Medium-large beast, depending upon age. Most are lawful neutral (5% good, 5% evil).
A see invisible spell or other techniques for detecting the invisible will not see a camouflaged crest cat, since it can be seen, but it just happens to look exactly like its background. The fur of young adult crest cats and older extends its camouflage action into other wavelengths, similarly foiling infravision and ultravision. They can, however be detected by smell (eg by dogs or herd animals).
For sighting purposes, have a character save against wisdom at – (crest cats HD+3) (so an adult is at -9), DC 12. This save is at +4 if the cat is attacking. Camouflaged crest cats become visible if stunned or killed.
Although highly intelligent, curious and playful, crest cats are extremely fond of battle; it is every crest cat’s dream to die in combat against a worthy opponent while fighting for a great cause. This does not mean to say that they will take stupid or foolhardy risks – they would still rather win a fight than lose one! However, when the battle lust is on them (5% chance per turn, cumulative while combat continues, adjusted by age) they will never retreat. Often a crest cat will attach itself to a particularly brave fighter as a companion-at-arms. These creatures have an abiding hatred of cowards and sneaks generally. They may be encountered singly, but will also work together in groups to defeat greater challenges.
Crest cats cannot speak any languages, but can communicate amongst their own kind psionically, and with other psionic creatures via telepathy over short distances. They form lairs in any terrain, but prefer mountains or open grasslands. They can climb sheer walls and rocks using tough, efficient sucker pads in their feet. They have retractable claws and razor-sharp teeth.
Crest cats become much tougher and more skilful as they age.
Baby and very young crest cats (age 0-6 months) resemble baby panthers in size and colouration. They are only found with a family group, in the lair, where they are suckled by their mothers. At this age, their camouflage pelt has not developed; the crest on their necks is a fluffy down.
To survive in the wild, kittens and cubs must be raised by crest cats, otherwise their telepathy does not develop, and they typically die before adolescence. Orphaned young crest cats are often adopted by another family, tribe, or even an individual, in extreme circumstances.
Armour class 10 Speed 3’, climb 2’ HD 1D4 HP 2
Str | Dex | Con | Int | Wis | Cha |
5 (-3) | 7 (-2) | 8 (-1) | 13 (+1) | 7 (-2) | 15 (+2) |
Perception+3. Passive perception 12. Stealth +1
Attacks:
Claw or bite 1HP
Challenge: 1/10 0 XP
Cub
Cubs (age 6-18months) resemble young panthers in size and colouration. They are only found with a family group, in the lair. They begin to eat meat at this time, which they are brought by family members. Their camouflage pelt is slowly beginning to develop, along with the crest on their necks which changes from the infant down to the beginnings of their mature appearance.
Armour class 12 Speed 10’, climb 5’ HD 2D6+1 HP 8
Str | Dex | Con | Int | Wis | Cha |
7 (-2) | 9 (-1) | 10 (+0) | 14 (+1) | 8 (-1) | 14 (+2) |
Perception+3. Passive perception 13. Stealth +2
Attacks:
Claw or bite 1d6
Challenge: 1/8 25 XP
Adolescent
Adolescent crest cats (age 18months-3 years) are characterised by a lightening of their coats, and their distinctive crests develop during this stage. Similarly, their camouflage ability develops, and by the end of this stage is fully effective in visible light.
They begin to explore beyond the lair, while usually staying in the family group, and begin to hunt for their own food, at first under adult supervision. They can hunt and catch small mammals – progressing to deer by the end of this period.
Armour class 16 Speed 15’, climb 5’ HD 3D8+5 HP 17
Str | Dex | Con | Int | Wis | Cha |
10 (+0) | 12 (+1) | 13 (+1) | 15 (+2) | 8 (-1) | 14 (+2) |
Perception +4. Passive perception 13. Stealth +3
Attacks:
All attacks +2 to hit one target range 5’
Bite 1d8
Or Front claws 1D6 + 1.
If the front claws strike with a critical hit, then the cat has an extra attack with back claws 1D6+1.
