Cat shapeshifter

Cats are embodiments of happiness, joy, and fortune. They are helpers to humans, but also of the old heathen lunar divinity Mesyats, the chthonic god Veles, or, occasionally, Otherworldly powers like Baba Yaga. Their service to these mysterious beings makes them privy to deep and secret knowledge, and as a result, the Cats are the most learned creatures among the shapeshifters. Following in the footsteps of their likely progenitor, the famous warlock cat Kot Bayun, they are especially known for their knowledge of tales, songs, and locations of great treasure hoards. Cat shapeshifters tend to be great performers, but as with Bayun, their songs often have an edge: they lull their audience to sleep; then, Cats rend them apart.
Consequently, Cats are complicated creatures. They are highly intelligent and attractive, but if not approached properly, they can be cunning, devious, and deadly, even to erstwhile allies.
Though the more famous Cat shapeshifters are male, the proportion of males and females among them is roughly equal. Both tend to be very physically attractive with large eyes, long but very manageable hair, lean physiques, and rather long nails. Male Cats generally sport small whiskers.
Although they like to live in society, cats insists on doing so on their own terms, and always with a chance to opt out if they so wish. Cats prize freedom and knowledge as the highest ideals, and choose those professions that allow them to pursue these ideals unhindered. Most commonly, they choose the trouper or scribe stations, though merchant and artificer are also viable choices, while mountebank and ruffian stations may be appropriate to rough-edged cats who are down on their luck.
While cats prize their independence, they don’t necessarily like to be held to account for their actions, preferring responsibility to fall on someone else’s shoulders. Cats do not often assume the heroic role in a group – they are much better suited to serve as the hero’s assistant or sidekick (which doesn’t mean they won’t attempt to subtly manipulate the hero, especially if they regard themselves to be more intelligent, which is almost invariably the case).
Despite frequently playing second fiddle, cats demand respect. They have to be addressed politely using their patronymics (as Kotofei Kotofeyevich or Kotofei Ivanovich), and to be afforded sufficient time to carefully consider any proposals being made to them, especially entreaties for help. Cats who are taken for granted, or worse, disrespected, can become enemies, and even if they are well-treated, some cats are too vain, covetous, and self-obsessed to care overmuch about the plight of neighbors or fellow party-members.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Shapeshifters