Shou

Legends concur that the masters of the wild are the shou (singular: shou, adjectival: shou). They are an animalistic people awakened from the beasts by Inashayle. Like their animal predecessors, the shou have keen instincts and remarkable deftness. A human nursery rhyme tells "If away from cities you go, you'll find the packs of shou."

Physiology

The most readily identifiable feature about the shou is that they are digitigrade — they walk on their toes like dogs or cats. This makes them powerful sprinters and jumpers. They have tails with limited motion usually less than the length of an arm. They bear large, slightly pointed ears, which face forward and sit higher on the head than a human's. Their noses are leathery and kept moist, and their upper lip has a marked cleft. All shou have soft fur covering parts of their bodies, notably the cheeks, neck, shoulders, hands, tail, feet, and along the sides of the arms. They also have silky hair on their heads which many shou keep chin-length or shorter. Their hair, fur, and skin share the same color, often in shades of blond, gray, brown, and tan, with very rare occurrances of black or white. They have four digits with small claws on their hands and feet. A majority of shou carry the appearance of something between a dog and a cat, but some have features which are decidedly one or the other (for instance, feline-looking shou may have spots and a long, sleek tail, whereas a canine-looking shou may have slightly droopy ears and a thick tail). Adult shou tend to vary in height between 4′6ʺ and 5′6ʺ, with males usually taller. Shou adolescence begins at 10 and they reach adulthood by 12. The shou lead short lives and tend not to live for more than 50 or 60 years.

Appearance

A shou can typically be seen wearing simple clothes made primarily from fur or leather, but also some fabrics. They favor tunics, loincloths, vests, and shawls. The shou don wooly ponchos in harsh weather. Many enjoy wearing jewelry (typically necklaces, hairclips, and tight bracelets) crafted from the remains of hunted animals to give their respect. Elders and important pack members are known to wear headdresses. A shou's feet are normally bare as their leathery paw pads provide enough support, although shou in colder climates wear boots for warmth.

Max Caps

• Agility 12
• Intellect 8
• Courage 8
• Psyche 12

Powers

• Balanced Beastie: Shou are nimble and dexterous. They tend to land on their feet, leap good distances, and tumble about with ease. They gain a +2 bonus to Gymnastics.
• Night Child: Being primarily nocturnal, the shou possess the same reflective layer behind their retinas as many species of animals. They can see well in all but pitch darkness.
• Keen Senses: The shou have impressive smell and hearing, receiving a +4 to Perception checks involving these senses. Their range for these senses is twice that of a human (a shou can halve Perception distance penalties). They can hear sounds one octave higher than humans.
• Attuned Spirit: The shou have one foot in the spiritual door. A shou receives a +2 to Clairvoyance to detect the presence of supernatural phenomena.