Neko
Ability Score Increase +2 Dex, +1 Char
Size Medium
Speed 30ft
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Stats:
Ability Score Increase: Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Charisma score increases by 1.
Age: Nekos age as fast as humans but live a bit longer than humans; up to 120 years. There are some that have reached 150 years, but they are extraordinary.
Size: Neko are somewhat smaller than the rest of the humanoid races, but only by a few inches. Your size is Medium.
Speed: Your base walking speed is 30 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 shades of gray.
Great Flexibility: You are proficient in the Acrobatics skill.
Naturally Graceful: When you are unarmoured or wearing only light Armour, you halve any falling damage you receive and always land on your feet.
Languages: You can speak, read, and write Common, Feline, and may choose any other language.
Subrace: Choose either the Domestic or Wild subrace
Vulnerability: Vulnerable to any water-based attacks. Increased likelihood of drowning.
Subraces:
Domestic
Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 1.
Domesticated Skills. Working for others often requires some specialization. You are proficient in one tool of your choice.
Civilized Lurker. Coming from urban environments and working in them gives you an upper hand in sneaking around there. You have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks when in urban environments.
Wild
Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by 1.
Fleet of Foot. Your base walking speed increases to 40 feet.
Connection. You are well connected with the lore of your roots. You are proficient in the History skill, and are more likely to receive additional information from NPCs.
Language. You have a vague, but broken understanding of Thieves' cant, as well as your base languages.
Appearance and Behavior:
Nekos are smaller than average sized humanoids that look very similar to elves or humans, but they have cat ears, long furry tails and whiskers. Their hands are structurally like a human hand, but they are typically more slender, with long, curved nails. Unlike humans they are much more slender and quick with a vast array of hair and eye colors of almost any combination. They are a bit smaller than the average person, not particularly strong and mainly look quite human like. However, they do have enhanced agility, and an unnaturally high charisma. Their heads are actually more rounded, making them appear more youthful, which is often considered desirable and attractive, earning them points in societies that would normally discredit them as thieves. Nekos typically present as what is considered to be 'feminine' regardless of their biological sex, although it is not particularly rare to see one presenting as masculine.
Vocalizations
Purr - An expression of pleasure or comfort.
Hiss - An expression of displeasure or anger.
Snarl - An expression of aggression.
Low-pitch Growl - An expression warning. "You don't want this."
Strong Sigh - An expression of frustration in the form of a strong sigh or an exhaled snort.
Meow - Comes in a variety of sounds, with meanings of broad variation. Commonly used for communication with outside creatures, or when body language is not viable. The following examples are the most commonly used, and can vary from one breed to another.
"Greeting" Meow - A low meow or chirp, possibly with simultaneous purring; a happy hello.
"Attention" Meow - An expression of desire for attention.
"Hunger" Meow - An expression of desire for food.
"Outside" Meow - An expression of desire for fresh air. Usually an extended meow accompanied by a nose point.
Chirping Meow - An expression of predatory anticipation.
Chattery Meow - An expression of frustration.
Wailing Meow - An expression of distress. In older Nekos it is a panicky repeated meow.
Caterwaul - A vocal exclamation of sexual heat. Rarely used in standard campaigns, but some Adult campaigns might find this applicable.
Insistent Meowing - An meow in response to another creature's vocalizations. Borders on conversational, except it's usually just repeating the same line. Used as a form of self-entertainment (when bored) and also for expressing insistence when they want something.
Eye Gestures
Staring - Asserting and threatening. If visual eye-to-eye contact is made, this is seen as a return of the assertion. Blinking during this is a reassurance that there is no dispute. Breaking eye contact and looking away is a sign of respect. Avoiding even making eye contact is an attempt to avoid the conflict.
Fluttering Eyes - Expressing complacence, or just being in a sleepy mood.
Partially Closed Eyes - Expressing contentedness and trust. Comfortable and trusting enough of their company to sleep. Only holds this intended meaning when they're not actually asleep.
