upload when I feel I've gotten enough feedback (or that enough time has passed without feedback). Two things though.
1) Your race submission form still has a slot for Favored Class. :) I guess this can be used to list One or Two (as per half elf/half orc). But the help button says pick a class from Pathfinder core. :)
2) Are you ok with a Creative Commons Non-Commercial copyright on submitted works? It's basically, you can use it as much as you like as long as you don't charge for it copyright. I don't mind putting stuff out there for people to use, but would be a little upset if someone picked it up and plopped it in their $20 book and claimed copyright on it. Not looking at Paizo here, I don't think they'd ever do something like that. But I have done some stuff for other systems, and then mysteriously had it show up in a book a year or two later almost word for word with my personal typed up and printed out notes (I think players in my game at the time posted some of it on the web, and there you go).
On a purely way to make them cooler I have to ask, "What is their hook?" It is another cat race. so what makes this one different from all the other ones out there? What makes them cool and something I want to play?
Personally? I think it's the Clans, each clan is different, both in appearance and bonus's. Additionally, I don't remember any feline race anywhere that had them broken up by clans. You can find that in other systems (white wolf). But not in any D&D supplement or location I know of.
Cat people run...
run like the wind...
Well, the Sleeva do at any rate. :)
A Sleeva Monk would certainly be the wind, if they were stable enough to commit to that sort of long term training. Which is probably a good thing they aren't. :)
Strictly speaking, wouldn't the supersonic hearing translate to vulnerability to sonic damage?
Director of Narrative
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Cat people run...
run like the wind...
Well, the Sleeva do at any rate. :)
A Sleeva Monk would certainly be the wind, if they were stable enough to commit to that sort of long term training. Which is probably a good thing they aren't. :)
I think he was referring to this.
Strictly speaking, wouldn't the supersonic hearing translate to vulnerability to sonic damage?
Not really. I mean, you can hear, you don't have a vulnerability to 13,000 hz noise, do you? Humans generally hear from 16 Hz to 16,000 Hz (although individuals vary somewhat). Just because you can hear a different range of frequencies doesn't make you any more vulnerable to sonic damage.
What it would mean is that very LOUD ultrasonics would hurt, just like very LOUD regular sounds hurt. A leaf rustling is about 10db. Pain for a human starts around 130. A jet engine is about 150db. The only 'vulnerability' would be that a Fashtali would find 150db's of ultrasonics painful where a Human would wince a little and look around, trying to figure out why he was getting a headache (it' still hits the eardrum).
I think as cats go a +4 to perception would be a racial bonus to consider instead of +2. Also how about a bonus to acrobatics +2 , stealth +2 . Cats are sneaky, have great perception and always land on their feet!
On the abilities, to me cats are always dextrous. some maybe strong (like panthers) and some maybe wise (like lions), but being animals and not humans I think the big hit would be to either Intelligence or Charisma.
So something like +2 Dex, +2 Str , -2 Int or +2 Dex, +2 Wis, -2 Cha
They should definitely get the feat Scent.
Something that could be unique about them, maybe they have natural camouflage giving them a bonus to AC or Stealth.
They would have stronger hides then human so maybe a +1 to ac.
Just a thought.
1) Your race submission form still has a slot for Favored Class. :) I guess this can be used to list One or Two (as per half elf/half orc). But the help button says pick a class from Pathfinder core. :)
I can change the help text. The form doesn't restrict what you type in there.
2) Are you ok with a Creative Commons Non-Commercial copyright on submitted works? It's basically, you can use it as much as you like as long as you don't charge for it copyright. I don't mind putting stuff out there for people to use, but would be a little upset if someone picked it up and plopped it in their $20 book and claimed copyright on it. Not looking at Paizo here, I don't think they'd ever do something like that. But I have done some stuff for other systems, and then mysteriously had it show up in a book a year or two later almost word for word with my personal typed up and printed out notes (I think players in my game at the time posted some of it on the web, and there you go).
As far as IP goes, this is what my friend the IP lawyer told me. Because you're submitting something to the Pathfinder Database, you're granting ME a license to publish that content. I may make small edits or format the text to the most common Pathfinder RPG standard, but on the whole, the text is yours. If someone copies it from the web site, I really don't have much control over that besides doing things to make it more difficult for them to copy the content. This is, of course, a zero-sum game. So my answer is, I'm happy to add whatever text you want to an article to help enforce a copyright, but I can't technically guarantee that it won't be copied.
EDIT: Also, just so we're clear, in the Terms of Use, I state that I will never charge for the content. I have no plans on making any money from this, just love the experience and have a great time reading all the content.
