Zenquilch (5e Race)

Work In Progress

Zenquilch

“	They're quite cute, to be honest. A bit of a loner, but that's survival for ya.	”
—Zanna Hamadan, Forest ranger

Physical Description

By Yanied

The zenquilch are a unique and strange race of humanoid felines. Their bodies are known to be thin, to the near point of being skeletal. Their skin is also notably hairless, making them appear like bony sphinx cats. Like sphinx cats, zenquilch have overtly pointed ears that stick out from their head more than your domestic house cat. At night, the true nature of the zenquilch is revealed, as their skeletal forms become very pronounced in the absence of light. They appear like skeletal demons when in darkness. Their eyes and bones glow a faint turquoise color as well. This is because zenquilch actually have some properties tying them to undead, making them an unnerving existence for many.

Zenquilch clothing has two forms: one for stealth, and the other for presence. Their emaciated appearance is easily hidden under capes and cloaks to make them appear innocuous. However, zenquilch also have a bit of a prideful side and they do value jewelry, particularly that of gold. As such, they like to wear bangles, headdresses, and other accessories that appear more regal. Zenquilch will wear the latter more often among their own as a sign of their status. Around other races, zenquilch are more reserved and will usually cover themselves more fully.

History

The zenquilch hail from the lands known to be frigid deserts. Their ancestors were worshippers of the Cat Lord, a god known to be a patron of all feline creatures. The story goes that the zenquilch ancestors prayed for salvation during a particularly savage blizzard that rendered most of their population dead under levels of thick frost. A great crag cat appeared before the dying people and told those who could move to follow him. With the frost already having rendered them immobile, none could physically do so. Those who attempted anyway broke their bodies painfully. Those who broke their bodies found their forms to change into that of skeletons, leaving behind their frozen flesh. Thus did the zenquilch come about as their ancestors shed their former bodies to follow the Cat Lord.

From here, it is surmised that the Cat Lord relocated the zenquilch to warmer lands, like Chult and Calimshan. Their forms remained forever changed and earned them much suspicion, especially when nightfall comes. Only the tabaxi in Chult ever truly established connections with them because of their shared faith in the Cat Lord. In Calimshan, the zenquilch ended up making their homes in the desert as settled groups that dot the sands.

Society

The zenquilch are largely concentrated in tribes scattered throughout the realm that the Cat Lord bought them to. They are usually nomadic, especially outside Maztica and Chult. Maztican zenquilch enjoy more interactions and friendly relations with the local tabaxi due to their shared worship of the Cat Lord. Chultan zenquilch have similarly amicable relations with Chult tabaxi, but they are seen still as very different creatures and heavily associated with the dead. This omen is what makes zenquilch embody the saying of cats having nine lives. Within these societies, zenquilch tend to be avid workers in centers of worship. Outside these locations, zenquilch are nomadic tribesmen that wander in deserts and other arid areas that are preferably warm.

Unlike tabaxi clans and their Hunts, zenquilch are much less organized. Their tribes are just a giant group without much designation of order. Males and females are both allowed to have harems, especially if they show they are able to support more mates. Zenquilch generally form their own individual ideas of division, usually based on things like hoards and harems, though these standards are not representative of the race's ideals as a whole. Also, these haughty standards of a zenquilch are highly private and rarely carry over outside if they should choose to leave to travel the world. Zenquilch are keenly aware of themselves as "outsiders" and so usually try to remain inconspicuous when not within the limits of their tribe.

Zenquiltch Names

The general naming convention for this species is to use the Slavic words for plants and herbs. Due to the many different Slavic dialects many members of this species can be named after the same plant, in a different dialect

Zenquiltch Traits

Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2 and your Constitution score increases by 1.
Age.
Alignment.
Size. Zenquiltch are anywhere 4ft8 to 5ft5. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 25 feet they also have a swimming speed of 10 feet and a climbing speed of 30 feet
Darkvision. You have a cat's keen senses, especially in the dark. 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.
Magic Incapability. You are incapable of creating or performing any magic, or magic based abilities as well as receiving the effects from any positive spells cast upon you. However any negative spell effects are doubled in duration, intensity or both depending on the nature of the spell.
Languages. {{{languages}}}

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
′ ''	+	lb.	× () lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

5.00

(one vote)

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