Ailurian

Humanoid felines that mimic large predatory cats like lions, tigers, and leopards. Tend to be the same height at humans but of leaner, muscular build.
~ Lowlight vision.
~ Natural claws that can be used in combat for d6 damage.
© Dean Spencer
The ailurians occupy many of the same lands that humans prefer to live in, and are possibly the mortal most commonly seen in human cities other than dweorg. Ailurians themselves do not form large cities, living in smaller tribal settlements composed of multiple family clans. These smaller settlements are more opulent than any human city however, filled with art, sculpture, and finery normally reserved for royalty in the dwellings of other mortal kin. This wealth comes from the ailurian monopoly on silk and parchment. They hold the secrets of making them so tightly that clan wars have erupted over claims of sharing even part of the process.
Ailurians are organized into matriarchal clans ranging from a few dozen to nearly thousand. Small weak clans band together and form Mother Councils to engage with the more powerful matriarchs. All matriarchs are in nearly constant power struggles to improve the status, wealth, and influence of their clan. This effort is in stark contrast to their typically aloof nature, and getting an ailurian to become motivated about anything else often takes monumental effort.
Rhaksha
Looking like strange, sickly versions of ailurians, rhaksha are lean, with oversized extremities and patchy fur. More beast shaped than their cousins, they often eschew clothing and mortal tools, though some are curiously drawn to jewelry and adornments. Primarily loners, rhaksha are rarely encountered in groups and it is unsure if they form any kind of social attachments with each other, much less communities. Appearing even lazier than ailurians, this is just a ruse used to get their prey to lower their guard. They are cold and calculating, always playing out their next moves in order to catch prey and gain power.

© Rick Hershey
