Buy me a coffeeWampus cat, “The Phantom Stalker of the Appalachians”
“Majestic and Mysterious: Encounter the Wampus Cat, a Supernatural Spectacle of Stealth and Fright in the Heart of the Enchanted Forest!”
The Wampus Cat is a creature of breathtaking majesty and dread. Its sleek, midnight-black fur shimmers faintly under moonlight, appearing almost liquid as it ripples with each movement. Standing nearly five feet tall at the shoulder and spanning over nine feet from nose to tail, its muscular frame exudes raw power. Its piercing yellow eyes glow with an inner fire, burning with intelligence and menace. Long, razor-sharp claws extend from its massive paws, and its fangs, curved like scimitars, flash with predatory intent. An aura of otherworldly energy seems to surround it, occasionally manifesting as faint wisps of shadow curling around its form.
Behaviour
The Wampus Cat is a solitary and elusive predator, embodying stealth and cunning. Preferring the cover of darkness, it moves with ghostly silence, blending seamlessly into the forest shadows. It is both a hunter and a guardian, fiercely territorial and protective of its domain. Though it avoids unnecessary confrontation, it becomes a relentless foe when provoked. Its cunning nature is matched by a supernatural intelligence; it observes intruders from a distance, striking only when the moment is most opportune. The Wampus Cat is known for playing psychological games, using its Terrifying Presence and eerie roars to unsettle and disorient prey or enemies.
Habitat
The Wampus Cat prowls the dense, ancient forests of the Appalachian Mountains, where towering trees and deep, mist-shrouded ravines provide ample cover. Its preferred habitat is remote and untouched by human hands, often near sources of freshwater such as hidden streams or moonlit lakes. The area around its lair is unnervingly quiet, as even the local wildlife senses its dominance and avoids the vicinity. Strange phenomena, like shifting shadows or inexplicable cold spots, often accompany its presence, lending an air of supernatural unease to its surroundings.
Modus Operandi
The Wampus Cat hunts with unparalleled patience and precision. It begins by stalking its prey silently, using its keen sense of smell and sharp hearing to track targets over vast distances. When it strikes, it employs a combination of brute strength and psychological warfare. The Wampus Cat often disorients its prey with its fear-inducing roars or by manipulating shadows to create phantom forms. Once its target is sufficiently panicked or cornered, it delivers a flurry of lethal strikes with its claws and fangs, aiming to incapacitate quickly. It rarely leaves traces of its presence, disappearing back into the shadows with ghostly efficiency.
Motivation
The Wampus Cat is driven by primal and mystical forces. At its core, it is a guardian of the natural order, punishing those who trespass or harm the wilderness it calls home. Some legends suggest it is a cursed being, once human but transformed by powerful magic as punishment for betrayal or greed. Others claim it is a spirit of vengeance, bound to protect sacred lands or enact retribution on those who disturb the balance of nature. Despite its fearsome reputation, it does not kill indiscriminately; its actions are deliberate and often tied to a greater purpose, such as defending its territory or preserving the sanctity of the forest.
Wampus Cat 5e
Wampus Cat Pathfinder
Wampus Cat
The Wampus Cat, a spectral enigma of the wilderness, stalks the shadows with a mysterious blend of feline grace and supernatural power.
Large monstrosity, neutral
Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points 84 (8d10 + 40)
Speed 40 ft., climb 20 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 (+4) | 16 (+3) | 20 (+5) | 10 (+0) | 14 (+2) | 12 (+1) |
Skills Perception +5, Stealth +6
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 15
Languages —
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Keen Smell. It has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Pounce. If the wampus cat moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature and then hits it with a claw attack on the same turn, that target must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Multiattack. It makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws.
- Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (1d10 + 4) piercing damage.
- Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d8 + 4) slashing damage.
- Terrifying Presence. Each creature of the wampus cat’s choice that is within 30 feet of it and aware of it must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature’s saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the wampus cat’s Terrifying Presence for the next 24 hours.
Actions
Frightful Roar (Recharge 5-6). It emits a terrifying roar. Each creature within 30 feet of the wampus cat that can hear it must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
Legendary Actions
It can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. The wampus cat regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
- Move. The cat moves up to its speed without provoking opportunity attacks.
- Claw Attack. The cat makes one claw attack.
