Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Dhaerow 04-10-07, 10:04 AM	Here is a race I have created, for use in different campaigns. In one of the campaigns they are a major race, in a forest setting. In another they are mainly slaves shipped in from the south. I realize there must be a lot of feline races posted here, but I'm not trying to be original or anything. Apecat (Humanoid) http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/1130/nykatpelssscd7.jpg Racial Traits • -2 Strength, +4 Dexterity, -2 Intelligence: Apecats are very agile and quick, but they are rather weak and slow to learn new skills. • Small: As a small creature, an Apecat gains a +1 size bonus to Armor Class, a +1 size bonus on Hide checks, but she uses smaller weapons than humans use, and her lifting and carrying limits are three quarters of those of a Medium character. • Apecat base land speed is 30 feet. • +4 racial bonus on Balance, Climb and Jump checks • +2 racial bonus on Spot, Listen and Move Silently checks • Low-Light Vision: An apecat can see twice as far as a human in starlight, moonlight, torchlight, and similar conditions of poor illumination. She retains the ability to distinguish colors under these conditions. • Scent: Apecats are able to detect approaching enemies, sniff out hidden foes, and track by sense of smell. • Agile Athlete: Apecats gain Agile Athlete as a free racial feat, allowing them to add their dexterity bonus, instead of their strength bonus, to Climb and Jump checks. • Natural Claw Attacks: Apecats are able to use their retractable claws as natural weapons. As a standard action they can attack once with each hand, at their highest attack bonus, each dealing 1d3 points of piercing and slashing damage. They do not gain extra attacks with their claws, as their base attack bonus improves. (Standard for natural claw attacks) • Favored Class: Rogue, ninja or scout. A multiclass apecat’s rogue, ninja or scout class does not count when determining whether she takes an experience point penalty for multiclassing. If she has levels in more than one of her favored classes, only her highest-level favored class does not count. • Level Adjustment: +1 • Alignment: Usually Chaotic Good Adulthood---Middle Age---Old--------Venerable---Maximum Age 8 years-----20 years-----30 years---40 years----+2d6 years Gender---Base Height---Height Modifier---Base Weight---Weight Modifier Male-----2’ 10”----------+2d4-----------25 lb.----------x 1 lb. Female---2’ 8”-----------+2d4-----------20 lb.----------x 1 lb. Description Apecats, as they are popularly referred to, are small, lightly built humanoids, with feline characteristic, including cat-like facial features and ears, claws, a long tail and a body covered by fine, usually brown fur. They stand about three feet tall and usually weigh between 20 and 25 pounds. Apecats are rather weak, but very quick, agile and have keen senses. Apecats are relatively short lived. They reach adulthood at the age of eight and most live to be around 45 years old. They are nocturnal and only eat meat and fish, preferably raw. Their natural environments are warm forests and jungles, where they live in small disorganized tribes, hunting for survival. They are not very intelligent or good with tools, but they are able hunters, trackers and stalkers. Apecats native to different regions utilize different, but similar languages. They are simple, but functional and have no systems of writing. Most tribes have their own distinctive dialect. Apecats are curious, impulsive and unhesitating. They are very energetic, but require more rest than humans. Apecats' curiosity and (over)confidence in their ability to escape dangerous situations result in boldness. Apecats are very chaotic of nature and personal freedom is extremely important to them. Above anything, they hate feeling confined, and can be slightly claustrophobic at times. They dislike wearing attire and armor that restricts their freedom of movement, especially on their hands, feet and heads. Decisions in an Apecat tribe are reached collectively. There are rarely any leaders. Apecats are nomadic and a tribe rarely settles in one place for good. They hunt in groups, at night, using simple short bows, slings or javelins. They spend most of the day relaxing, playing and sleeping safely in the treetops. Apecats' curiosity sometimes makes them end up in sticky situations, but Apecat tribes try to avoid obviously dangerous conflicts with outsiders. Strangers approaching a tribe would usually either be greeted or avoided, rarely attacked. Freedom is so important to the nature of Apecats, that those who have it robbed, quickly loose their will to live. Apecats in imprisonment or slavery rarely live to be older than 25 years of age. Nonetheless, Apecats are a popular commodity on the slave markets of "civilized" races. They are actually most popular in some countries that formally ban slavery, where it's argued that owning Apecats is not slavery, since they are closer to animals than people. Apecat slaves are rarely used for labor and most end up as pets of rich collectors. Female Apecats are the most sought after, as they have a less disobedient nature than males and therefore not as difficult to "tame" (break would be a better word). Apecats born into slavery are easily disciplined by their masters, but become will less and never display the life energy of free ones. Blackcat (Apecat subrace) Racial Traits • -2 Strength, +4 Dexterity: Blackcats are very agile and quick, but they