Yule Cat (Jólakötturinn)
“Beware the terrifying Yule Cat—skip new clothes for Christmas, and it might just eat you!”

The Yule Cat (Jólakötturinn) is a massive, menacing creature from Icelandic folklore, with fur as dark as night and glowing yellow eyes that gleam with an eerie hunger. Its size is said to rival that of a house, with claws sharp enough to tear through flesh and a muscular frame capable of leaping great distances. Its appearance is both ominous and majestic, making it a creature of nightmares for those who are unprepared for its visit.
The Yule Cat’s behavior is rooted in the traditions of Icelandic Christmas lore along side Grýla. It prowls the countryside during the holiday season, its massive paws leaving deep prints in the snow. The cat is relentless, seeking out those who have not received new clothes for Christmas. It is not merely a passive creature—it actively hunts for the “lazy” or “unworthy” and is known to strike fear into the hearts of children and adults alike. Its mode of operation is a cruel one; it hunts anyone who has failed to work hard enough to earn the right to receive new garments, and in its anger, it devours them without mercy.
The Yule Cat’s habitat spans the cold, snowy Icelandic landscape, where it lurks in the shadows of homes, often waiting just beyond the reach of light. It is said to prefer remote farmhouses and areas with poor visibility, giving it a sinister, ghostly presence as it creeps through the darkness.
Its motivation is clear: to punish the lazy and reward the industrious. By terrifying people into working hard, the Yule Cat serves as a reminder of the importance of diligence, especially in the weeks leading up to Christmas when wool from the autumn harvest needed to be processed into clothing. Over time, the Yule Cat has become more of a symbolic figure of the holiday, but its roots in instilling fear and motivating hard work remain.
Yule Cat (Jólakötturinn) 5e
Yule Cat Pathfinder
Yule Cat

Huge beast, chaotic evil
Armor Class: 17 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points: 204 (16d12 + 96)
Speed: 50 ft., climb 30 ft.
STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
23 (+6) | 16 (+3) | 22 (+6) | 5 (-3) | 18 (+4) | 12 (+1) |
Saving Throws: Dex +7, Con +10, Wis +8
Skills: Perception +8, Stealth +7
Damage Resistances: Cold, Fire, Necrotic
Senses: Darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 18
Languages: Understands Common but cannot speak
Challenge Rating (CR): 13 (10,000 XP)
Traits
Keen Smell.
The Yule Cat has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Frightening Presence (Recharge 5-6).
As a bonus action, the Yule Cat can emit a terrifying, guttural growl or hiss, forcing all creatures within 30 feet of it to make a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A frightened creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
Snow Camouflage.
The Yule Cat has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide in snowy or icy environments.
Pounce.
If the Yule Cat moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature and hits it with a claw attack on the same turn, the target must succeed on a DC 18 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, the Yule Cat can make one bite attack against it as a bonus action.
Predator’s Hunger.
When the Yule Cat drops a creature to 0 hit points with a melee attack, it can immediately take a bonus action to make another attack with its claws or bite against a different creature within 5 feet of it.
Actions
Multiattack.
The Yule Cat makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws.
Bite.
Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 25 (3d10 + 6) piercing damage.
Claw.
Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 18 (2d10 + 6) slashing damage.
Howl of the Night (Recharge 6).
The Yule Cat emits a chilling, deep growl or hiss, amplifying the terror around it. All creatures within 60 feet of the Yule Cat must make a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or take 21 (6d6) necrotic damage, or half as much on a successful save. Creatures reduced to 0 hit points by this effect are paralyzed for 1 minute, their bodies frozen in place by the terrifying magic of the Yule Cat.
Claw of the Wicked Hunter (Recharge 5-6).
Once per day, the Yule Cat can perform a wicked swipe with its claws, using magic to drain the life force of those it strikes. If it hits with a claw attack, it can choose to heal for half the damage dealt to the target. This healing can exceed its maximum hit points.
Legendary Actions
The Yule Cat 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 Yule Cat regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
- Claw Attack. The Yule Cat makes one claw attack.
- Pounce (Costs 2 Actions). The Yule Cat can move up to half its speed and make a claw attack against a creature it moves within range of.
- Terrifying Hiss (Costs 3 Actions). The Yule Cat emits a spine-chilling hiss, causing creatures within 30 feet to make a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A frightened creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on a success.
Tactics
- Stealth & Ambush: The Yule Cat prefers to stalk its prey, hiding in the snow or darkness, and attacking with surprise. It uses Snow Camouflage and Keen Smell to remain hidden, ambushing those who have not properly prepared for the holiday season.
- Frightening Presence & Disruption: The Yule Cat uses its Frightening Presence early in combat to disrupt its enemies, causing them to panic. It often follows up with Howl of the Night to further scatter and frighten opponents.
- Predator’s Hunger: It focuses on weaker targets first, using Pounce to knock them prone and then utilizing Predator’s Hunger to immediately take another attack. This allows it to quickly drop opponents and keep up the pressure.
- Claw of the Wicked Hunter: The Yule Cat uses this attack only when its health begins to drop, as it uses the lifeforce it drains to stay in the fight longer. This ability also helps it recover from damage, making it a formidable opponent even as it weakens.
Motivation & Behavior
The Yule Cat’s primary motivation is to punish those who have not earned new clothes for the holiday, targeting the lazy or unprepared. It sees itself as an enforcer of the old ways, a terrifying force of nature that punishes those who fail to meet societal expectations. This mindset drives it to hunt relentlessly through snow-covered villages and dark forests, where it strikes fear into those who are unworthy in its eyes. It operates with an almost ritualistic ferocity, preying on the weak and ensuring that all who hear its growls or hisses remember its dark, punishing legacy.
Lair Actions (Optional)
If encountered within its lair, the Yule Cat can take lair actions to add to the terror:
- Winter’s Embrace (Initiative Count 20). The temperature in the area drops dramatically as snow and ice surge from the ground. All creatures within 60 feet of the Yule Cat must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or gain one level of exhaustion.
- Frozen Pathways (Initiative Count 20). Ice spreads across the ground in a 30-foot radius around the Yule Cat. All creatures within this area must succeed on a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw or fall prone as they slip on the icy surface.
- Echo of the Hunt (Initiative Count 20). The Yule Cat can release a terrifying growl that echoes through the land. All creatures within 120 feet of the cat must make a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened until the end of their next turn.
Yule Cat

