Races: The Yow-Lao

The Yow-Lao are a race of feline humanoids who originally lived to the northeast of the Great Circle in the Veldtlands. They have since made slow, steady progress south and southwest, expanding their territory carefully.

Yow-Lao are somewhat smaller and more fragile than humans, but excel in physical grace. Aside from superior coordination, they are notorious for being able to survive falls from great heights by landing on their feet. Yow-Lao are also able to see in even the most minimal light.

The Yow-Lao are not known for their work ethic: to a creature, what they believe to be a hard day’s work would merely qualify as light exercise to a human. Yow-Lao also spend an inordinate amount of time asleep, though this time is often measured in short naps rather than long stretches.

The Yow-Lao are also known to revert to a state of semi-animal mindlessness when under stress.

The Yow-Lao native social hierarchy is a caste structure, with males outranking females. Slavery is common and widespread, as is polygamy. The Yow-Lao are proud and aloof, but are regarded by humans as arrogant, lazy barbarians.

Yow-Lao
(Cat-man)
20 points for package

ST -1
DX +2
IQ +0
HT -1
Subtotal: 20

Catfall [10] (p. 41)
The Yow-Lao are known for their ability to land on their feet. Subtract 5 yards from a fall automatically, and a successful DX roll halves any damage from a fall.

Perfect Balance [15] (p. 74)
You can always keep your footing, no matter how narrow the walking surface. If the surface is wet, slippery, etc. you get +6 on all rolls to keep your feet. In combat, you get +4 to keep your feet or avoid being knocked down.* +1 to Acrobatics & Climbing.

Combat Reflexes [15] (p. 43)
You get +1 to all active defense rolls, +1 to fast-draw skill, +2 to Fright Checks, +6 on all IQ rolls to wake up or recover from surprise or mental stun. You never “freeze” in a surprise situation.

Night Vision [5] (p. 71)
You may ignore up to 5 points of darkness penalty.

Extra Sleep: [-10]
In order to be considered “fully rested,” you must sleep 13 hours a night , not 8.

Low Pain Threshold [-10]
Double the shock from any injury. You are at -4 to resist knockdown,* stunning, and physical torture. When you take any injury over 1 HP, you must make a Will roll to avoid crying out.

Laziness [-10] (p. 142)
You must avoid work, especially hard work, at all costs.

Stress Atavism [-5] Self Control 15-

Social Stigma: [-10]
Minority Group: -2 reaction to all but other Yow-Lao.