And this week it’s finally time for the 4th and last Christmas Creature. This time its one you may all have heard of, as it’s a popular tale: The Yule Cat.
This feline beast is enormous, its long sinewy body stretching further than any cat should be allowed. Its green eyes stare out above a cavernous mouth, filled with teeth, while razor-sharp claws continuously sheathe and unsheathe.
YULE CAT CR 10
XP 9,600
CE Gargantuan magical beast
Init +10; Senses low-light vision; Perception +18
DEFENSE
AC 20, touch 12, flat-footed 14 (+6 Dexterity, +8 natural armor, -4 size)
hp 175 (13d10+104); fast healing 5
Fort +16, Ref +14, Will +9
Immune cold
OFFENSE
Speed 60 ft.
Melee 2 claws +25 (2d6+12/19-20), bite +20 (2d8+12 plus grab)
Space 20 ft.; Reach 15 ft.
Special Attacks grab, rend, pounce, rake (2 claws +25, 2d6+12/19-20), swallow whole (5d6 acid damage, AC 16, 13 hp)
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 1st; concentration +1)
At will—detect magic (continuous)
STATISTICS
Str 34, Dex 23, Con 26, Int 5, Wis 20, Cha 11
Base Atk +13; CMB +29; CMD 35 (+8 vs. trip)
Feats Alertness, Awesome Blow, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Critical (claw), Improved Initiative, Power Attack, Stealthy
Skills Perception +18, Stealth +23; Racial Modifiers +4 Stealth (included already)
Languages Sylvan
SQ creature of hunger
ECOLOGY
Environment any cold
Organization solitary
Treasure none
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Creature of Hunger (Ex)
The Yule Cat does not have a limit on the number of creatures that it can swallow whole in any given combat. Further, it can swallow creatures up to size Huge as it distends its jaws and gulps down its prey.
The Yule Cat is a ferocious beast, said to devour those who have not received new clothing for the holidays. In reality, it is far worse, as it ignores anyone wearing magical armor, clothes or robes (i.e. anything that can reasonably be said to be clothing) and attacking everyone else. The reason for this is fairly simple: While the Yule Cat is stupid, it knows that it cannot devour magical items. – It will however devour ANYTHING else that it finds.
As far as anyone knows, there is only one Yule Cat, and only Frau Perchta (see week 2s article on her) has managed to tame the Yule Cat. But every time it has been killed, a new one has appeared, leading some to suspect that either the creature has had a litter at some point (or a mate) or it is resurrected every time.
I hope you’ve all enjoyed these Christmas Creatures. 😊 Enjoy the holiday season. 😊
Kim Frandsen
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