Tabaxi

"I used to travel with one of the cat-men. He could jump into battle before anyone could see him coming. Too bad he didn't have nine lives."
-Jace Cartwright, retired adventurer

Out of the deserts of Kemet and the jungles of Cipactli comes a people that almost resemble animals as much as humans. These creatures are the feline tabaxi: born with all the speed and agility of a cat and all the intelligence and cunning of a humanoid being.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

Tabaxi bear a strong resemblance to a humanoid cat. They tend to have a lithe, graceful build, rarely showing a great deal of muscle. In addition to their other feline features, they have eyes that shine in the dark. Their eyes and ears give them especially keen senses. They also have claws that are quite surprisingly effective weapons.
They are covered in fur whose patterns vary based on the location of their homelands. Kemetan tabaxi tend to resemble domestic cats, often with a sandy coat, although some are gently striped or even hairless. Cipactlin tabaxi usually resemble wildcats, and are most often spotted like jaguars, although many are black, instead.

Civilization and Culture

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Tabaxi, both Cipactlin and Kemetan don't have distinct cultures of their own. Instead, they have adopted the culture of the regions in which they live. It's not quite known how this came to be. They might have common ancestors, but it is often believed that gods of both societies brought them, much like humanity and this has affected how these people have been viewed by both societies.
Kemetan tabaxi are associated with the guardian goddess Bastet. This has meant that they are often viewed positively, even if they're not seen as sacred as cats, themselves. Many enter the service of either the temple of Bastet or the military. Many of Kemet's most respected warriors have been tabaxi.
Conversely, the tabaxi of Cipactli are associated with Tezcatlipoca, a god of chaos and strife. This has generally led to a somewhat more negative opinion of them. This perception was challenged by the actions of the hero Citlali. Currently, the tabaxi people are treated with as much dignity as the other peoples of Cipactli, although the gods do not consider them to be suitable sacrifices.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

The relations between the tabaxi and the races they live with is generally as harmonious as the relationships between individuals of those cultures. On the other hand, people of other lands often view them quite differently, even compared to humans from those lands. This is especially true if there are no native beastfolk in that particular place.
In some nations, such as Sakkal or Polisia, tabaxi aren't especially unusual, as both have close contact with Kemet. In other places, such as Acitern, Skogsmark, or Duanjia, they are seem as far more exotic. It's possible that some people might not recognize them as intelligent beings until they speak.

Lifespan

70 years

Average Height

5 ft. 3 in. - 5 ft. 10 in.

Average Weight

110 - 170 lbs.