are rather weak. They are more intelligent than normal apecats. • Small: As a small creature, a blackcat gains a +1 size bonus to Armor Class, a +1 size bonus on Hide checks, but she uses smaller weapons than humans use, and her lifting and carrying limits are three quarters of those of a Medium character. • Blackcat base land speed is 30 feet. • +2 racial bonus on saving throws against poison: Blackcats has inherited some of the fiendish resistance against poison. • +4 racial bonus on Balance, Climb and Jump checks • +2 racial bonus on Spot, Listen and Move Silently checks • Low-Light Vision: A Blackcat can see twice as far as a human in starlight, moonlight, torchlight, and similar conditions of poor illumination. She retains the ability to distinguish colors under these conditions. • Scent: Blackcats are able to detect approaching enemies, sniff out hidden foes, and track by sense of smell. • Agile Athlete: Blackcats gain Agile Athlete as a free racial feat, allowing them to add their dexterity, instead of their strength bonus, bonus to Climb and Jump checks. • Natural Claw Attacks: Blackcats are able to use their retractable claws as natural weapons. As a standard action they can attack once with each hand, at their highest attack bonus, each dealing 1d3 points of piercing and slashing damage. They do not gain extra attacks with their claws, as their base attack bonus improves. • See in Darkness: Blackcats can see perfectly in darkness of any kind, even that created by a deeper darkness spell. • Favored Class: Rogue, ninja or scout. A multiclass blackcats’s rogue, ninja or scout class does not count when determining whether she takes an experience point penalty for multiclassing. If she has levels in more than one of her favored classes, only her highest-level favored class does not count. • Level Adjustment: +2 • Alignment: Usually Neutral Adulthood---Middle Age---Old--------Venerable---Maximum Age 8 years-----20 years-----30 years---40 years----+2d6 years Gender---Base Height---Height Modifier---Base Weight---Weight Modifier Male-----2’ 10”----------+2d4-----------25 lb.----------x 1 lb. Female---2’ 8”-----------+2d4-----------20 lb.----------x 1 lb. Description Blackcats, or Devilcats as they are also called, are the result of a breeding program initiated about a hundred years ago (thus spanning more than ten apecat generations) by a large, powerful assassin organization. As such, they are very limited in number, most of them belonging to, and working for, the organization. They have become renowned and feared for their natural expertise as assassins. The organization was certain that Apecats could make great assassins and spies, because of their superior speed and agility, their small size and their ability to operate in the dark, if it wasn't for their somewhat limited intelligence and very chaotic, disobedient nature, which made it difficult for them to reach the level of discipline and dedication required by the profession. The breeding program was started in order to create a breed without these undesirable traits. The organization acquired the most desirable apecats on the market, forced them to breed, selected the most promising offspring for continued selective breeding, and so on. At an early stage they began experimenting with adding fiendish blood to the breed. This paid off, and the newest generations has inherited a few useful fiendish traits, including the ability to see in darkness, conjure magical darkness and a resistance against poison, even though they are only about one eighth part fiend. The fiendish blood has of course also resulted in slightly evil tendencies. The early generations weren't very successful, but the newest generations surprised everyone. It was obvious that a new race had been created, its members possessing fiendish traits and being more intelligent, with a less chaotic and more obedient nature than the vast majority of Apecats. The organization favored dark fur, which they found out also was related to temperament, thus most of the members of this race is completely black. This has resulted in the new race being referred to as "Blackcats". They can also be recognized in darkness by their fiend-like, red glowing eyes. Most Blackcats are removed from their mother while just a few months old, and the closest they ever come to a parent is a cruel human mentor. Never experiencing motherly love makes them rather coldhearted, which is of course intentional. Even though they are little more than slaves, they don't despise their masters as much as one would think. Surely their life can't be any worse than the normal Apecats who are shipped to the country everyday. They also feel somewhat privileged to be a member of a superior race, and it's not that they don't like their job. In fact most of them love the excitement and being able to use their natural skills to fullest. It's as close to their hunter nature as they are able to come. Incidents do happen, however. Several Blackcats have killed their masters in a burst of fury, and a few of these have even been able to escape alive. Any thoughts?
Spikes01k 04-10-07, 10:22 AM	Well it seams to be a normal furry/cat girl race. If you insist on this I am surprised you haven't given the LA+1 a +2 Cha. If you want to add a +2 cha to the LA 0 maybe give them a -2 wisdom but a natural +2 spot and listen. P.S. The LA 0 is still overpowered. Lose the +4 to balance, climb and jump or remove the +2 listen and move silently, and reduce the balance, climb, and jump to +2.
