Hunter in shadow. Wanderer in dream. Watcher beneath the moon.
Hit Dice: 1d4
Maximum Level: 9
Armor: None (see below)
Weapons: Claws, small melee weapons (see below).
Languages: Alignment, Dreamspeech, Feline, Moonspeech.
A moon prowler is no ordinary feline. Sleek and clever, with eyes like twin moons and a mind sharp as a knife’s edge, she prowls the Dreamlands with an ease no human could match. She speaks in purrs and riddles, slips through shadows like silk, and leaps across rooftops as though gravity were an optional courtesy. She is feared and respected by all, for the law of the Dreamlands is clear: no man may kill a cat.
Prime requisite: A moon prowler with at least 13 DEX gains a 5% bonus to experience. If DEX is 16 or higher, the moon prowler gets a +10% bonus.
Combat
A moon prowler cannot wear armor of any kind. However, her uncanny agility grants her a base AC 7 (modified further by DEX). She prefers to fight with her claws (1d3 damage), but may use melee weapons suited to her size (referee’s discretion).
Feline Advantages
A moon prowler can squeeze through any opening large enough for her head and balance on narrow surfaces (ledges, ropes) without requiring a check.
- 1st–4th level: Immune to normal falling damage from heights up to 20’.
- 5th–7th level: This increases to 30’.
- 8th–9th level: This increases to 40’.
Feline Curse
Anyone who kills a moon prowler is cursed.
- Immediately suffers a –4 penalty on all rolls made at night.
- Cats, whether ordinary or dream-born, are always hostile.
- Lasts until the killer dies or an appropriate penance is made (referee's discretion)
Feline Drawbacks
A moon prowler cannot carry heavy burdens. Beyond a dagger and a few small items, she refuses loads. She also loathes water, avoiding it unless magically compelled or under dire circumstances.
Keen Senses
Thanks to heightened hearing and smell, moon prowlers have a 2-in-6 chance to:
- Detect hidden or invisible creatures nearby.
- Notice unusual sounds, scents, or disturbances in their surroundings.
Moon Leap
When under moonlight, a moon prowler may leap up to 30’ horizontally or 15’ vertically. This ability may be used both in and out of combat.
Nine Lives
Once per day, a moon prowler may avoid the effects of a single attack, spell, trap, or other hazard that would otherwise kill her.
Silent Stalker
In dim light or darkness, a moon prowler surprises opponents on a 1–4 on 1d6. In full daylight, this only applies against distracted or unaware targets.
Moon Prowler Level Progression
Haruki Murakami would LOVE this class. I'm pretty sure I could write a module based only on The City of Cats.
ReplyDelete"Anyone who a moon prowler is cursed." - missing word.
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff, very flavorful and imaginative. It's hard to do animal characters, especially cats, without jumping headfirst off the cutesy cliff. I especially love playing with the interminable old school question of falling damage à la the old "cats always land on their feet" claim - the insanity of falling 40' with no damage makes perfect sense for an 8-11 lb. preternatural creature that has a 15' vertical leap!
ReplyDeleteThanks. This was an experiment, since, as you say, it's hard to avoid the "cutesy" angle. It probably helps that – with apologies to HPL – I don't actually like cats very much.
Delete"It probably helps that – with apologies to HPL – I don't actually like cats very much" - Ouch. In all these years of reading you, I've learned very little that might make me look askance. I'll try very hard not to hold this one against you. It won't be easy.
DeleteYou are most gracious to do so.
DeleteHey thanks for sharing I love it!!
ReplyDeleteAt last!
ReplyDeleteHave you seen John Wick’s “Cat” RPG? It probably veers too cutesy for you but is easily adapted to HPL’s mythos and I would argue has better dreaming/dreamland rules than CoC.
ReplyDeleteThe first edition is (barely) readable on Scribd (yuck), but has more evocative design and art than later editions, more like fairytale illustrations from the early 20th century.