Nahuali

Pronunciation: Nahual (NAH-whal)
Pronunciation, Plural: Nahuali (nah-WHAL-ee)
Homeworld: Uteki Prime
Empire: None

Of all the species in Ardemare, the Nahuali are the most mysterious. Their unique ability to shift between a feline and human form has lead to a deep misunderstanding and distrust of the species, which is mostly unearned. For this reason, the Nahuali seem rare to even the most experienced galactic travelers, as the Nahuali rarely use their feline form in public spaces. Nahuali also tend to live solitary lives, with little connection to their species as a whole. In addition to changing their physical appearance, Nahuali can also jump between two distances using a technique that appears similar to Neamhni abilites, though the ability is instinctual for Nahuali. They call this ability the Spirit Step and it is a well kept Nahuali secret that they even possess the ability at all

Art by John Latta

• Human Form - In this form, Nahuali have no physiological differences from Humans
• Nahuali Form - In this form they have fur covered, humanoid shaped bodies with a tail, claws on the hands and feet, a inverted shin, and feline facial features that resemble panthers, tigers, cheetahs, or leopards
• Feline Form - This form is a quadrepadal form with features identical to whatever cat their Nahuali form takes. This form is inditiguishable from a normal animal of the same type. In this form, using ki is awkward but not impossible

Between forms their weight remains relatively stable. To transform, the Nahuali use their Spirit Step ability. When shifting, clothing or other worn items can be temporarily left in the spirit realm and recovered when shifting back

Nahuali are feared and regarded as thieves, sneaks, and in some cases, assasins. As such the Nahuali generally avoid revealing their identity, even to close companions. Nahuali do not tend to return the grudge, at least not to any specific species, instead regarding all species with fundamental distrust

Almost all Nahuali are solitary creatures. For some this means wandering the forests of a world, for others it is exploring the stars with a small band of allies. It is not uncommon for Nahuali to travel with strangers for years without revealing their identity

Hit Point Formula: Res + 3d6
Adaptable: +1 Strength, +2 Dexterity, +1 Intelligence
Medium: +1 bonus to grapple maneuvers against smaller targets
Movement Speed: Nahuali have a base movement speed of 30 feet
Spirit Step: As a swift action, Nahuali can step through the void, moving ten feet in any direction without traversing the distance. Upon exiting the void, the Nahuali can assume their human or Nahuali form. This ability can only be used every other round
Feline Instincts: Gain Stealth as a Skill Focus at level 1, +1 bonus to checks made to identify another Nahuali in human their form
Feline Form: (quadrapedal animal form) Gain Advantage on Stealth checks, movement speed increases by 10 feet, and Darkvision 30 feet. Incurs a 3d6 penalty to offensive or defensive formulas that does not apply to melee actions
Nahuali Form: (bipedal humanoid form) When attacking with a melee strike using claws or fangs, deal 3 additional damage. This damage is always lethal

Galactic historical records relevant to the Nahuali

• 4,899,525,973: Uteki is forged by Kajen, the astral smith
• 5,123,696,889: The planets of the Uteki star system are formed by Qijen, the planetary smith
• 5,123,714,863: Planetary oceans in the Uteki star system are formed by Namu, Sura of the seas
• 5,337,128,279: Aine carries spores to the Uteki star system, fungal and plant life develops
• 5,338,605,005: Animal life spreads to the Uteki star system
• 5,453,724,146: The Nahuali awaken in the Uteki star system on Uteki I
• 5,755,727,973: The Nahuali develop spoken language
• 5,756,157,552: The Nahuali develop written language
• 5,905,989,121: The Nahuali discover ki manipulation
• 5,943,003,301: The Nahuali achieve planetary unity on Uteki I
• 6,319,739,920: The Nahuali discover gravitational ki manipulation on Uteki I
• 6,632,227,203: The Nahuali embark on the species' first interplanetary expedition, fleeing planetwide ecological collapse
• 6,632,227,204: The Nahuali establish the species' first interplanetary settlement on Uteki Prime
• 6,632,315,083: The Nahuali launch the species' first interstellar expedition
• 6,632,316,006: The Nahuali establish the species' first interstellar settlement on Nybling Prime

You may wish to randomly generate the physical characteristics of your character. To do so, you may use the following formulas

Human Eye Color: Roll 3d6 and use the table below

Human Hair Color: Roll 2d6 and use the table below

Human Skin Color: Roll 3d6 and use the table below

Nahuali Eye Color: Roll 3d6 and use the table below

Nahuali Fur Color: Roll 2d6 and use the table below