- Terrifying Gaze (Costs 2 Actions). The cat fixes its gaze on a creature it can see within 30 feet of it. If the target can see the wampus cat, it must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. The frightened target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
Regional Effects
The presence of a wampus cat creates an eerie atmosphere in the surrounding area. The woods become still and silent, and strange shadows dance in the moonlight. Creatures native to the region that are hostile to the wampus cat gain advantage on attack rolls and saving throws against effects created by the wampus cat.
Lair Actions
On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the wampus cat takes a lair action to cause one of the following effects:
- The wampus cat releases a bone-chilling roar. Each creature within 120 feet that can hear the roar must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
- The shadows in the area become animated, creating illusions of ghostly forms. The wampus cat and creatures it chooses within its lair have advantage on Stealth checks for the next minute.
Wampus Cat
CR 8
XP 4,800
N Large Magical Beast
Init +7; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, scent; Perception +15
Defense
AC 21, touch 12, flat-footed 18 (+3 Dex, +9 natural, -1 size)
hp 102 (12d10+36)
Fort +11, Ref +11, Will +6
Defensive Abilities uncanny agility (cannot be flanked); DR 5/magic
Offense
Speed 40 ft., climb 20 ft.
Melee bite +14 (1d8+6), 2 claws +14 (1d6+6/19-20)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks pounce, terrifying roar, rake (2 claws, 1d6+6)
Statistics
Str 22, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 6, Wis 14, Cha 12
Base Atk +12; CMB +17 (+21 grapple); CMD 30 (34 vs. trip)
Feats Improved Initiative, Weapon Focus (claw), Improved Critical (claw), Skill Focus (Stealth), Power Attack, Combat Reflexes
Skills Acrobatics +15, Climb +15, Perception +15, Stealth +14 (+22 in forests), Survival +10
Languages —
Special Abilities
Keen Smell (Ex)
The Wampus Cat has advantage on Perception checks involving scent.
Pounce (Ex)
When the Wampus Cat charges a foe, it can make a full attack, including two rake attacks with its hind legs.
Rake (Ex)
The Wampus Cat gains two additional claw attacks against a grappled foe with its hind legs, dealing 1d6+6 damage each.
Terrifying Roar (Su) (1/day)
As a standard action, the Wampus Cat unleashes a supernatural roar. All creatures within a 60-foot radius must make a DC 18 Will save or become frightened for 1d6 rounds. A creature that successfully saves is shaken for 1 round. This is a mind-affecting fear effect.
Shadow Stalker (Su)
The Wampus Cat can step between shadows as if using dimension door (CL 8th), moving up to 60 feet. It can use this ability three times per day, but only within areas of dim light or darkness.
Illusory Presence (Su)
As a free action, the Wampus Cat can create minor illusions around itself, causing its form to shimmer or flicker in and out of sight. This grants it a 20% miss chance, as if it were affected by blur.
Terrifying Gaze (Su)
As a swift action, the Wampus Cat can fix its glowing yellow eyes on a single creature within 30 feet. The target must succeed on a DC 18 Will save or be paralyzed with fear for 1d4 rounds. This is a mind-affecting fear effect.
Tactics
- Before Combat: The Wampus Cat prefers to stalk its prey from the shadows, using its Stealth skill to remain undetected while gauging the threat level of potential intruders.
- During Combat: It opens with Terrifying Roar to sow panic among its enemies, targeting stragglers or weaker foes first.
- Melee Tactics: It charges into combat using Pounce, maximizing its damage with full attacks and rakes. Against heavily armored foes, it uses Power Attack to increase damage output.
- Mobility: When outnumbered, the Wampus Cat relies on Shadow Stalker to reposition, moving behind cover or to higher vantage points.
- Special Actions: It uses Terrifying Gaze to paralyze dangerous opponents, ensuring they remain vulnerable to its attacks.
Ecology
Environment temperate forests, mountainous regions
Organization solitary
Treasure standard
The Wampus Cat is a mysterious predator, believed to be a guardian of ancient, untouched wildernesses. Its lair is often hidden deep within the forest, marked by eerie silence and strange, shifting shadows. Stories of its attacks vary, but all share one common thread: once the Wampus Cat marks you as its quarry, escape is nearly impossible.
Its blend of physical prowess, supernatural abilities, and cunning tactics make the Wampus Cat a deadly and memorable opponent, perfect for testing even seasoned adventurers.