Tomb Cat

Tiny undead, lawful neutral

Armor Class 12
Hit Points 2 (1d4)
Speed 40 ft., climb 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
3 (-4)	15 (+2)	10 (+0)	3 (-4)	12 (+1)	7 (-2)

Skills Perception +3, Stealth +4
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13
Challenge 0 (10 XP)

SPECIAL TRAITS

• Sense Undead. The tomb cat knows if there is an undead within 100 feet of it, as well as the creature’s location. This sense penetrates most barriers, but is blocked by 1 inch of common metal or a thin sheet of lead.
• Tomb Guardian. While the tomb cat is within 100 feet of its companion, its companion shares its darkvision and sense undead characteristics.
• Speak with Undead. The tomb cat may form a telepathic link to undead that knew at least one language in life but cannot speak, allowing them to speak through the cat. Their words are usually brief, cryptic, or repetitive, and the undead is under no compulsion to speak truthfully if you are hostile to it or it recognizes you as an enemy.

ACTIONS

• Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +0 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1 slashing damage.
• Ancient Ward. One willing creature the cat touches is protected against its choice of one type of creature: celestials, elementals, fey, or undead. The protection grants several benefits. Creatures of those types have disadvantage on attack rolls against the target. The target also can’t be charmed, frightened, or possessed by them. If the target is already charmed, frightened, or possessed by such a creature, the target has advantage on any new saving throw against the relevant effect.

ABOUT

Deep in lost deserts and forgotten temples, the tombs of the lich-kings are watched over by tomb cats, preserved eternal guardians. Ceremonial bandages and golden ornamentation drape the bodies of these undead felines, reflecting their sacred status in the cults of the dead. Beneath their loose wrappings, hieroglyphs of ancient necromancy shine and fade, carved into their very flesh. The eyes of a tomb cat reflect a cold light, wisps of smoke curling and dissipating around them.

Tombwatcher. Tomb cats have a unique bond with death, granting them access to powers beyond. Tomb cats naturally sense, speak to, and protect against undead, making them uniquely suited to their role as wardens of the most sacred tombs. Created not only as guardians, these cats are often tasked with guiding lich-kings into their new undeath. Tomb cats are able to share many of their gifts with those to whom they are bound, and eventually their master’s eyes share the cat’s cold gleam. Tomb raiders will often bring offerings for tombcats, hoping to gain their favor and use their gifts to navigate the endless maze of buried tombs lost beneath the sand.