Buy me a coffeeCoeurl, the Black Stalker of Vibrant Death
Lurking in shadows with razor-sharp claws and electrified tentacles, the Coeurl is a deadly feline predator that can shred flesh and corrode steel with a single swipe!
A Coeurl resembles a panther stretched and reshaped by alien design. Its elongated forelimbs give it a forward-sloping, predatory gait, while its skin—slick and utterly black—absorbs light like a void. Where a terrestrial feline would have ears, the Coeurl sports delicate, curling antennae that constantly undulate, attuned to vibrations and sounds beyond mortal perception. From its shoulders rise two thick, prehensile tentacles, each ending in a splayed cluster of spines or barbs that twitch with unsettling intelligence. The creature moves with a supernatural silence, its lean form coiling with predatory grace.
Behavior
Coeurls are patient, calculating hunters. Despite their beastlike appearance, they possess sharp intelligence and often toy with prey before striking. They are curious and manipulative, using deception, telepathic projection, or mimicry to infiltrate or observe intelligent species. Coeurls do not rush into combat unless driven by need; they prefer surgical strikes from the shadows, retreating to let fear soften resistance before finishing the kill. When cornered, they become blurs of violent precision, using their tentacles to rend flesh and corrode metal defenses.
Habitat
Coeurls are most often found in desolate or alien regions—abandoned cities, shattered moonscapes, ruined high-tech facilities, or deep jungle valleys warped by planar anomalies. They thrive in places heavy with electromagnetic or magical residue, often nesting near sources of arcane or technological energy. A Coeurl can survive in any atmosphere and shows no discomfort in extreme environments, hinting at a physiology adapted to interstellar travel or extradimensional origins.
Modus Operandi
The Coeurl hunts using a combination of stealth, psionic manipulation, and sensory acuteness. It observes from afar, locating targets through its blindsense and antennae. It disables lights, locks, or machinery with its vibration manipulation, isolating its victim. If the prey carries weapons or armor, the Coeurl uses its rusting touch to degrade defenses. It strikes from ambush with its tentacles and claws, retreating into darkness when threatened. Against constructs or machinery, it uses sonic-laced strikes that shatter internal systems.
In more intelligent specimens, the Coeurl may infiltrate groups of humanoids, feigning tameness or weakness to get close—only to strike when trust is established and defenses are down.
Motivation
At its core, a Coeurl is driven by hunger—not for meat, but for an esoteric substance akin to life-force, psionic energy, or chemically bound elements like phosphorus or potassium (depending on the setting). It views intelligent life not as evil or good, but as fuel. However, its intelligence also craves understanding. Coeurls are fascinated by technology, language, and the minds of their prey. Some theorize that they were once pets or servants of a forgotten, advanced race—now predators shaped by long abandonment and hunger.
“It waits in silence not because it must, but because it wants you to wonder. It wants you to trust. And then it wants to feed.” —Anonymous survivor
Coeurl 5e
Coeurl, Pathfinder
Coeurl
Large aberration, chaotic neutral
Armor Class 18 (natural armor)
Hit Points 126 (12d10 + 60)
Speed 40 ft., climb 20 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 (+5) | 18 (+4) | 20 (+5) | 14 (+2) | 12 (+1) | 11 (+0) |
Saving Throws Dex +8, Con +9, Wis +5
Skills Stealth +9, Perception +5, Deception +4, Insight +5
Damage Resistances lightning, thunder
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 120 ft., blindsense 60 ft., passive Perception 15
Languages telepathy 120 ft.
Challenge 8 (3,900 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +3
Innate Psionics
The Coeurl can innately manipulate energy fields. It can cast the following spells without material components:
- At will: mage hand, thaumaturgy
- 3/day each: shatter (DC 15), entropic shield, detect thoughts
- 1/day: sympathetic vibration (as shatter, but deals 4d10 thunder damage; constructs have disadvantage on the save)
Vibration Manipulation
The Coeurl can interfere with nonmagical systems and mechanical devices. As a bonus action, it can do one of the following within 60 feet:
- Unlock or lock a nonmagical lock
- Disable a simple trap (DC 15)
- Cause a nonmagical machine to malfunction, imposing disadvantage on its next attack or action
Its attacks deal an additional 7 (2d6) thunder damage against constructs.
