Cats (a Stolen by Bats class)

 Locheil of the discord, emojismith of renown and eternal enemy of the cats of Öltirw, occasionally has good ideas. It pains me to admit. One of these is the system Stolen by Bats, designed around and inspired by Failbetter Games' Fallen London and two related video games. Fallen London is truly a work of modern art, and a masterpiece in interesting, interconnected, complicated, deep, and truly clever lore writing. I recommend everyone ask someone obsessed with it to rant about it, though the actual game of Fallen London is a browser based freemium grinding experience which many will find not to their taste, sadly.

Presented here is a class for Stolen by Bats. If you have questions about the implications of some of the information presented- good, you're starting to get the idea.

CATS

+1 Mirrors and +1 Veils per template
Starting Equipment: Haughty Superiority, Elegant Whiskers, Twenty (20) Sharp Claws, Lavish Fur Coat, an Unsettled Grudge
Skills: 1) Spywork 2) Intimidation 3) Being Unnoticed 4) Singing 5) Politics 6) Forbidden Knowledge

A - Confidence, Confidant
B - Friends, High Places
C - Opening
D - By The Toe

Confidence
    Cats are an enigmatic and egotistical breed even Surface-side, but here in the Neath they are more so- sapient, talking creatures with a fair share of secrets and a penchant for spycraft and warfare. You are one of them, a tabby or tom of some household variety roaming the streets with whiskers held high- as you should, after all. These people don't understand the purpose of cats, or appreciate you enough for it. But they don't need to. You know what you're worth.
    When inside a dream or a mirror, or while fighting a snake (of any variety), you have 4HD, +4 Iron, and the stature of a grand tiger. In the waking world, you have a maximum of 1HD and cannot wield weapons not specifically crafted for you, though your claws deal 1d3 damage.

Confidant
    Cats are purveyors of secrets, and trade them more regularly than rostygold- though not to outsiders, of course. Far too valuable to let any but feline minds hold on to. Note down nine secrets (about anything or anyone- it's true) on your sheet, hidden from the other players. Any time you would die, you can speak one aloud and cross it off- instead, you're completely fine, washing your paws unharmed a few feet away. When the last one is crossed out, for any reason, you drop dead on the spot.
    Nosy humanoids can pry where they don't belong, though, and by ancient law you are required to divulge a secret to anyone who catches you and pets your soft wittle tummy-tum. Cross one off and tell it to your captor. Feel free to scratch them for the theft.

Friends
    The Banded Prince has heard your name spoken- or more likely, one of his ministers has. Once a session, a cat who you owe a favor owes you a favor. They can take a quick look inside a guarded building, tell you where someone is right now, or get you something the size of a dead bird from the market lickety-split. They expect one of your secrets as payment, but can sometimes be mollified with expensive catnip instead.

High Places
    Soft padded paws and an agreement with gravity mean you can ignore any fall damage that wouldn't kill you with a minimum roll. Sharp slitted eyes and a keen nose mean that you can ask the DM two questions about any location you can scout from high above.

Opening
    When you strike first and in an unexpected way, any success is a critical success. This could mean dealing maximum damage on an attack roll, or cornering the merchant with a clever entrapment of words. Other cats are difficult to catch with this- they've used the same strategies before, of course.

By The Toe
     You are understood to be a Claw of the Prince, now. Not that you were only recently appointed- simply that more people are aware of it. Your station affords you your Confidence bonus at all times, and you may choose to be a tiger in the Is as well as the Is-Not, if it pleases. Once ever, the Court of the Wakeful Eye can grant you a boon- any one thing you can dream of, stained viric, delivered when you sleep. It will be returned to the Is-Not on the Prince's whim, usually a week later, though perhaps earlier if you anger him, or he is bored.