Sandbox Encounters: Fyrcat...

Good Afternoon, All:

For my next post in the A-Z Challenge, I will be posting a Sandbox Encounter focused on a feline predator with a frightful presence. F is for Fyrcat.

Fyrcat

Brief Description: The adult fyrcat is a man-sized feline predator with an innate supernatural ability to cause fear and inspire terror. The alpha male that leads a pride is often significantly larger than the others. Fierce beasts, fyrcats are sometimes raised in captivity for use in great battles, where their frightful presence can demoralize soldiers and open enemy lines to attack.

Encounter Groups: These are common encounter groups for this type of encounter.

• Novice (levels 1-3): 4 Fyrcat Cubs, 1 Fyrcat. 2d6x5 silver shillings, basic mundane equipment on the corpses of previous victims.


• Seasoned (levels 4-6): 8 Fyrcat Cubs, 2 Fyrcats, 1 Alpha Male Fyrcat. 3d6x10 silver shillings, basic mundane equipment on the corpses of previous victims.


• Veteran (levels 7-10): 16 Fyrcat Cubs, 6 Fyrcat, 1 Alpha Male Fyrcat. 4d6x20 silver shillings, basic mundane equipment on the corpses of previous victims.

Stat Blocks: The following stats are provided as examples for inspiration. Please adjust as needed to fit your preferred gaming system and style.

• Fyrcat Cub: AC 8 [11]; HD 1; Atk: bite (1d4); ST: 17; SP: fearful stun (adjacent target becomes stunned for one round out of fear; save negates); MV: 15; CL 2; XP 30.


• Fyrcat: AC 7 [12]; HD 3; Atk: bite (1d6); ST: 14; SP: cause fear (60 ft cone; target flees in fear, 60% chance of dropping what they're holding; save negates); MV: 18; CL 4; XP 120.


• Alpha Male Fyrcat: AC 5 [14]; HD 6; Atk: bite (1d8); ST: 11; SP: cause fear (60 ft cone; target flees in fear, 60% chance of dropping what they're holding; save negates); MV: 18; CL 8; XP 800.

Encounter Ideas: Here are six different scenarios related to this encounter type.

1. The pride of fyrcats are returning to their lair after an unsuccessful hunt.


2. The pride of fyrcats are patrolling the region, defending their territory from intruders.


3. The pride of fyrcats are chasing a small band of ragged humanoids.


4. The pride of fyrcats have cornered or surrounded a wounded herbivore, which is now defending itself desperately.


5. The pride of fyrcats are sleeping after a successful hunt, and do not take kindly to being interrupted.


6. The fyrcats are actually of two different prides, and are confronting one another over their territory when the party comes upon the scene.

Enjoy,
Flynn