This feline beast is enormous, its long sinewy body stretching further than any cat should be allowed. Its green eyes stare out above a cavernous mouth, filled with teeth, while razor-sharp claws continuously sheathe and unsheathe.
Source – d20radio.com Kim Frandsen
YULE CAT CR 10
XP 9,600
CE Gargantuan magical beast
Init +10; Senses low-light vision; Perception +18
DEFENSE
AC 20, touch 12, flat-footed 14 (+6 Dexterity, +8 natural armor, -4 size)
hp 175 (13d10+104); fast healing 5
Fort +16, Ref +14, Will +9
Immune cold
OFFENSE
Speed 60 ft.
Melee 2 claws +25 (2d6+12/19-20), bite +20 (2d8+12 plus grab)
Space 20 ft.; Reach 15 ft.
Special Attacks grab, rend, pounce, rake (2 claws +25, 2d6+12/19-20), swallow whole (5d6 acid damage, AC 16, 13 hp)
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 1st; concentration +1)
At will—detect magic (continuous)
STATISTICS
Str 34, Dex 23, Con 26, Int 5, Wis 20, Cha 11
Base Atk +13; CMB +29; CMD 35 (+8 vs. trip)
Feats Alertness, Awesome Blow, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Critical (claw), Improved Initiative, Power Attack, Stealthy
Skills Perception +18, Stealth +23; Racial Modifiers +4 Stealth (included already)
Languages Sylvan
SQ creature of hunger
ECOLOGY
Environment any cold
Organization solitary
Treasure none
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Creature of Hunger (Ex)
The Yule Cat does not have a limit on the number of creatures that it can swallow whole in any given combat. Further, it can swallow creatures up to size Huge as it distends its jaws and gulps down its prey.
The Yule Cat is a ferocious beast, said to devour those who have not received new clothing for the holidays. In reality, it is far worse, as it ignores anyone wearing magical armor, clothes or robes (i.e. anything that can reasonably be said to be clothing) and attacking everyone else. The reason for this is fairly simple: While the Yule Cat is stupid, it knows that it cannot devour magical items. – It will however devour ANYTHING else that it finds.
As far as anyone knows, there is only one Yule Cat, and only Frau Perchta has managed to tame the Yule Cat. But every time it has been killed, a new one has appeared, leading some to suspect that either the creature has had a litter at some point (or a mate) or it is resurrected every time.