Fully Closed Eyes - Expressing full trust and/or contentedness. Comfortable and trusting enough of their company to sleep. Only holds this intended meaning when they're not actually asleep.
Slow Wink - Expressing contentedness.
Wide Pupils - Panic, uncertainty. (This goes for most races, but is still worthy of note.)
Narrow Pupils - calmness, certainty. (This goes for most races, but is also still worthy of note.)
Ears
"Relaxed" Casual Ears - Ears pointed forward and outward slightly, listening passively.
Tilting Both Ears Forward "Alert Ears" - Signals focus & interest, possibly also curiosity.
Tilting Both Ears Backward - Signals aggression or fear, can also signal possessiveness.
Flattening Both Ears - Signals aggression and defensiveness. Flattening the ears protects them for the impending fight.
Twitching Ears - Signals agitation or anxiousness.
Rotating Ears - Listening in an attempt to find the source of a sound.
One Ear Forward, One Ear Back - Ambivalence.
"Pointing" With An Ear - Detects a sound in that direction. Seldom if ever used as an intentional signal by the character.
Head
Head Rub/Head Bump/Nuzzle - A cheerful greeting. The reason for the contact from the Neko's point of view is to mingle and share scents to create a family atmosphere and environment.
Chin Rub/Chin Bump/Chin Nuzzle - Body language expressing territorial marking. "I like this, and this is Mine!" being the message.
Nose-to-nose Touch - A kiss.
Head Held Low - Aggressive posture.
Head Held Back - Reaction in displeasure.
Self Nose or Upper lip Lick - Natural tic expressing uncertainty, or reconsidering.
Mouth-open Sniff - Analyzing and savoring scent signals in the air. Seldom used by truly Domestic Nekos, but usable by all for tracking.
Lips Retracted Bared Teeth - Full aggression.
Yawn - Indicates stress, ambivalence, and sometimes preparedness for action.
Gently Nibbling A Sleeper's Ear - An affectionate way a Neko can say "Wake up". Generally used only for those they consider close family.
Purring Nip - An expression of playfulness.
Nose Point - Expressing the direction of one's attention in a specific direction by "pointing" with the nose in that direction with a head swivel.
Body
Body Rub/Body Bump/Body Nuzzle - A cheerful greeting. The reason for the contact from the Neko's point of view is to mingle and share scents to create a family atmosphere and environment.
Arched Back - A defensive or panicked stance. This is pre-fight Neko body language or a way of avoiding a full blown fight. It can be used as a confident or fearful expression. A confident Neko tries to appear larger. The Neko stretches their back legs fully and their back becomes arched.
"Direct Attack" Approach - An aggressive offensive approach.
"Sideways Attack" Approach - A defensive approach used for "Fight or Flight" mode, often used in tandem with the arched back for maximum effect.
Falling on Side - Indicates submission, can also be indicative of being unwilling to put up a fight.
Sprawling Out - Relaxation.
Roll Over - An invitation to physical contact.
Kneading - An expression of pleasure, comfort, gratitude. The act itself is also quite pleasurable for a Neko.
Flick/Tap Another's Nose - A punishment for bad behavior or generally something the Neko does not like.
Grooming - A familial treatment, expressing care for the beneficiary's hygiene.
"Paw" Shake - Expression of disgust.
Tail
Tail Bristled - Expressing rage, anger, and/or panic.
Tail Hooked - Expressing uncertainty, but not feeling threatened.
Upright Tail - Friendly posture.
Upright Tail Quivering - Very pleased, possibly expectant.
Flicking of the Tail Tip - Used when acknowledging of an individual presence, but being currently occupied and not wanting to be interrupted.
Twitching Tail - Expressing alertness and interest.
Thrashing Tail - Expressing excitement or potential aggression.
Tail Swish - Expressive of a mental conflict or indecisiveness.
Tail Between Legs - Submissive posture.
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Languages. Common, Feline, one language of the player's choice.