(TFT) Felmen - A New Race

[Sean Bayan Schoonmaker <s_schoon@pacbell.net>]

Here's something I dug out and dusted off. Please feel free to 
comment and criticize!


Felmen

Felmen, as they are commonly known by the other races, are evolved 
from various species of the big cats, and like reptile men are not 
related to humans, elves, dwarves, giants, and their kindred. They 
resemble nothing more than bipedal cats, whose size and build depends 
on type, but all have fur, retractable claws, fanged jaws, large 
ears, and tails. They possess fully formed hands, allowing them to 
perform any type of manipulation that a human might, but their claws 
make them fearsome fighters, even when unarmed. Generally speaking, 
their IQ is slightly below the human norm, but they make up for this 
with much greater dexterity, particularly in members of the smaller 
subspecies.

Felmen tend to live in clans, which are fiercely territorial. Though 
there are too few clans throughout Cidri to cause much territorial 
conflict between clans, they have a particularly bloody history when 
dealing with one another or other races. Competition within the clan 
is also intense, and results in a strict chain of dominance. These 
elements form the basis for their social structure.

There are three basic types of Felmen, which correspond roughly to 
the size of the subspecies:

Small Build - These tend to be similar to elves in build, and include 
the bobcat, lynx, and jaguarundi subspecies.
ST 7, DX 12, IQ 7, and 6 extra points. They have an MA of 12 and gain 
Experience at the normal rate.

Medium Build - These subspecies are slightly more massive than men, 
and include the cheetah, jaguar, leopard, snow leopard, etc.
ST 10, DX 11, IQ 7, and 7 extra points. They have an MA of 12 and 
gain experience at two-thirds the normal rate, requiring 
one-and-a-half the normal amount of experience for advances.

Large Build - This type is roughly the same size as reptile men and 
include such subspecies as lions, tigers, etc.
ST 13, DX 10, IQ 7, and 8 extra points. They have an MA of 10 and 
gain experience at half the normal rate, requiring two times the 
normal amount of experience for advances.

With almost no exceptions, clans are divided by subspecies. There are 
legends of two nomadic clans that consist of all types of Felmen, but 
since it is taboo to speak of them, most other races regard this as 
myth.
Clans, when at full strength, tend to be of equal military power as 
the smaller subspecies tend to have larger clans, while the larger 
subspecies have smaller ones.

When a clan grows too large, the beta male will take all those 
willing to follow and find a new territory. This is typically 
one-third of the clan. These "new" clans have leave to pass through 
the lands of others with the understanding that they will not claim 
any of it as their own.

Strangers, or wanderers from other clans, are generally looked down 
upon, especially if from a different subspecies. There are, however, 
exceptions to this rule. Wandering shamans are universally welcomed 
for their wisdom and magic. Likewise, members of the "legendary" Tree 
and Skull clans are accepted, as they work for the good of the entire 
species.


Schoon
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