| Adulthood | Intuitive1 | Self-Taught2 | Trained3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 years | +1d6 | +2d6 | +3d6 |
| Middle Age | Old | Venerable | Maximum Age |
| 60 | 90 | 120 | 120+3d20 years |
| Gender | Base Height | Height Modifier | Base Weight | Weight Modifier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 5 ft. 4 in. | 130 lbs. | +2d8 | ×5 lbs. |
| Female | 5 ft. 2 in. | 100 lbs. | +2d8 | ×5 lbs. |
Throwing back his thick mane of beaded locks, this powerful-looking bestial humanoid grins with a mouth of pointed teeth before turning into a noble lion.
A leonine race, the nkosi appear to be bestial humans with cat's eyes and the fangs and fur of a lion. Most grow their hair long, braiding colorful beads into their locks to mark important events in their lives. Though comfortable in the wilds, nkosi can adapt to any environment. In combat, they favor curved blades, wielded in a brutal fighting style in concert with snapping lunges using their sharp teeth. They prefer light armor and often decorate it with bone beads, fetishes, and similar tokens taken from beasts they have slain.
Racial Traits
Nkosi have no racial Hit Dice, gaining their capabilities from class levels. All nkosi have the following racial traits.
- Ability Score Racial Traits: Nkosi are physically strong and nimble, but they are also abrasive and confrontational. They gain +2 Strength, +2 Dexterity, but suffer -2 Charisma.
- Type: Nkosi are monstrous humanoids with the shapechanger subtype.
- Medium: Nkosi are Medium creatures and have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
- Speed: Nkosi are quicker than other races and have a base speed of 35 ft.
- Languages: Nkosi begin play speaking Common. Nkosi with high Intelligence scores can also choose bonus languages from the following: Draconic, Giant, Gnoll, and Sylvan. See the Linguistics skill page for more information about these languages.
Feat and Skill Racial Traits
- Stalker: Instinctive hunters, Perception, and Stealth are always class skills for nkosi.
Magic Racial Traits
- Hunter's Form (Su): The nkosi's true form is that of a feline humanoid with leonine features: a coat of tawny fur, slit pupils, and a slender tail. When they wish, the nkosi may change shape into the form of a zwana lion. While in animal shape, they gain a +10 racial bonus on Disguise checks to appear as a normal lion. Changing into lion shape is a standard action that provokes attacks of opportunity, but returning to normal is only a swift action that does not provoke. A nkosi may change their shape a number of times per day equal to 3 + half their character level. This ability otherwise functions as alter self and beast shape I, except for the following: They do not adjust ability scores or base attack. They lose any class abilities and feats that depend on form. They gain the abilities of their new form. They do not heal any damage upon changing form.
Offense Racial Traits
- Hunter's Maw (Ex): Nkosi have a natural bite attack that deals 1d6 hp damage. This can be used as a primary attack, or as a secondary attack if the nkosi is wielding manufactured weapons. Unlike lycanthropes, nkosi are natural shapechangers, so their bite does not impart any disease or grant any shape-changing ability.
