Leonin

The leonin are a species of bipedal big cats that loyally guard the Pridelands they originate from.
Leonin often accept all visitors to their home, taking great satisfaction in sharing their culture with others. It is a sign of honor among leonin to receive guests and all are expected to treat them as if they were members of their own pride.
Still, some leonin wonder about life outside of the Pridelands and seek to become the heroes in new epic legends.

Built for Battle

Leonin are taller than most species, and move with a purpose that suggests their physical might. Fur in shades of tan and brown covers leonin bodies, and some males grow thick manes ranging in shades from gold to black. Though very rare, some leonin are born with stripes or spots, and unusual fur colors like orange, black, or white. Their hands and feet have retractable feline claws, which they can instantly extend. This, along with their ability to produce a roar that can be heard for miles, gives most leonin an air that shifts between respected and feared. Leonin tend to keep quiet if they're in an unfamiliar situation, but when they feel they know best, their confidence can come off almost foolhardy.

Body and Mind

Some other species think of Leonin as quick to anger and easy to offend. In truth, many leonin simply see verbal fighting as another form of combat they must train for. They enjoy arguing, debating, wresting, sparring, poetry slams, and even armed combat - viewing it all as a chance to exercise their minds and bodies. Because of this, grudges don't last long. A truly angry shouting match might escalate to blows, but when the fight is over and a clear winner is proven, the argument is quickly moved on from.

Prides and Stories

Leonin are bound by honor to serve in the interests of the pride, however they best see fit and according to their capabilities. This can be something as mundane as gathering supplies, or something as heroic as vanquishing a great foe. All tasks that benefit the pride are respected and no member of the pride doing their best is looked down upon. However, this doesn't mean that some leonin aren't seen more highly than others. The halls of leonin buildings are decorated with frescos of great warriors and heroes of the past, and many leonin attempt to trace their ancestry back to one of these legendary figures.

As an option during character creation, if your leonin's pride claims ancestry from a legendary hero, roll on the table below to decide which.

d6	Heroic Ancestry
1	We trace our lineage back to the legendary navigator, Volturnas.
2	My ancestor is the legendary warrior, Mithras.
3	The city builder Hespera founded our pride.
4	We carry the name of the heroic spellcaster, Aurelia.
5	The warrior priestess Bellona is the founder of my pride.
6	We descended from the trickster hero, Sors.

Leonin Names

Leonin tend to identify themselves by the name of their pride first, and personal name second. For example, a member of the Redpaw pride with the personal name of Dia would likely refer to herself as Redpaw Dia.
Female Names: Ceres, Eos, Minerva, Nike, Rhea.
Male Names: Apollo, Atlas, Helios, Somnus, Vulcan.
Pride Names: Blackeye, Greymane, Nightplain, Redpaw, Sharpclaw.

Leonin Traits

Your leonin character has the following species traits:
Ability Score Increase Your Constitution score increases by 2, and your Strength score increases by 1.
Age Leonin mature and age at about the same rate as other medium species.
Alignment Leonin tend towards good or lawful alignments.
Size Your size is medium.
Speed Your base walking speed is 35 feet.
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 blues and greys.
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. This roar can also be used to communicate over a distance of two miles with other leonin. The information contained in the roar must fit into five words.
Language You speak Common and Leonese.

Origin/Ancestry

Pridelands

Lifespan

75

Average Height

6'6"

Average Weight

230 lbs.

Related Organizations

• Pridelands

Leonin in Other Lands

The vast majority of leonin, over 85%, live within the boundaries of the Pridelands. Those who don't are known as the Scattered Prides. Outside of their home, leonin find work as warriors, soldiers, mercenaries, or in other combat professions. However, their natural strength and capable demeanor can land them a job in nearly any sort of labor, especially around smaller species. Some find a natural role as a leader, be it political, community, religious, or otherwise.
If your leonin character didn't grow up in the Pridelands, what sort of traits unique to their species helped or hindered them in everyday life? Did they tower over smaller species, or were they small in a town of bigger ones?

Warrior Women

There is very little distinction between the work of female and male leonin - all members of the pride are to help however they can in ensuring the wellbeing of the pride as a whole. Contrary to many other species, leonin women become warriors or soldiers as often as the men do, and men find work as healers, caretakers, and shamans. It's common for the leader of a pride, male or female, to have a personal guard made up of highly trained female leonin.

A Visit to a Leonin Academy

We stopped at each fresco, my guide regaling me with the story behind it. The great leonin heroes of the past, their battles, their victories, their defeats. Each one a moment in time forever captured to be studied. Groups of cubs ran through the halls, their wooden swords clacking as they practiced roars and pretended to be these majestic characters.
"This is Pomona, hero-queen of the Razortails. She slayed the Diresaur after it ate a neighboring village," he said solemnly. I nodded, jotting the information down as we turned and continued walking. The sound of the savannah winds in the acacia trees mixed with the bubbling of a fountain as we arrived in the atrium. There were flowers and shrubs, perfectly manicured, with little stone paths between them. A bright blue sky shone overhead. The echoing laughter of cubs seemed to fade away as we sat down cross-legged on colorful mats. I glanced to each side quickly. A half-dozen other leonin sat in quiet contemplation.
He cleared his throat to get my attention back. "Try to clear distractions from your mind, my small friend," he instructed. "Think of those in your life. Think of your family's history. It's all led to you in this moment. Reflect on that." I chuckled, which seemed to surprise him. "I'm timus, I have thirteen siblings. It'll take a bit for me to think of my whole family."
He nodded. "All the more reason to meditate on them. Their collective strength is your strength. You must push your capabilities much harder to aid them in their hour of need, but they will also be there for you in great numbers when you need them."
It had been a bit since I'd been home. Perhaps I'd spend the holidays with my family.