+20% on battle lust roll.
Challenge: 1/2 100 XP
Young Adult
Young Adult crest cats (age 3 – 5 years) have developed pelts and crests. They can camouflage highly effectively in the visible light range.
They will leave the family group to hunt and catch their own food, typically returning after a day or two. They may also bring kills home to share.
By the end of this period, their camouflage is beginning to be effective in the infravision and ultravision ranges.
Armour class 18 Speed 20’, climb 10’ HD 4D10+8 HP 30
Str | Dex | Con | Int | Wis | Cha |
14 (+0) | 15 (+1) | 15 (+1) | 16 (+2) | 8 (-1) | 15 (+2) |
Perception +4. Passive perception 14. Stealth +4
Attacks:
All attacks +4 to hit one target range 5’
Bite 1d8+3
Or Front claws 2D8 + 2.
If the front claws strike with a critical hit, then the cat has an extra attack with back claws 2D6+2.
+10% on battle lust roll.
Challenge: 1 250 XP
Adult
Adult crest cats (5-15 years) leave the family group in search of their own mate, and to begin their own family. Crest cats typically mate for life.
Their crest and camouflage are fully developed and will remain so for the rest of their lives.
This is the age group that is most commonly encountered in the wilderness, wither alone or in a loose pack.
Armour class 19 Speed 30’, climb 15’ HD 6D10+10 HP 43
Str | Dex | Con | Int | Wis | Cha |
17 (+3) | 17 (+3) | 16 (+3) | 17 (+3) | 9 (-1) | 16 (+2) |
Perception +4. Passive perception 15. Stealth +5
Attacks:
All attacks +6 to hit one target range 5’
Bite 2d8+1
Or Front claws 2D8 + 6.
If the front claws strike with a natural 19 or a critical hit, then the cat has an extra attack with back claws 2D8+2.
Adult crest cats can Action Surge as a fighter.
Challenge: 2 250 XP
Old
Older crest cats (15-20 years) are mature beasts, they are likely to be grandparents and may become the de-facto leaders of a larger group of families.
Armour class 21 Speed 40’, climb 15’ HD 7D10+16 HP 55
Str | Dex | Con | Int | Wis | Cha |
18 (+4) | 17 (+3) | 17 (+3) | 18 (+4) | 11 (+0) | 16 (+2) |
Perception +5. Passive perception 15. Stealth +6
Attacks:
All attacks +5 to hit, one target range 5’
Bite 2d8+1
And Front claws 2D8 + 6.
If the front claws strike with a natural 19 or a critical hit, then the cat has an extra attack with back claws 2D8+2.
Note that Old cats have an extra attack with bite as well as claws - as acquired by the normal AD&D fighter class at 5th level, and can also Action Surge.
Challenge: 2 450 XP
Ancient
Ancient crest cats (20-25 years) are extremely rare, grizzled survivors. Large beasts, they are intimidating to see when they disable their camouflage. They are strategic thinkers, long-range planners, and are major leaders in battle.
Armour class 23 Speed 40’, climb 10’ HD 8D12+12 HP 64
Str | Dex | Con | Int | Wis | Cha |
19 (+4) | 17 (+3) | 17 (+3) | 19 (+4) | 13 (+1) | 18 (+2) |
Perception +6. Passive perception 17. Stealth +6
Attacks:
All attacks +6 to hit, one target range 5’
Bite 2d10+1
And Front claws 2D10 + 6.
If the front claws strike with a natural 18, 19 or a critical hit, then the cat has an extra attack with back claws 2D10+2.
Ancient cats can Action Surge, and have an extra attack with bite as well as claws - as acquired by the fighter class at 5th level.
They also take on the Battle Master archetype, with the same benefits as fighters who take on this archetype. They have the Maneuvers ‘Commander’s Strike’ (instruction is via telepathy), ‘Precision Attack’ and ‘Sweeping attack’
-10% on Battle Lust roll.
Challenge: 4 1,100 XP