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Nightcats:Bestiary

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Nightcats
Nightcats


Bestiary of Jhelum

The lands beyond the walls of the great cities are teem with an abundance of life: some beautiful, some terrible, some fearsome beyond all imagining.

How to Use These Creatures

Stat Meaning
Strength Power and force
Agility Speed and stealth
Mind Instinct or cunning
Lifeblood Staying power
Protection Natural armor
Damage Harm inflicted
Traits Short mechanical rules

Apex Predators

Tiger
The jungle chooses

A tiger does not hunt loudly. It watches, chooses, and ends the matter.


Strength 3
Agility 3
Mind 1
Lifeblood 18
Protection 1
Damage 1d6H
Traits Ambush: Gains 1 Bonus Die when attacking unseen.

Pounce: Knocks down or pins a target on a surprise hit.

Variants

  • Leopard / Black Panther — Lifeblood 12, Agility 4.
  • Man-Eater — Gains 1 Bonus Die vs humans.
  • Old Tiger — Mind 2.
  • Ash Tiger — Burning Wounds; Fearless.

River Predators

Crocodile
The river takes

The water does not warn you. It opens.

Strength 4
Agility 1
Mind 0
Lifeblood 18
Protection 2
Damage 1d6H
Traits Ambush: Gains 1 Bonus Die when striking unseen from water.

Death Roll: Inflicts extra harm against grappled prey in water.

Variants

  • Gharial — Strength 3, Agility 2, Damage 1d6; Bonus Die to snatch small prey.
  • Giant Crocodile — Strength 5, Lifeblood 22, Protection 3.
  • Temple Crocodile — Mind 1.

Pack Hunters and Scavengers

Jackal
The edge of hunger

Jackals live where death is near.

Strength 1
Agility 2
Mind 0
Lifeblood 7
Protection 0
Damage 1d6L
Traits Pack: Gains 1 Bonus Die when attacking with allies.

Scavenger: Gains 1 Bonus Die to detect weakness or isolation.

Variants

  • Dhole — Lifeblood 8; Pack always active.
  • Wolf — Strength 2, Lifeblood 9.
  • Hyena — Strength 2, Lifeblood 10, Protection 1; ignores 1 Protection.

Jungle Dangers

Python
A branch that tightens

Most who die to a python never knew it was there.

Strength 3
Agility 1
Mind 0
Lifeblood 16
Protection 1
Damage 1d6
Traits Grapple: Seizes a target on a hit.

Constrict: Inflicts damage each round while holding a victim.

Variants

  • Tree Python — Agility 2; Bonus Die from above.
  • River Python — Protection 2.
  • Giant Python (40 ft) — Strength 4, Lifeblood 20, Protection 2.
  • Swallower Python — If a victim is helpless, may consume them whole over several rounds.
Sloth Bear
Strength 3
Agility 1
Mind 0
Lifeblood 13
Protection 1
Damage 1d6
Traits Frenzy: Gains 1 Bonus Die after taking a wound.

Maul: Inflicts extra harm to prone targets.

The Green That Hungers

Strangler Vines
Strength 3
Agility 0
Mind 0
Lifeblood 15
Protection 1
Damage 1d6
Traits Immobilize: Prevents movement until freed.

Constrict: Inflicts damage each round while trapped.

Giant Jawed Plant
A mouth that waits

It does not move. It does not chase.

It waits for something to step too close.

Strength 4
Agility 0
Mind 0
Lifeblood 18
Protection 2
Damage 1d6H
Traits Snap Trap: Strikes with 1 Bonus Die when triggered.

Digest: Inflicts damage each round on trapped victims.

Devils Pitcher
Strength 2
Agility 0
Mind 0
Lifeblood 10
Protection 1
Damage 1d6
Traits Trap: Requires a test to escape once inside.

Dissolving Sap: Inflicts damage each round while trapped.

Needle Thorn Creepers
Strength 1
Agility 0
Mind 0
Lifeblood 8
Protection 0
Damage 1d6L
Traits Needle Thorns: Inflicts damage on contact.

Fever: Causes sickness if untreated.

Poison Puffball
Strength 0
Agility 0
Mind 0
Lifeblood 6
Protection 0
Damage 1d6L
Traits Spore Cloud: Imposes 1 Penalty Die in area.

Poison: Causes collapse with exposure.

Jungle Horrors

Giant Spider
Strength 2
Agility 3
Mind 0
Lifeblood 10
Protection 1
Damage 1d6
Traits Web: Restrains targets until cut free.

Venom: Forces a test or weakens the victim.

Vampire Bat Swarm
Strength 1
Agility 3
Mind 0
Lifeblood 10
Protection 0
Damage 1d6L
Traits Swarm: Suffers 1 Penalty Die vs brute attacks.

Drain: Inflicts extra Lifeblood loss.

Giant Centipede
Strength 2
Agility 2
Mind 0
Lifeblood 9
Protection 1
Damage 1d6
Traits Venom: Forces a test or causes severe weakness.

Horror: Imposes 1 Penalty Die from revulsion.