Leonin

Native to the Isle of Sisfalas, one of the first conquests of the Mij'esian Empire, the leonin represent a branch of Catfolk so rarely seen on mainland Sanzeia and so different from the standard Tabaxi that there is still uncertainty if they are one species or not. The leonin have been ruled by the Yuan-ti since the Age of Myth and it is unclear if their physical prowess is innate to the species or the result of breeding/magical manipulation by their snake-worshiping overlords.

Naming Traditions

Family names

Most leonin have two names, and other than the difference in language, more or less follow the standard naming convention of Sanzeia.  The leonin's giving name comes first followed by a patrionymic name derived from one or both parents. While linage is a source of pride for the lionlike people, cynics maintain the tradition likely was started by the serpentmen to track particularly valuable bloodlines. Some particularly high ranking leonin append a third clan name or title.

Culture

Culture and cultural heritage

With nearly twice the size of the more common catfolk, leonin are natural warriors, a fact that was quickly noticed by the serpentmen when they conquered the feline people's native isle sometime during the age of myth. While officially under the yoke of the Yuan-ti, the leonin have been so well integrated into the empire that they form a de facto social class of their own. The Yuan-ti emphasize the lion-like humanoid's innate sense of pride and order, as well as their innate physical prowess to keep them invested in the guarding and maintaining of stability of the empire.  As such they maintain a standard of living not only above most of the empire's other slave species but even that of some Yuan-ti castes.

Major organizations

While technically a slave caste within the empire, leonin have come to form the bulk of the serpentmen's military. Offically subervient to thier masters, leonin are generally left to their own on matters of tactics and war, with their yuan-ti superiors serving as figure heads.

Average Height
8’5″ / 2.4 m (leonin)
Average Weight
257 lbs / 117 kg (leonin)

Related Locations

• Serpent Isles