Catterball

Small fey, chaotic neutral

Armor Class 13
Hit Points 44 (8d6 + 16)
Speed 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
8 (–1)	17 (+3)	14 (+2)	5 (–3)	12 (+1)	15 (+2)

Skills Athletics +1, Stealth +5
Damage Vulnerabilities acid
Damage Immunities bludgeoning, poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses blindsight 30 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages Sylvan
Challenge 1 (200 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +2

SPECIAL TRAITS

• Rubbery Flesh. The catterball is immune to any spell or effect that would alter its form, and it has advantage on ability checks and saving throws made to escape a grapple. In addition, it can move through a space as narrow as 1 inch wide without squeezing.
• Standing Leap (Ball Form Only). The catterball’s long jump is up to 60 feet and its high jump is up to 30 feet, with or without a running start.

ACTIONS

• Slam (Extended or True Form Only). Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) bludgeoning damage.
• Snap Back (Extended Form Only). The catterball violently returns to its true form. Each creature within 5 feet of the catterball must make a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw. On a failure, a creature takes 4 (1d8) thunder damage, or 9 (2d8) if the catterball has extended its reach to 15 feet, and is deafened for 1 minute. On a success, a creature takes half the damage and isn’t deafened. A deafened creature can make a DC 12 Constitution saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

BONUS ACTIONS

• Change Form. The catterball can extend its body, roll up into a ball, or return to its true form. Each time it extends its body, its reach with its slam attack increases by 5 feet, to a maximum of 15 feet, and its Armor Class decreases by 1.

ABOUT

This hairless cat moves its front legs forward, stretching its body impossibly long, then retracts its body, allowing its hind legs to catch up in its lopsided gait. The feline wears a constant, toothy grin. Mischievous catterballs exploit their malleability to reach otherwise inaccessible places where they can unleash pandemonium.

Fey Pets. Fey legends universally point to forgotten nobles who created the creatures to entertain their children. As is the manner of children, fey or otherwise, unruly and destructive behavior elicited the best response in laughter and cries of “Do it again!” After several destructive accidents, the fey realized they needed to rid themselves of the creatures. Unable, and in some cases unwilling, to destroy the catterballs, the fey decided to lead the naughty creatures out of their homelands.

Strange Diet. A catterball enjoys rancid food, such as rotten fish and curdled milk. An offering of such fare keeps the creature away from the location where it received the food. Fresh food and drink offend a catterball, which redoubles its pranks against the offender.

Ratcatchers. Catterballs aren’t true felines, but they despise rats. Catterballs ignore whatever has their attention in favor of chasing and killing rats. Some communities tolerate the catterballs’ hijinks because the creatures are efficient rat slayers.

Familiar

Some catterballs are willing to serve spellcasters, especially those who enjoy mayhem. Such catterballs have the following trait.

Familiar. The catterball can serve another creature as a familiar, forming a magic, telepathic bond with that willing companion. While the two are bonded, the companion can sense what the catterball senses as long as they are within 1 mile of each other. While the catterball is within 10 feet of its companion, the companion increases its reach by 5 feet. At any time and for any reason, the catterball can end its service as a familiar, ending the telepathic bond.