Panshera are feline beastborn humanoids based loosely on the Leonin and Tabaxi from the Forgotten Realms. A proud species, panshera originated in Eqos and are some of the most populous peoples on the continent. Some panshera are nomadic, while others settle down in large settlements. Their pride-like social circles made them an essential part of civilization in Eqos, and many panshera find themselves in positions of nobility and importance. They tend to be taller as compared to humans, and move with a boldness to their steps aided by their long tails. They are covered in patterned fur, with some of them growing thick manes and hair styles. While their hands are very human-like, they have retractable feline claws along with sharp teeth that allow them greater physical might than humans. Panshera are said to exude confidence, something that often puts them into positions of authority even if they have no real expertise. Other peoples often believe panshera intolerant to criticism and unable to accept their mistakes, but in reality they have a competitive nature and love to fight, whether verbally or physically. While most panshera do not tend to carry grudges, if they do hold a grudge they do so for their entire lives. While panshera social structures appear to be patriarchal from the outside, in truth panshera women hold equal power within their families and tend to be considered more like a leader even if their family structures remain patrilineal.
Both men and women are considered to be warriors in their innate culture, and when panshera follow a nation or a creed they fight zealously. The panshera of Abmarah worship many gods, but consider the god Murudev to be their patron god as it is widely believed that his original form was a panshera one. They used to worship his brother Mawekh as one of their own as well, until his betrayal. Bilari and other southern panshera had their own unique religion known as Atakasi that worshiped the sibling gods Aatrii, Aklim, & Aesin. In fact, their integration into the rest of abmari society led to Aatrii’s recognition as a major god within Aeterism. Nowadays, it isn’t uncommon to see a panshera just about anywhere in the world due to their natural love of exploration. The black market slave trade also helped in their proliferation across Abmarah, especially the Blood Sea. Most panshera communities other than the original clans on Eqos have lost much of their cultural identity, mimicking the cultural traditions and languages of wherever they end up settling in. As much, many have even lost their old religion as well. While their quick integration into societies is welcome, many elders regret the species’ lack of reverence for their old customs.
Note: Panshera tend to adopt the naming schemes of whatever culture or city they are brought up in. They also do not use last names or family names unless they are nobles or otherwise important. However, they do have some ‘ancestral’ names that they use regardless of culture. Some example names for Panshera PCs or NPCs are:
Male given names: Grios, Preos, Baeon, Claos, Baos, Seos, Khlaos, Jaro, Wowo, Maos, Kaos, Klaos, Daos, Dreos, Kreos, Cleos, Clios, Vleos, Jarr, Karr, Garr, Marr, Parr, Varr, Brios, Baos, Wreos, Wrios, Wlios, Wleos, Wlaos, Bleos, Blios, Breos, Klios, Drios, Geon, Keon, Meon, Jeon, Jrios, Jreos, Veon, Vrios, Vreos, Vrios, Vlios, Muru, Muros, Mawe, Mawos
Female given names: Runuu, Zexaa, Gashaa, Runii, Zunii, Zashaa, Rashaa, Gexaa, Rexaa, Anjya, Aya, Silili, Kishar, Puzur, Nirah, Mesh, Shub, Irkalla, Aea, Nisaba, Aruru, Shiptu, Sabit, Ninsun, Ninki, Anu, Inanaa, Sapur, Taram, Yram, Uram, Virii, Varka, Ciaxe
Gender-neutral given names: Zurleen, Gar, Rooni, Roonan, Roonos, Vikooz, Amardeep, Baljeet, Daljeet, Deep, Fir, Gurdeep, Jas, Kavii, Kulpreet, Liv, Manjeet, Namar, Parmindar, Randeep, Simran, Sukhveer, Wadha, Yashveer
Common last names: Baeon, Zokiro, Heroy, Yakira, Zobawan, Wawan, Vadowan, Zion, Zin, Binaa
Racial Stats
When creating a Panshera, you have to pick one of the three lineages. All lineages share the following traits:
Age. Panshera mature and age at about the same rate as humans.
Alignment. Panshera lean towards neutral alignments. However, those that tend to follow the pride and family try to be more lawful.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Size. Panshera are typically over 6-7 feet tall. Your size is Medium.
