Warlock’s Apprentice: Catscratch

The cat before you emits a horrific yowl as its body begins to bulge and swell. Within moments, a massive veined form covered in patches of fur casts a mad gaze upon you.

Not of This World. A catscratch comes from parts unknown. No one is quite sure of its source, but wherever domestic cats are found, these creatures appear. It is a hybrid monster, created when an aberrant virus infects a cat or cat-like humanoid.

Summoned by Rage. A community may not know a catscratch has affected their pets until it’s too late. An infected cat will not transform until it becomes angry. Once a cat is sufficiently upset, it immediately swells to a massive size, intent on destroying everything in sight.

Catscratch

Huge aberration, chaotic evil

Armor Class 13 (natural armor)

Hit Points 76 (8d12 + 24)

Speed 30 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 18 (+4) 14 (+2) 17 (+3) 3 (−4) 12 (+1) 8 (−1)

Damage Immunities poison

Condition Immunities poisoned

Skills Perception +3, Stealth +6

Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11

Languages —

Challenge 3 (700 XP)

Keen Smell. The catscratch has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.

Nine Lives. When the catscratch would be reduced to 0 hit points, it instead drops to 9 hit points. This feature can only be used once per encounter.

Pounce. If the catscratch 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 14 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, the catscratch can make one bite attack against it as a bonus action.

Actions

Multiattack. The catscratch makes one bite attack and one claw attack.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (1d10 + 5) piercing damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1 hour. Any felids or feline humanoids that fail this saving throw immediately contract catscratch fugue (see sidebar).

Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) slashing damage.

Vomit (Recharge 5–6). The catscratch vomits poisonous bile in a 15-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw, taking 10 (3d6) poison damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one. Any felids or feline humanoids that fail this saving throw immediately contract catscratch fugue (see sidebar).

Catscratch Fugue

Catscratch fugue is a bacterial infection that only affects felids and feline humanoids. This infectious organism is carried to earth by falling stars and transmitted either through contact with the crash site or by being bitten by a carrier.

Upon contact, the target must make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or become infected. Once infected, catscratch fugue incubates in the host for 3 days. During this window, the victim’s skin itches, and they will be prone to violent mood swings. At the end of each day, the infected can repeat the saving throw to see if they stave off the infection. A lesser restoration spell will also cure the disease in this incubation time.

After the 3-day window, if the infection is still present, any negative emotion will cause the victim to transform into a monstrous catscratch intent on destroying everything around it. There is no cure once the victim has transformed…

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