Blindsense
The Coeurl can sense the presence of creatures within 60 feet that are not behind total cover, even if it cannot see them. This sense is based on subtle vibrations.
Rusting Tentacles (Recharge 5–6)
The Coeurl targets up to two metal objects it can touch. Each object must succeed on a DC 17 Dexterity saving throw or take 11 (2d10) acid damage and begin to corrode. Corroded objects take the damage again at the end of the next turn unless repaired or removed.
Magical metal items must succeed on a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or become nonmagical until the end of the Coeurl’s next turn. Weapons and armor affected in this way lose their bonus or impose disadvantage temporarily.
Actions
Multiattack
The Coeurl makes two tentacle attacks. If both attacks hit the same target, it may use Rend as a bonus action.
Tentacle
Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target
Hit: 9 (1d10 + 4) slashing damage plus 7 (2d6) lightning damage.
If both tentacles hit the same creature in a turn, that creature must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or be stunned until the end of its next turn.
Claw
Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target
Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) slashing damage.
Bite
Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target
Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) piercing damage.
Rend
Bonus Action
If both tentacles hit the same target, the Coeurl may use this bonus action to rip into its prey.
Hit: 13 (3d6 + 3) slashing damage. The target must succeed on a DC 16 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone and disarmed of one metal item it is holding or wearing.
Tactical Traits
- Ambush Predator: The Coeurl prefers stalking prey from shadows, using blindsense to navigate total darkness or magical silence.
- Disruption First: It opens combat by casting shatter or using its vibration powers to disable gear or defenses.
- Gear Destroyer: It prioritizes enemies wearing or wielding metal equipment, using Rusting Tentacles to neutralize them.
- Intelligent Hunter: The Coeurl targets isolated or weaker creatures, using detect thoughts to identify fear or deception.
Lore
DC 17 Arcana or Nature check
Coeurls are alien predators that feed not on flesh, but on vital energy—be it psionic, chemical, or magical. Said to be relics of a forgotten civilization or beings from beyond the stars, they exhibit a cold, predatory intelligence masked by feline grace. Their ability to manipulate energy and disable machines has led scholars to speculate they once served as weapons or pets of an extinct high-tech race. Though solitary, they are supremely dangerous—silent, cunning, and relentless once on the hunt.
Coeurl
Powerfully corded muscles ripple beneath the ebon flesh of this strange, sleek feline. Similar in shape to an oversized panther, the lean beast’s forelegs stretch farther than those to the rear, each ending in powerful claws. Rather than ears, curling tendrils flit at the sides of its head. Most distinctive, though, are the twin tentacles rising from the beast’s shoulders, powerful appendages that slice through the air like living whips and terminate in clusters of thin spines.
Lean and deadly, the animalistic ppearance of the alien coeurls belies a keen Intelligence and the tempered patience of a masterful hunter. Although similar in form to a wiry jungle cat, coeurls’ forelegs are longer than their rear, giving the shadowy-skinned, hairless creatures a more elevated posture than a common feline. Rather than ears, bundles of wavering antennae extend from either side of their heads, delicate organs capable of detecting sounds and other, more enigmatic sensations. A coeurl’s most distinguishing trait is the pair of powerful black tentacles that extend from its shoulders, each ending in a cluster of flexible, barb-like digits capable of manipulating objects just as nimbly as a human hand.
A typical coeurl stands approximately 3-1/2 feet tall and about 8 feet long, with a densely muscled body weighing around 650 pounds.
