Tabaxi
| Tabaxi | |
|---|---|
 A tabaxi, appearing in the Monstrous Manual (2e), art by Jeff Butler (1993). | |
| Names | |
| Other name(s): | Catmen, catfolk |
| General information | |
| Size: | Medium or small |
| Alignment: | Chaotic neutral |
| Type: | Humanoid |
| First appearance: | Fiend Folio (1e). TSR, p86. |
Tabaxi (also called catmen or catfolk) are a race of reclusive feline humanoids found in far reachs of distant lands, like Hepmonaland.
Ecology
Environment
Tabaxi of the World of Greyhawk™ are commonly found only in Hepmonaland in the central eastern lands. Their tribes are most often seen in the Kelo Hills, Kyalo Hills, and Otobo Jungle, in the jungles between the hills and the eastern seaboard. They are found in especially large numbers (1,000[?]) in and around the area of Anatal[1] at the eastern terminus of the Kyalo Hills where they meet the Sea of Sharks. They are also found in tribes in the largely unclaimed regions of the Centeo Jungle.[2]
They inhabit the far reaches of tropical jungles, avoiding both humans and sapient non-humans.[3] Tabaxi are reclusive and avoid other intelligent beings, even other tabaxi clans.[4]
Typical physical appearance
Tabaxi have spotted coats ranging in color from light yellow to brownish red. These graceful feline humanoids are tall and slender, with retractable claws, and eyes of green or yellow. Some tabaxi have solid spots and are also called leopard men; they pronounce their name /ta-BAX-ee/. Tabaxi in other regions have roseate spots, are called jaguar men, and pronounce their race's name /tah-BAHSH-ee/.[4]
The cat-men are tall and lithe and move with the smooth-easy grace of cats. Some have fine fur which is tawny and striped with black, in a pattern similar to that of a tiger. They wear no clothing. Their eyes are green-yellow and slit-pupilled. They have retractable claws.[4]
Society
Tabaxi clans contain equal numbers of males and females.[4]
They live in small prides, each pride roaming a large territory and rarely having anything to do with other prides. A pride will generally be an even number of males, females, and children. The females are at least the equal of the males in fighting ability.[3]
An elder leads the clan, aided by a shaman.[4]
They do not engage in trade, which they consider demeaning, but some few have agents who trade for them.[4]
Religion
Tabaxi aren't described as having any particular spiritual beliefs in first edition. However, in second edition, their shamans worship powers related to sunlight, rain, or animals. This coincides somewhat more with the way they were presented in Races of the Wild (3e). They are described as "deeply spiritual" and their most prominent religious figures being druids devoted to Obad-hai's worship. However, it was Obad-Hai's aspects relating to animals which were emphasized.[5] The same source notes some tabaxi (especially adventuring tabaxi) may follow the precepts of Fharlanghn.[5]. Finally, in fifth edition, Tabaxi are detailed as worshipping the Cat Lord, who created them.[6]
Language
Tabaxi speak their own ancient language.[4]
Personality
Alignment
Tabaxi are usually chaotic neutral.
Abilities
Tabaxi are great hunters, combining quick, stealthy movements with natural camouflage to surprise prey. Tabaxi climb and swim, and can use those abilities in combat. Because of their cleverness and acute sense of smell, tabaxis are almost impossible to trap.[4]
Tabaxi are clever and organized, often driving prey into an ambush (though some play with prey before killing it).[4]
The tabaxi are extraordinary hunters, taking their prey through surprise and quick ambush. Two of them will often chase an animal directly onto the claws of a third. They have learned how to avoid detection by disguising their scent with aromatic herbs. This, combined with their natural camouflage and ability to move quickly and silently, makes them deadly opponents in the tropical forest.[3]
Possessions
Tabaxi often use weapons of wood, bone, and stone, including bolas, slings, obsidian studded clubs (treat as battle axes), and javelins with atlatl.[4]
They are tool-users when they find it convenient to be so. Their tools usually consist of bone or wooden weapons, with nothing more intricate than a bola or atlatl.[3]
Activities
Their hunting groups work the area around the clan lair. Some lairs are temporary, but most are small villages of ramadas (huts with grass roofs supported by tall poles, and no walls).[4]
History
Rumors and legends
Legends tell of a great tabaxi civilization that was supplanted by other races.[4]
Appearances
- The Scarlet Brotherhood
Publishing history
Throughout the editions, Tabaxi have been given varying descriptions, especially considering which large cats they resemble. In first edition, they were described as something between a lion and a tiger, being both "tawny and striped with black".[3]
In sources published during second edition, like The Scarlet Brotherhood (1998), tabaxi were described as similar to both jaguars or leopards.
In third edition, tabaxi went from being also known as "catmen" to "catfolk" as was common during the era (also beastfolk, lizardfolk, etc). They were primarily described as resembling lions and inhabiting temperate and tropical grasslands (plains and savannahs). Though it was noted "other groups have the characteristic markings and appearance of leopards, tigers, or cheetahs."[7][8]
Tabaxi did not appear in fourth edition.
Tabaxi made their first appearance in fifth edition in Volo's Guide to Monsters (2016).[9] There was once again a difference in the way their appearance is described, in that no description is given. However, in Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse (2022), tabaxi fur patterns are clarified that they can look similar to just about any feline, great or small.[10] Much like hair and skin color for any other race, the fur pattern or cosmetic appearance of a Tabaxi character are up to the player or DM. Though this allows the player to have a PC which suits them, the lore specific to the World of Greyhawk suggest the most common types are as described above and they are most found near Olman and Touv cultures, i.e. tropical arid grasslands and rainforest/jungles.
In Volo's Guide, tabaxi are medium-sized,[9] but in Monsters of the Multiverse they can be either Medium or Small.[10]
Gallery
-
Fiend Folio, 1981 1e. -
Stephen Tappin, Miniatures Handbook, 2003 3e
External links
Disclaimer:Any lore presented through the following links does not necessarily adhere to established officially published content, and the views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the editors of this wiki.
References
Citations
- ↑ The Scarlet Brotherhood (1999), p.47.
- ↑ The Scarlet Brotherhood (1999), p.56.
- ↑ a b c d e Fiend Folio (1981), p.86.
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l Monstrous Manual (1993), p.335.
- ↑ a b Races of the Wild (2005), p.93.
- ↑ Volo's Guide to Monsters (2016), p.113, 114.
- ↑ Races of the Wild (2005), p.92.
- ↑ Miniatures Handbook (2003), p.56.
- ↑ a b Volo's Guide to Monsters (2016), p.113-115.
- ↑ a b Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse (2021), p.33.
Bibliography
Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index
The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.
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