Catlike humanoids (Catfolk) are driven by curiosity to collect interesting artifacts, gather tales and stories, and lay eyes on all the world's wonders. They are particularly sneaky, light on their feet, and observant. Anashta the water goddess created Catfolk as a means of making mischief, and her love of cats in general. As a result, Catfolk do not fear or dislike water. Several nomadic catfolk can be found all over the land, but the bulk of their population lives in Kandarith: the only Catfolk city.
Catfolk tend to have a selfish streak and always look out for their own interests. They love making deals and are inquisitive, friendly people. However, their society is built to reward thievery, cunning, and stealth. They make excellent thieves and merchants, and they enjoy collecting shiny trinkets. They are known for their strange cultural values and the worship of their own cat demi-god, Balaji.
Personality
Catfolk are all curious in one way or another. They enjoy telling stories, exploring, and keeping secrets. Most desire the knowledge and intrigue that accompanies magical artifacts. Others are more driven by coin, and have wares to sell for it.
Although catfolk are as intelligent as any other advanced humanoid race, their animal instincts are urges that cannot be ignored. Shiny things are very attractive to catfolk, as are hiding places, and soft things to sink their claws into. However, unlike animals, they feel the entire range of human emotions. When they are happy, they might let out a purr. When angry or threatened, they may hiss.
Appearance and Physical Nature
Catfolk are much larger than humans, standing nearly seven feet tall. They have broad, muscular shoulders and lithe bodies with long tails. Female catfolk tend to be a bit smaller than their male counterparts, but it is otherwise difficult to tell the difference between them. Catfolk are surprisingly light for their size, weighing between 150 to 250 pounds.
Catfolk have varying colors of fur. They are often spotted. Those with rosette spots are fond of climbing like their jaguar ancestors, while those with solid spots are excellent sprinters like the cheetahs they were fashioned after. Tigers, lions, and other big cats are also represented in catfolk, and when they mix they create calico or oddly-colored kittens. All catfolk are compatible with each other, and fur color has no bearing on the treatment of catfolk in society. Some catfolk have extra hair on their heads and around their neck, forming a mane. Others have long tufts of fur on their tail.
Culture
Grooming is particularly important to catfolk, and so is keeping clean. In Kandarith, clothing is not viewed as a necessity. Females may wear a sash around their waist, males a loincloth; but these are fashion statements rather than a need to cover themselves. Collars are popular accessories, as are masks of silk, flowing fabric draped comfortably over the body, and piercings. Most garments are only one long piece of cloth.
Thievery is so common in Kandarith that it isn't a crime. Cats who are stolen from are blamed for not being diligent enough. As a result, catfolk have trouble integrating in other societies where thievery is a punishable offense. They also don't harbor any ill will towards thieves, believing the victim to be at fault.
Catfolk age very quickly. They are young adults by four to five years of age, and fully-fledged adults by ten years old. Catfolk do not normally live past forty. When they reach their mid-thirties, catfolk quickly decline physically. Their fur grays and their joints begin to ache of old age. Most catfolk have sharp minds until the very end. Aging has little effect on their mental faculties.
Society
Catfolk as a race are united in their beliefs and customs owing to their small population size focussed entirely within the city of Kandarith. Only a few rogue catfolk might have different ideologies.
In general, catfolk society prizes values of individual accomplishment, rest and relaxation (particularly sunning themselves and lazing about), and finding clever ways to solve problems. Clean and tidy appearances are important.
Catfolk society glorifies those who possess ancient artifacts, stories, and exotic goods rather than raw gold, as gold mines are prevalent in Isandor. In order to obtain artifacts and lay claim to the glorious stories that go with them, catfolk raid ancient tombs and strange abandoned structures in the Dread Waste. They also frequently steal from each other. Both practices are encouraged.
Families
Kinship
Raising Kittens
Beliefs About Death
Language
Names
Cuisine
In ancient times, cat clans had berserker warriors within them known as blood-stalkers. Blood stalkers ingested desert plants that heightened their inner animal senses, allowing them to strike with primal fury. For weapons, catfolk favor bolas, slings, and javelins. Some use curved swords and daggers. These weapons are often made from wood, bone or stone. Catfolk are just as likely to use weapons as they are to use their claws and teeth.
Religion
Catfolk are aware of the godly pantheon, but choose to place their trust and adoration in their own race as they can be vain, and even selfish at times. Their ancient hero Balaji is worshipped as a demigod. Balaji was a thief and a skilled fighter. Many aspire to have his wisdom and cunning. Still more try and claim they are descended from Balaji, but as there are scarce records of parentage or lineage in catfolk society, these claims cannot be proven.
Tiny golden status of Balaji are placed in shop windows and in homes to bring luck to the clan who owns it.
Notable Catfolk
“Our hearts beat together ... and they stop together as well.” — Balaji, folk hero and demigod of catfolk
“There are two things paramount to staying a Lord. First is being aware of your surroundings. Second is looking confident, and pretending you know what you're doing. Cats do not steal from cats who are alert to their surroundings.” — Kasha, Prince of Thieves
History
Not long after the gods populated Hellan, Anashta created catfolk and other animaloid creatures for Isandor. Avians took to the mountains, centaurs to the plains, and catfolk to the deserts; but Vandun and Arth quickly made orcs and goblins who took to conquering Isandor.
As time went on, catfolk and their animaloid kin were killed or enslaved by the orcs. Only the most cunning and stealthy of catfolk survived the mass genocide of their race by hiding or fleeing the continent. Hundreds of years later, when catfolk were near-extinct, the folk hero Balaji challenged the orcs’ finest champion to hand-to-hand combat.
Legends tell that Balaji was able to take down the larger foe and secure safety for his people through his wit and dexterity alone. This earned him safety for his small clan of catfolk — as orcs respect those who can defeat them in battle.
Balaji’s clan of homeless catfolk went on to found Kandarith in a secluded corner of Isandor. Balaji was hailed as a hero and immortalized as the patron protector of catfolk, giving him the status of demigod amongst catkind.
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