Sacred to the Snow Leopards

They are a sparse people, living in small prides across the staighre ​​speur (stay-ghre spur), inhabiting the forests at it’s foot, the caves and plateaus, and all the way up to the peaks of the mountains, where few dwell. At the peaks of the tallest mountain lies a serene monastery, a place of tranquillity, where a lone monk lived. The average height is typically over 5'10", with some standing over 6'5" feet. Average weight is about 190 lbs. All of them have thick white fur with spots that help them hide in the snow. They don't require a lot of clothing, but most wear something in concordance with religious sacraments. 

The snow leopards follow a life without alcohol or sweets, thinking they curse the body with imperfections, primarily eating meat, but sometimes eating roots and vegetables when the hunting is thin. They do not have to cook the meat to eat it, but most choose to for the added warmth it brings to them in the colder winters nights. It snows often on the mountains, and often in terrible blizzards. Many make a pilgrimage to the top of the mountain and visit the monastery, for spiritual peace, where faith is thin on the mountain tops, some do pray to gods to assist them, though most snow leopards pray only to the changing of the seasons, and the fruitfulness of the hunt. The moon goddess being the most likely god to be worshipped.

Most do not settle, there are no villages on the mountains, with each season, a new shift to the terrain of the mountain brings the need to move, to find better resting spots, some retire to the forest for winter altogether. The only stable settlement amongst the mountains are the monasteries, built on the peaks, where the winds don't reach, and all is calm and gentle.

Snow leopards hunt and kill but only for what they need, or what they must do. They do not murder beasts of the land, thinking them to the same level if not higher than most thoughtful creatures. They feed herds of beasts when the herds’ numbers dwindle, and never cage them or farm them. The hunt is as sacred as the pilgrimage.

Enlightened on the mountain

Most do not leave the mountains or the neighboring lands, but for some it is their calling. To learn, to grow, to change, there is as much a reason to go as there is a reason to stay, but all dream of the mountains in their sleep, it is a sacred place.

There are the leonin of the valleys but the snow leopards rarely mingle with them, they do not have much in common, but a shared ancestry and some similar stories. There are also natives to the west, but they have a mixed history with the leonin.

Life is peaceful in the mountains, the chaos of the weather and cold bring a sense of acceptance in the now, few look to the past or plan for the future, for the present is where they reside always.

The natives to the jungles have been known to trade with the snow leopards for furs and meats, and some have even embraced the pilgrimage to the monastery. As long as it’s with respect, the snow leopards are open to sharing their culture with all who ask, including the mothfolk. Sometimes these insectoid fey creatures will travel to the mountains to study the ways of the snow leopards, learning their songs. The mothfolk have a friendly rapport with most of the species, though some find them invasive.

Snow Leopard Tradition

Typically, Snow Leopard tend toward neutral and good alignments; if they are focused on others, they more specifically tend toward neutral good, rather than true neutral. In addition to a personal name, Snow Leopard also identify themselves with their tradition -- so for example, a Snow Leopard named Amir would likely introduce himself as Amir of the Quietfeet.

Male Names: Amir, Bibek, Kiran, Krishna, Manish, Milan, Ram, Sajit, Sang, Udgam, Aanga

Female Names: Alina, Alisha, Heena, Shirisha, Shubhu, Soneeya, Baijanthi, Bilhana, Chatushkarni

Snow Leopard Traits

Ability Score Increase.
You can increase any ability score by 2 and any other score by 1

Age.
Leonin mature and age at about the same rate as humans.

Size.
Medium

Speed. 
35

Languages.
You can speak, read, and write Common and Leonin.

Racial Beliefs (Alignment).
Generally neutral, but tend towards good.

Hunter's Instincts.
You have proficiency in one of the following skills of your choice: Athletics, Intimidation, Perception, or Survival.

Pounce.
If you move at least 20 feet straight toward a target and then hit it with a melee weapon attack on the same turn, you can immediately follow that attack with a bonus action shove.

Low-light Vision.
You can see in dim light as if it were bright light.

Claws.
Your claws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. Your claw attacks may be made with dexterity instead of strength, but do not have the finesse property. If you hit with them, you can deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Dexterity modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.