2) Are you ok with a Creative Commons Non-Commercial copyright on submitted works? It's basically, you can use it as much as you like as long as you don't charge for it copyright. I don't mind putting stuff out there for people to use, but would be a little upset if someone picked it up and plopped it in their $20 book and claimed copyright on it. Not looking at Paizo here, I don't think they'd ever do something like that. But I have done some stuff for other systems, and then mysteriously had it show up in a book a year or two later almost word for word with my personal typed up and printed out notes (I think players in my game at the time posted some of it on the web, and there you go).As far as IP goes, this is what my friend the IP lawyer told me. Because you're submitting something to the Pathfinder Database, you're granting ME a license to publish that content. I may make small edits or format the text to the most common Pathfinder RPG standard, but on the whole, the text is yours. If someone copies it from the web site, I really don't have much control over that besides doing things to make it more difficult for them to copy the content. This is, of course, a zero-sum game. So my answer is, I'm happy to add whatever text you want to an article to help enforce a copyright, but I can't technically guarantee that it won't be copied.
EDIT: Also, just so we're clear, in the Terms of Use, I state that I will never charge for the content. I have no plans on making any money from this, just love the experience and have a great time reading all the content.
Absolutely, I think we are on the same page here. :) I was pretty much asking if you would mind adding the CCNC copyright reference to the text. :) Honestly your terms are pretty much in line with it. You might want to look into it as a 'standard' since it fits your site. I'll post this up sometime this week to you.
I think as cats go a +4 to perception would be a racial bonus to consider instead of +2. Also how about a bonus to acrobatics +2 , stealth +2 . Cats are sneaky, have great perception and always land on their feet!
On the abilities, to me cats are always dextrous. some maybe strong (like panthers) and some maybe wise (like lions), but being animals and not humans I think the big hit would be to either Intelligence or Charisma.
So something like +2 Dex, +2 Str , -2 Int or +2 Dex, +2 Wis, -2 Cha
They should definitely get the feat Scent.
Something that could be unique about them, maybe they have natural camouflage giving them a bonus to AC or Stealth.
They would have stronger hides then human so maybe a +1 to ac.
Just a thought.
Well,
I agree with most of what you said. However, I'm also trying to get races that are on the same level as the core races. That way don't have to worry about effective levels (esp since Pathfinder hasn't specified how to handle more powerful races yet).I might add in the scent feat though, that is a glaring omission.
As to Int and Cha hits, they aren't human, but that doesn't mean they have to be dumb or uncharismatic. They technically aren't animals. Note that the descriptions are 'superficially resemble'. Humans 'superficially' resemble rhesus monkeys, doesn't mean we're as dumb as they are. :) Basically, they are to Lions and Tigers and Cougars (oh my!) as we are to Apes and Chimps and Orangutans. Most Chimps are vastly more dextrous than humans, so a clan taking a dex hit doesn't seem too unusual if they get something to show for it.
This pleases Kevin Greatly. Although I would suggest just having having one general set of stats instead of a different one for each clan (Perhaps cover differences in clan with race trait instead?)
Well, that's sort of what I'm trying to do. Thing is, if you picture them mentally, a lion clan is not going to have the same physical build as a cheetah clan. So it's hard to base them all off the same stat bonus's (that's something I've never liked about catfolk in Miniatures book).
I am glad you like them though. :)
Absolutely, I think we are on the same page here. :) I was pretty much asking if you would mind adding the CCNC copyright reference to the text. :) Honestly your terms are pretty much in line with it. You might want to look into it as a 'standard' since it fits your site. I'll post this up sometime this week to you.
I can add a link and a disclaimer regarding this to the footer of the site or to your articles individually.
Absolutely, I think we are on the same page here. :) I was pretty much asking if you would mind adding the CCNC copyright reference to the text. :) Honestly your terms are pretty much in line with it. You might want to look into it as a 'standard' since it fits your site. I'll post this up sometime this week to you.I can add a link and a disclaimer regarding this to the footer of the site or to your articles individually.
I would suggest you use it for the site, but that is a decision you have to make. :) It is your site. I would be satisfied with it being added to my submissions. Thanks. I've seen some feedback on here, but nothing regarding major changes, and I'm relatively happy with it. I'll post this to your site shortly.
How do you see these catfolk actually looking physically Fairly human bodies (ala Escaflowne) or a much more animal like build (Ie more Gnoll like)
Very humanoid bodies, fairly humanoid faces (ala Escaflowne or Thundercats).
Speaking of which, here are some links to a pictures that influenced the design. They are not mine, so I can't upload them to the pathfinderdb website, but they are great art, so I don't mind sending a few people to the guys art site.