Leonin

Heart of a Lion

The Leonin came into creation like most other races do; the Gods willed it so. In this instance, far off in another world, a lone hunter set out to hunt a great lion. Little did this hunter know the lion's true form was a Goddess of the hunt. The Goddess, expecting to be rid of this hunter quickly like so many before him, was surprised to see that he didn’t go down so easily and had wits about him. In the end he outsmarted her. So when the lion was trapped and beaten the Goddess made her true form known, stunning the hunter. For beating her, she blessed the man with a pitcher of water and told him if he wishes to have the heart of a lion to drink only a sip and that it is his responsibility now to choose who drinks from it as well. The hunter thanked the Goddess and returned to his tribe where he told the story and he and his tribe drank from the pitcher. Nothing seemed to happen immediately, but the next morning when they all awoke they were no longer human but Leonin.

From One World to Another

As the Leonin race came into existence, they found that their best habitat and chance of survival was in savannah and other plain-like climates. From there they grew as a race and quite quickly became the top of the food chain in those environments. But through growth also came conflict. They soon grew too large to sustain just one pride. More prides were created with the agreement that they would still have to obey the main pride; the pride of the first Leonin. Not agreed and war broke out. After a few battles and skirmishes here and there things were set and followed. Until an anomaly happened; something that wasn’t supposed to but did. A strange corruption type of magic found its way to the plains and savannas of the Leonin. They tried their best to fight it and defend against it but it was nothing they’ve ever faced before. They cursed the Gods and wondered why something like this would happen to them. When all hope seemed lost, suddenly, in a flash of light, it was over. Or so the Leonin thought. But when they awoke they were in a new land. The air tasted different and they knew they were far from anything familiar.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Leonin are on the larger side of medium size races. They are bipedal lion-like humanoids which have 2 arms, 2 legs, a head and a tail. Their feet and hands act like humans do but have retractable claws. Their looks consist of skin like fur along their body except for thick tufts of fur that can determine gender and the color on average will range from gold to black.
Male: The main difference between Male and Female is the males' mane. It is a very thick fur that goes around the neck and down the shoulders. It is often a different color then the skin like fur. They also have a thick tuft of fur on the tip of the tail.

Female: Females don't have a thick mane like the males do but their skin like fur is thicker than the males and covers them from head to toe. They also often have larger ears and share the thick tuft of fur on the end of the tail like males do.

Genetics and Reproduction

Leonins Reproduce like humans and other mammals do. After successful mating, cubs gestate for an average of 110 days. A female can give birth to up to four cubs at one time.

Growth Rate & Stages

Leonins mature and grow at the same rate as humans. They have to be taken care of heavily until they are about 2 years old, which is when they will start to learn the fundamental skills of survival. At the age of 15 the male Leonin start to grow out their mane and that is a sign of maturity. During this time they also must complete a trail of passage and once done can be seen as an adult of the pride. The mane only takes two years to fully grow out and once a Leonin has reached the age of 30 they will stop growing.

Ecology and Habitats

Leonins tend to stick to wide open plains and locations with relatively warm weather. They are nomadic but also very territorial and depending on the size of land a location could be divided up between multiple prides. Leonins also enjoy hunting and fighting and because of this nature there are strict rules that must be obeyed by territory and if another pride or outsiders are to break those the Leonin have no issue in going to war over it. They are not too keen on interacting with others but occasionally a Leonin will break from their pride to see what the outside world has to offer.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Leonin mostly share the same diet as humans and can eat the same thing as they do but in order to survive they do need to have meat in their diet and they also tend to enjoy meat above other foods.

Biological Cycle

Leonins biological cycle is similar to humans. as they age they get more frail and their fur starts to change to more muted colors.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Female Names: Aletha, Atagone, Demne, Doxia, Ecate, Eriz, Gragonde, Iadma, Koila, Oramne, Seza, Ziore
Male Names: Apto, Athoz, Baragon, Bryguz, Eremoz, Gorioz, Grexes, Oriz, Pyxathor, Teoz, Xemnon, Xior
Pride Names: Embereye, Flintclaw, Goldenfield, Ironmane, Starfeller, Sungu

Lifespan

100 years

Average Height

6 to 7ft tall

Average Weight

180lbs

Geographic Distribution

• The Material Plane

Mythic Odysseys of Theros

Leonin

The Leonin guard the shining lands of Oreskos, a golden plain where even the gods rarely trespass. Prides of these nomadic, lion-like humanoids rarely interact with other peoples, having all they need in their shimmering homeland and knowing the treachery of strangers. Still, some leonin wonder what lies beyond Oreskos's border mountains and seek to test themselves in a wider world.

ability score increase: Choose any +2; choose any other +1

age: Leonin mature and age at about the same rate as humans.

alignment: Leonin tend toward good alignments. Leonin who are focused on the pride lean toward lawful good.

Size: Medium

speed: 35 ft

Languages: Two languages of your choice (One can be Feylyne)

race features:
Darkvision. 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 color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Claws. Your claws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you can deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Hunter's Instincts. You have proficiency in one of the following skills of your choice: Athletics, Intimidation, Perception, or Survival.

Daunting Roar. As a bonus action, you can let out an especially menacing roar. Creatures of your choice within 10 feet of you that can hear you must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or become frightened of you until the end of your next turn. The DC of the save equals 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Constitution modifier. Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Leonin are on the larger side of medium size races. They are bipedal lion-like humanoids which have 2 arms, 2 legs, a head and a tail. Their feet and hands act like humans do but have retractable claws. Their looks consist of skin like fur along their body except for thick tufts of fur that can determine gender and the color on average will range from gold to black.