Abilen

Gentle, civilised catfolk descended from savage beasts

Abilen Heritage Traits

Average Height: 137-167cm (4’6”-5’6”)
Average Weight: 27-45kg (60-100 lb.)
Ability Scores: +2 Charisma, +2 Intelligence or Dexterity

Size: Small
Speed: 6 squares
Vision: Low-light vision

Languages: Common and Abil, plus any one
Skill Bonuses: +2 Diplomacy, +2 Insight

Feline Grace: You have a +1 racial bonus to Reflex and Will.

Cultural Savant: At first level, you gain training in one additional skill of your choice.

Through the Crowd: You have the through the crowd heritage power.

Through the CrowdAbilen Heritage Power
You utilise your small frame to slip into the perfect position, right under your enemies’ noses.
Encounter
Free Action Personal
Effect: Until the end of your turn, you do not provoke opportunity attacks for moving, and you can move through enemy squares.

Known the world over for their hospitality and smooth social skills, the catlike abilen are a fixture of civilised cities. Secluded in Ashar during the War of Empires, they adapted quickly to peace in Alm, ingratiating themselves to friendly nations with a fortuitously-timed trade offer or favourable business deal. Abilen became a necessary part of the new era so smoothly it was barely noticed.

Like the nation of Independence, the abilen’s approach to the recent wars was to take great pains to work themselves into the political and mercantile foundations of all of Alm’s important nations, meaning hostility toward them is widely frowned upon.

Play an abilen if you want…

  • to have feline traits and appearance.
  • to get along easily with friends and strangers.
  • to be a nimble, lightly-armoured adventurer.

Physical Qualities

Abilen are small and slight creatures, with delicate builds and fine features. Their height is as a short human—typically a little under five feet—but they are extraordinarily light, weighing as little as a human youth. Their slender bodies lack the physical bulk of their bestial forebears, but in return grant them natural grace and agility.

Although their shape and stance are humanoid, abilen bear many feline features, especially on their face. They have rounded faces with short muzzles, sharp teeth, and small pointed ears which sit toward the top of their heads. Their soft, sleek fur ranges in colour and markings, and they have tails much like domestic cats. They also sport small claws on their fingers and toes, which retract when they are at rest.

Abilen have lifespans similar to humans, but spend much longer in their prime. They show virtually no signs of aging until their twilight years, when their health typically deteriorates very swiftly.

Playing an Abilen

Despite being beast-kin, abilen evolution has followed a very different path to gnolls and equitarn. The typical abilen is spry but delicate, ill-suited to combat or heavy labour, and hardly a brutal predator. Nevertheless, Ashari business dealings can be ruthlessly efficient, even when they are mutually beneficial.

Though they are native to the desert nation of Ashar, there are few civilised places where abilen have not become part of the community. Between Ashar’s diplomatic efforts and the abilen’s non-threatening image, they have a good reputation that puts them at an advantage in many social situations. They are strongly associated with trade in all nations, and often travel with merchant caravans, going wherever they perceive value.

While abilen do not typically seek out danger, many adventuring companies and guilds are financially linked to Ashar, giving them plenty of opportunities to get a taste for adventure. The typical abilen adventurer is optimistic but practical, planning for both the best and worst outcomes. Most prefer low-risk ventures, seeing adventuring as a job rather than a chance to brawl, but there are always those who prefer high risk and high reward.

Abilen are perceived as… Friendly, easygoing, sharp-witted, practical, mercantile, sanguine, creative, adaptable, sensible.

Names: Adina, Ari, Ashei, Eisha, Janya, Laksha, Leyla, Mia, Myan, Ruhan, Samira, Sanura, Shadi, Shameen, Shema, Tasha.

Abilen names are the only modern use for Abil, the native abilen tongue. They are typically short—no more than two syllables—and usually end in vowel sounds.

Significant Revisions

1.0—Legacy version
  • 17 years ago Update Original version published based on work for Cobrin'Seil by Talen Lee
2.0—Initial 4e version
  • 13 years ago Update Game mechanics overhauled for 4e. First 4e version published to gamebrief.wikidot.com
  • 6 years ago Update Published to original Skies of Escarnum website.
2.1—Current 4e version
  • 5 years ago Update Various language changes; no significant rules changes
  • 1 year ago Update Darkvision reverted to low-light vision