Catscratch

Huge aberration, chaotic evil

Armor Class 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points 76 (8d12 + 24)
Speed 30 ft., climb 15 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)

SPECIAL TRAITS

• Keen Smell. The catscratch has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
• Nine Lives (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest). When the catscratch would be reduced to 0 hp, it instead drops to 9 hp.
• 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 forced 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: 9 (1d10 + 4) piercing damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1 hour. A felid or feline humanoid that fails this saving throw contracts catscratch fugue (see sidebar).
• Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d4 + 4) 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. A felid or feline humanoid that fails this saving throw contracts catscratch fugue (see sidebar).

ABOUT

This large sheepdog has luxuriant white-gold fur.

A pair of broad wings stretches out from the creature’s back, and its eyes are filled with an intelligent, silvery gleam. The small cat emits a horrific yowl as its body begins to bulge and swell. Within moments, a massive, veined humanoid covered in patches of fur stands in the cat’s place, casting a mad gaze.

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. An infected cat doesn’t transform until it becomes angry, leaving many communities unaware of the disease until it is too late. Once a cat is sufficiently upset, it swells to a massive size, turning into a catscratch intent on destroying everything in sight.

Catscratch Fugue

Catscratch fugue is a bacterial infection that only affects felids and feline humanoids. This infectious organism is carried by debris falling into the Material Plane from the Void and is transmitted either through contact with the crash site or by being bitten by a carrier. Upon contact, the target must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or become infected. Once the host is infected, catscratch fugue incubates inside it for 3 days. During this window, the victim’s skin itches, and they are prone to violent mood swings. At the end of each long rest, the infected creature can repeat the saving throw, recovering from the disease on a success. A lesser restoration spell cast during the incubation time cures the disease. After the third day, if the infection is still present, any negative emotion causes the victim to transform into a monstrous catscratch intent on destroying everything around it. Only a wish spell can cure a catscratch once it has transformed.