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 shades of gray.
Natural Weapons. Your claws and bite are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. They count as finesse weapons, and if you hit with either of them, you can deal damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength or Dexterity modifier. You can choose to do Slashing, Piercing, or Bludgeoning damage with your unarmed strikes, as your claws can do slashing damage and your bite can do piercing damage.
Feline Instincts. You have proficiency in two of the following skills of your choice: Athletics, Acrobatics, Perception, Stealth, or Survival.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language of your choice.
Panshera Lineage. You are part of a lineage that grants you additional abilities. Choose a lineage from the Panshera Lineages table. You gain the features of the chosen lineage.
Lineage | Features |
|---|---|
Simhari | Regal Roar. As a bonus action, you can let out an especially menacing roar. Creatures of your choice within 15 feet of you that can hear you must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or become frightened of you until the start of your next turn. The DC of the save equals 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Constitution modifier. Regardless of whether the creatures succeed or fail, you and your allies have advantage on attack rolls against any of the creatures who could hear you until the start of your next turn. Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a short rest. Prideborn. You have proficiency in either the Persuasion or Intimidation skills. In addition, you have advantage on skill checks of the chosen skill. |
Tigari | Apex Build. You have advantage on Strength-based ability checks and Strength saving throws. In addition, you count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift. Silent Ambusher. You can cast the pass without trace spell once per long rest, requiring no material components. |
Bilari | Nocturnal Climber. You have a climbing speed equal to your walking speed. Catlike Agility. When you move on your turn in combat, you can double your speed until the end of the turn. Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you move 0 feet on one of your turns. |
Simhari
Simhari-Panshera are most visually similar to lions, cougars, and cave lions. They are distinctive due to the large manes and long hairstyles that many of them have, especially the men. It’s said that they are the second most populous lineage of panshera after the bilari. While simhari are not as powerfully built as the tigari, they are known for their thunderous roar that can frighten any who hear it as well as an innate charisma that makes them natural leaders. Simhari are also perhaps the most social of all the panshera, with large families and social networks. They tend to also be the most xenophilic, making friends and connections with people of other species and from far-away lands.
Tigari
Tigari Panshera are most visually similar to tigers or smilodons. They are the most powerfully built of all the panshera, possibly the most of all the beastborn species. Taller and naturally more intimidating than other people, it’s no wonder that they are often mistaken for Rakshasas or even Weretigers. The more smilodon-like Tigari tend to have sharper teeth, leading to them being called ‘Saber Panshera’ at times.
They tend to not have as big of a family or social network as compared to others, but they remain incredibly loyal to the relationships they do maintain. Tigari do have a higher tendency to prefer solitude, and many of them become travelers or adventurers on lone journeys. This attitude also results in them being the rarest of the panshera lineages.
Bilari
Bilari-Panshera are most visually similar to leopards, cheetahs, lynxes, bobcats, or even domestic cats. They are the smallest yet most populous of the panshera lineages and have spread far across the world from their ancestral homelands in the Varkunasam Rainforest. They can be found just about anywhere in the world these days. Known for their dexterity and nocturnal habits, the bilari tend to be adept climbers owing to their origins in the western jungles of Eqos. They are regarded as more sly and shifty by other panshera, but in reality they just seem to look out for themselves and their family.
Feats
In addition, Panshera players have access to unique Species Feats that they can choose to take in addition to other General Feats. Species Origin Feats can be chosen during character creation replacing any Origin Feat you would’ve received from your background.
Bestial Pounce (Species Origin Feat). If you move at least 20 feet toward a creature and then hit it with a melee attack on the same turn, that target must succeed on a Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. The DC for this save is 8 + your proficiency bonus + the ability score used for the attack. Additionally, you can make one unarmed strike against prone creatures as a bonus action.
Jungle Swimmer (Species Origin Feat). You are skilled in swimming within murky waters and gain a swimming speed equal to your walking speed. You can hold your breath for upto 15 minutes, and have advantage on any Stealth (Dexterity) checks while submerged in a body of water.
Pride Tactics (Species Feat). You work well with your allies in the heat of battle. While taking the Attack action, you can give up one of your attacks to one of your allies within 30 feet who can then use a Reaction to make a single attack.