Lionfolk

Standing tall, with the piercing gaze of a hunter, lionfolk are a sight to behold. They are, of course, characterized by the resemblance to the animal rather inaccurately called "the king of the jungle." Lionfolk have bodily might, with muscles to spare. They are covered in fur. Their fur colors range in hues like the sands - light yellows to dark tans and the occasional almost white. The males sport manes that add at least a few inches to their height. Though females lack the manes, they are taller and heftier than the males. The most entrancing thing about lionfolk are their eyes. From yellow to blue to green, their eyes are deep, with a stare said to pierce the soul of any they look upon.
Lionfolk's origin is expressed in a beloved legend, often told as an epic poem that can go on for hours. As the story goes...

The world grew too disorderly and the deity of nature, Jopha, couldn't stand the chaos. They resolved to create a champion to bring order into the world. Though to make a hero, a base was needed. Jopha found the most suitable of the cats. The lion was strong, primal, and had established itself at the top of the food chain. Jopha gave a lion humanoid features, intelligence, and anatomy. She did, however, leave out the lawlessness of spirit that held back the other humanoid species. The first lionfolk went out into the world, a hybrid of lion and humanoid. It brought order in the chaos, directing all to become better. Jopha created another lionfolk of the opposite sex, as to let the race never die out. They are here to this day, a species of order amidst chaos.

The veracity of this story in in doubt. Still, lionfolk do have a tendency to favor Jopha in their religious rituals.
As lions travel together in prides, lionfolk place great importance in social ties. Their communities consist of one or two families that live and travel as nomads in the same group. They follow the herds of animals, relying on the creatures for sustenance. Animals' migrational paths are one of the hardest studied subjects. They are governed by elders, the oldest of the group. Each individual makes it a personal mission to be acquainted with every last member of their community. This creates a stronger and more orderly group. Customs to honor lawful ancestors are strictly followed. Males braid their manes with intricate weaving to show honor. Females dye their fur with complex tattoos to give their respects. The use of this ornate art is said to please the ancestors. Tattoo and braid designs are adopted by each family.
Every aspect of daily life is associated with being the will of the gods. They see the choices of sentient minds as the only power beyond the gods' control. Deity worship, of Jopha or otherwise, is central to every community.
Not all lionfolk bother to associate with other civilizations. They prefer to keep to their own lawful ways in seclusion, meeting with others only to give counsel on how to be orderly and lawful. Those that do go to others succeed as natural leaders, rising in ranks as lions are in the food chain. Many lionfolk are hired for their leadership abilities and integrate into armies as head officers, governments as leading officials, and other prestigious and mighty positions.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Lionfolk name their young after ancestors and family, keeping a name alive for hundreds of years in the same bloodline. In place of a surname, they take a title to tell a deed they've accomplished. An elder gives them this name when they reach adulthood.
Male: Aritt, Darin, Eldam, Jase, Rish, Tari, Vorti, Wiln
Female: Brynn, Ceru, Genri, Imri Maian, Tamil, Yemm
Deed Names: Chaos-Repeller, Eagle-Bonded, Gale-Speaker, Monster-Bane, Oak-Fell, Rock-Slasher, Shadow's-Fear, Trail-Forger, Valor-Tested

Lionfolk Wizard

by Rob Taylor

Lionfolk Fighter

Lifespan

Lionfolk live short yet heartily like lions. They reach maturity at the age of 12 and live for a bit over 70 years.

Average Height

Lionfolk are stout, never shorter than, and can reach well over, 6 feet tall.

Lionfolk

Ability Score Increase +2 Str, +1 Cha

Size Medium

Speed 30 ft.

---

Lionfolk Traits

---

Mighty Roar

---

You can roar and scare creatures in the vicinity with your vocal power. As an action, each creature within 10-feet of you must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of your next turn or until they take damage. The DC for this saving throw is 10 + your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier. After you use your mighty roar, you can’t use it again until you complete a short or long rest.
Lion’s Attributes

---

From your roots, some of your abilities are enhanced. You are proficient in the Stealth and Perception skills. In addition, you have advantage on Wisdom(Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Sharp Claws

---

Your claws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier.
Bite

---

Your teeth are strong enough to make your bite a natural weapon. As an action, you can attack a creature within 5 feet of you. On a hit, the creature takes 1d4 piercing damage. If you knocked a target prone this turn, you can make this attack as a bonus action instead.

Languages. You can speak, read, and, write both Common and Sylvan.