Spikes01k 04-10-07, 02:21 PM	• -2 str, +2 dex, -2 int • Small size • Base speed 30 ft. • +4 balance, climb and jump • +2 spot, listen and move silently • Darkvision out to 60 ft. • Scent • Agile Athlete feat (dex to climb and jump) • LA +1 Your current build seems good. I personally really think you should add +2 Cha. However if you a more official version of cat people check out RoW cat folk.
Spikes01k 04-10-07, 02:22 PM	woooh your changing them as I am posting, your Black Cats are not really worth LA+2, they are still +1 in my opinion. P.S. If want a good example of the weekest LA +1 check out the plane touched, if you want the strongest LA+1 check out the Goliaths which are in the RoS.
Dhaerow 04-10-07, 02:33 PM	Your current build seems good. I personally really think you should add +2 Cha. This was the built I used originally in my games, I figured it was probably better than the other two versions I was considering, anyway, I don't really see a need for a +2 charisma modifier. Why would they need that? However if you a more official version of cat people check out RoW cat folk. I've looked at them, and used them in my campaign, but they are different from this race in a number of ways. woooh your changing them as I am posting Sorry, I was going to respond, explaining what i changed. Anyway, I appreciate your response.
Dhaerow 04-11-07, 10:24 AM	I'f my Apecats had to have no level adjustment, would these stats be alright? • -2 str, +2 dex, -2 int • Small size • Base speed 30 ft. • +4 balance, climb • +2 spot, listen and move silently • Darkvision out to 60 ft. • Agile Athlete feat (dex to climb and jump)
YabaTheWhat 04-11-07, 02:37 PM	Apecats http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/5336/cat9it.jpgNice artwork. • -2 str, +2 dex, -2 int [+4-3-3 = -2 FP] • Small size [0 FP] • Base speed 30 ft. [6 FP] • +4 balance, climb and jump [2x3 = 6 FP] • +2 spot, listen and move silently [1x3 = 3 FP] • Darkvision out to 60 ft. [3 FP] • Scent [6 FP] • Agile Athlete feat (dex to climb and jump) [3 FP] • Natural claw attacks dealing 1d3 points of damage [1 FP] • LA +1 Total = 26 FP, LA+1 underpowered. That's assuming the claw attacks can't be used simultaneously with grasped weapons. Blackcats (subrace) • -2 str, +4 dex [+9+3h-3 = 9 FP] • Small size [0 FP] • Base speed 30 ft. [6 FP] • +4 balance, climb and jump [6 FP] • +2 spot, listen and move silently [3 FP] • Darkvision out to 60 ft. [3 FP] • Scent [6 FP] • Agile Athlete feat (dex to climb and jump) [3 FP] • Natural claw attacks dealing 1d3 points of damage [1 FP] • LA +2 Total = 37 FP, LA+1 balanced. If my Apecats had to have no level adjustment, would these stats be alright? • -2 str, +2 dex, -2 int [-2 FP] • Small size [0 FP] • Base speed 30 ft. [6 FP] • +4 balance, climb [4 FP] • +2 spot, listen and move silently [3 FP] • Darkvision out to 60 ft. [3 FP] • Agile Athlete feat (dex to climb and jump)[3 FP] Total = 17 FP, LA+0 overpowered. I hope this helps.
Dhaerow 04-11-07, 03:22 PM	Thanks for your respons. Total = 17 FP, LA+0 overpowered. I see. But it's not grossly overpowered is it? In the long run the intelligence modifier will cost a lot of skillpoints. What if i remove either the either the spot or the listen bonus. Will it be alright then? I don't know what else to do, without ruining the concept. Maybe I could change darkvision to lowlight vision, but I think it would be too difficult/unrealistic to hunt in jungle at night, with that alone. Maybe I should stick with Apecats at LA +1. How does this sound? • -2 str, +4 dex, -2 int • Small size • Base speed 30 ft. • +4 balance, climb and jump • +2 spot, listen and move silently • Darkvision out to 60 ft. • Scent • Agile Athlete feat • Natural claw attacks dealing 1d3 points of damage • Favored class Rogue • LA +1 I would need to make the Blackcats more powerful, it seems. I guess it's plausible that at some point in the breeding project, the organization added a bit of fiendish blood. What kind of subtle, fiendish traits could i add to the black cats, making them worth the +2 LA? I think something related to stealth/darkness fits the theme. Edit: Alright, how about this for Blackcats? Suppose a little Erinyes blood was added a few generations ago. • -2 str, +4 dex • Small size • Base speed 30 ft. • +4 balance, climb and jump • +2 spot, listen and move silently • See in darkness • +2 bonus on fortitude savings throws against poison • Scent • Agile Athlete feat • Natural claw attacks dealing 1d3 points of damage • Favored class Rogue • LA +2
YabaTheWhat 04-11-07, 05:02 PM	I see. But it's not grossly overpowered is it? In the long run the intelligence modifier will cost a lot of skillpoints. What if i remove either the either the spot or the listen bonus. Will it be alright then? I don't know what else to do, without ruining the concept. Maybe I could change darkvision to lowlight vision, but I think it would be too difficult/unrealistic to hunt in jungle at night, with that alone. Maybe I should stick with Apecats at LA +1. In the version I quoted at LA+0 overpowered, they're about comparable to the Raptoran. They can still be played in a party with other LA+0 characters, so long as everyone is alright with them having a slight edge. It isn't enough of an advantage to upset game balance. Most nocturnal hunters have low-light vision. They hunt by starlight, moonlight, or whatever other ambient light exists. Darkvision mainly belongs to underground creatures, who have no light source at all. Dropping the two +4 skill bonuses to +2 would be more fitting for a race at LA+0. Or you could let them take Scent as a feat, rather than awarding the ability outright.
