Ringtails have thick fur over most of their bodies, usually in shades of gray. The most distinctive trait they share in common is the black and white banded tail from which they derive their name. These tails are not prehensile, but do help with balance in high places, and most take care to dress in a way that leave their tails unobstructed, even if it requires specialized tailoring.
Ringtail eyes are in shades of red, yellow, and orange, and are proportionately much larger than most humanoids, which gives them a curious, almost bug-eyed appearance. Their faces have lighter white fur with dark fur around their ears, and some have long, spindly fingers that that helped their ancestors feed and groom themselves, which can be disconcerting for those used to less versatile and flexible digits.
Characters with the Ringtail heritage share a variety of traits in common with one another.
Age. Ringtails mature at about age 20, and they can live as long as 60 years.
Size. Ringtails usually stand from 5 feet to 6 feet in height, though their arboreal nature means that even the tallest often look more gangly than menacing. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Balancing Tail. You have a long tail that helps you keep your balance. You gain an expertise die on Acrobatics and Athletics checks related to balancing.
Climb Speed. You have a climbing speed of 30 feet.
Superior Darkvison. You have surpassingly good vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 120 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Ringtails’ gifts classically exhibit a duality of light and darkness. Instead of those in the shadows being shunned, however, most ringtails see both as part of the balance of their people, as all are made from the same ash from the cosmic f ire. In addition to the traits granted by your heritage, select one of the following gifts.
The darkness brings danger, but also opportunity to prosper. Ringtails with this gift are sometimes known as “black bands”, referring to the tail rings the heritage gains its name from, and are adept at working in the shadows. You have the following traits:
Silent-Steps. When obscured by dim light or total darkness, you can take the Hide action as a bonus action and your Speed increases by 5 feet.
Whispers Travel Far. You know the message cantrip.
Some ringtails are especially adept at finding hope when the hour is darkest and all seems lost. Also called “white bands”, these ringtails excel at supporting others and driving back the darkness. You have the following traits:
Helper’s Reach. When using the Help action, the creature you aid can be up to 30 feet away.
Helping Hand. In dim light or total darkness you can use the Help action as a bonus action.
Light in Dark Places. You know the light cantrip. Your spellcasting ability for this trait is the same as the ability score used in the spellcasting class in which you have the highest level, or Charisma if you have no levels in a spellcasting class.
At 10th level, you become an exemplar of your heritage and may choose two of the following paragon gifts.
Dual Nature. You can choose another heritage gift option you have access to, either from the ringtail heritage or, if you chose a mixed heritage, your second heritage.
Fugitive Seeker. You gain tremorsense up to a distance of 30 feet. In addition, you gain an expertise dice on rolls made to track creatures you have previously seen within the range of your tremorsense.
Night-Glider. When in in dim light or darkness you can cast f ly without expending a spell slot or material components. The spellcasting ability for this trait is Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma (whichever is higher). Casting the spell in this way does not require the concentration. However, if you begin your turn in bright light and can’t enter dim light or darkness before the end of your turn, the spell ends and you take falling damage as normal. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your spellcasting ability modifier, regaining all spent uses on a long rest.
Ringtails are found in many cultures but, due to their sensitive hearing and preference for darker environments, they often avoid cities. While some might think this makes them gloomy, ringtails are an intrinsically hopeful people, even below individual layers of cynicism. As many believe they were made from the ashes of a cosmic fire, some ringtails see themselves as bringers of light to dark places, either literal or metaphorical, whether that is the light of hope, knowledge, love, or some other personal value. However, some choose to do so in a solemn, cautious manner—the dark hides as many dangers as it does opportunities, and sometimes it is best to keep that light hidden until the time is right. While they are often eager to share their light with others, the ringtails’ arboreal inclinations and excellent darkvision mean that many outsiders rarely feel at home in their settlements. However, those who do adapt to such conditions often find themselves invited to large “cuddle piles”, platonic affairs meant to help share warmth and social connection, especially in the dark months of winter.
While you can choose any culture for your ringtail character, the following cultures are linked closely with this heritage: circusfolk, forgotten folx, keeper of the land GPG, Lemurian, moonkeeper, stoneworthy, villager, and wildling.