| Coeurl CR 8 |
| XP 4,800 CN Large magical beast Init +4; Senses Blindsense 60 ft., Darkvision 60 ft., Low-Light Vision, Scent; Listen +4, Spot +4 |
| Defense |
| AC 19, touch 13, flat-footed 15 (+4 Dexterity, +6 natural, -1 size) hp 95 (10d10+40) Fort +11, Ref +11, Will +4 Immune sonic; Resist electricity 10; SR 19 |
| OFFENSE |
| Speed 40 ft. Melee 2 tentacles +15 (1d6+6) and 2 claws +10 (1d6+3) and bite +10 (1d8+3) Space 10 ft., Reach 10 ft. (15 ft. with tentacles) Special Attacks rend (2d6+9), rust Spell-Like Abilities (CL 12th) 3/day – entropic shield, mage hand, shatter (DC 13), sympathetic vibration |
| STATISTICS |
| Strength 22, Dexterity 19, Constitution 18, Intelligence 15, Wisdom 12, Charisma 12 Base Atk +10; Grapple +20 Feats Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack, Stealthy Skills Balance +9, Bluff +8, Disable Device +6, Hide +15, Listen +4, Move Silently +19, Open Lock +16, Spot +4, Survival +4, Tumble +11; Racial Modifiers +4 Bluff, +4 Disable Device, +8 Open Lock Languages telepathy 100 ft. SQ vibration manipulation |
| ECOLOGY |
| Environment any land Organization solitary Treasure standard Advancement 11-16 HD (Large), 17-22 HD (Huge) |
| SPECIAL ABILITIES |
| Blindsense (Ex) A coeurl can locate creatures within 60 feet by nonvisual means (mostly by noticing vibrations and other environmental clues). Opponents the coeurl can’t actually see still have total concealment against the coeurl. Rend (Ex)If a coeurl hits with both tentacle attacks, it latches onto the opponent’s body and tears the flesh. This attack automatically deals an additional 2d6+9 points A coeurl that holds its tentacle in contact with metal for a full minute causes the target metal to corrode, falling to pieces and becoming useless immediately. The touch can destroy two metal objects or up to a 10-foot-cube of metal per minute. Magic armor and weapons, and other magic items made of metal, must succeed on a DC 19 Reflex save or be dissolved. The save DC is Constitution-based. Vibration Manipulation (Ex)A coeurl can manipulate vibrations to disrupt the workings of machines and constructs. At will, a coeurl can lock or unlock any non-magical locking mechanisim within 15 feet. Once per round, it can also attempt a Disable Device check on any mechanical device within 15 feet. A coeurl always knows whether or not its Disable Device check has succeeded. In addition, a coeurl’s tentacle attacks deal an additional +2d6 points of sonic damage to constructs. None of this ability’s aspects function while a coeurl is within an area of magical silence. |
Coeurl is a fictional alien race of predators created by science fiction novelist A. E. van Vogt and featured in his first published short story “Black Destroyer” (1939), later incorporated in the novel The Voyage of the Space Beagle (1950). Its resemblance is comparable to a large cat, except that its forelegs are twice as long as its hind legs, and it possesses tentacles (most likely two) attached to its shoulders which terminate in suction cups. Its skin coloration is not mentioned but, in addition to the story title, is also depicted as black in the cover art for the original magazine appearance. It sustains itself by feeding upon a substance it calls the Id of other beings.
It appears indifferent to environment and can survive in different atmospheres. It also has the ability to manipulate EM radiation (referred to as “electric vibrations” in the story) at will, and seems to communicate via this method.
In “Black Destroyer”, a sentient creature that calls itself Coeurl lives on an alien planet, feeding on the “id” of local creatures. When a human starship arrives on the planet, they find Coeurl but assume it is an unintelligent animal, and even allow it to come onboard. Coeurl realizes it can feed on humans but plays along in order to learn more about them and their ship. Eventually however, it gives in to hunger and kills and feeds on one of the ship’s crew.
The crew suspects the Coeurl did it, and tries to prove it by feeding the creature organically-bound phosphorus similar to that in the victim’s bones, but Coeurl is smart enough to pass the test. Eventually however, it is found out and tries to escape, but it is no match for the humans’ technology, and in the end commits suicide.
When “Black Destroyer” was incorporated into The Voyage of the Space Beagle, several changes were made in Coeurl’s anatomy and physiology– for example, Coeurl’s tentacles originally ended in tentacled fingers, but were changed in the novel to suction cups, and the dietary chemical was changed from phosphorus to potassium. In the novel, it is theorized that the members of Coeurl’s race were pets or servants of the original inhabitants of the planet.