Dhaerow 04-11-07, 06:04 PM	Most nocturnal hunters have low-light vision. They hunt by starlight, moonlight, or whatever other ambient light exists. Darkvision mainly belongs to underground creatures, who have no light source at all Hmm, you're probably right. I just looked through the animals of the MM. Maybe it would make more sense giving them low light vision instead. However, I must admit that I'm not a fan of low light vision. It's kind of difficult to figure out. How far exactly can a human see in starlight anyway? Dropping the two +4 skill bonuses to +2 would be more fitting for a race at LA+0. Or you could let them take Scent as a feat, rather than awarding the ability outright. The LA +0 version did gain scent and I'm don't like the idea of dropping the +4 bonuses. Certainly claws and such as light body must be a huge benefit for climbing, and a long tail ought to be worth at least a +4 bonus. I think anything less than +4 would require too much suspension of disbelief, considering how they are supposed to spend so much time in the treetops. I think I've decided on the stats as edited in my original post. I guess a +1 LA is alright. I don't want this race to kill halflings.
Dhaerow 04-13-07, 08:34 AM	I just fleshed out the describtions (please excuse my English as I am not a native speaker). Critism and ideas on how I could make the race more interesting or suitable, besides changing the stats, will also be appreciated.
YabaTheWhat 04-13-07, 10:26 AM	Your grammar is much better than some of the native speakers I've encountered. While your writing has some errors in punctuation and a few misspelled or poorly chosen words, it's still pretty easy to read, and flows well overall. It's the sort of thing that a proofreader would clean up for publication. Do you have a larger version of the picture? If so, please sign it (preferably somewhere unobtrusive, like beneath the bottom leg line of her calf) and upload it somewhere. You need not post the picture in this thread; a link to the file would suffice.
Dhaerow 04-13-07, 10:35 AM	Your grammar is much better than some of the native speakers I've encountered. While your writing has some errors in punctuation and a few misspelled or poorly chosen words, it's still pretty easy to read, and flows well overall. It's the sort of thing that a proofreader would clean up for publication. I'm glad it's alright. Do you have a larger version of the picture? If so, please sign it (preferably somewhere unobtrusive, like beneath the bottom leg line of her calf) and upload it somewhere. You need not post the picture in this thread; a link to the file would suffice. I found this picture years ago on the web. Recently i stumbled across it and thought it looked pretty much like what i had in mind for this race. Unfortunately I don't have a larger version and don't remember who drew it, I just edited the picture a bit to make the skin look more like fur. It's very difficult to find good, realistic artwork of "cat people", that are not too furry or manga-like.
Spikes01k 04-13-07, 01:18 PM	You know maybe out of pure fan-boy service, and a joke, you should add Ninja to their favored classes.
Dhaerow 04-13-07, 01:21 PM	You know maybe out of pure fan-boy service, and a joke, you should add Ninja to their favored classes. Good idea. It makes sense.
YabaTheWhat 04-13-07, 02:06 PM	If you want to give them multiple favored classes, you need to make the favored class entry as follows: Favored Class: Rogue or Ninja. A multiclass apecat’s rogue or ninja class does not count when determining whether she takes an experience point penalty for multiclassing. If she has levels in more than one of her favored classes, only her highest-level favored class does not count.
Dhaerow 04-13-07, 02:09 PM	If you want to give them multiple favored classes, you need to make the favored class entry as follows: Alright, thanks.