Wampus Cats, Greater Independent Race
Throughout the Appalachian region of the American Southeast, the chilling shrieks, of the Wampus Cat may be heard in the night. Bloodthirsty monstrosities, they seemed filled with a palpable anger and hatred. Wampus Cats are known to mutilate and butcher entire herds of livestock, not to sate any sort of hunger, but for the utter pleasure of it. Folklore says Wampus Cats were once witches, but were cursed with an unholy, bestial form as punishment for pursuing secrets no woman should know.
Few that have come face-to-face with a Wampus Cat, however, would harbor any idea the monsters could have been once human. From a distance, they are mistaken from misshapen kangaroos, or overly large, grotesque monkeys (which lens the Wampus Cat its other nickname, the Devil Monkey). Up close, one can see the horrid truth. The head is something like that of a feline, holding baleful red eyes, and slavering jaws. The body is vaguely anthropoid, and covered in layers of thick, glossy fur. Beneath the layers, something mockingly like that of the human female form is hinted at. The Wampus Cat carries a bushy-tail behind its body, which constantly swishes angrily. While the monster can walk upright, it prefers to make astonishing leaps using its hind-legs. Both forepaws and hind legs conceal claws that could easily eviscerate a man. The monster is followed by a repugnant odor, a noxious mix of sulfur, and an animal in heat. Like the witches of folklore, Wampus Cats hunt in packs of three. A Cat will never be alone, her companions always watching nearby.
Because of folklore, and their vaguely female forms, it is rumored every Wampus Cat is female. How they procreate is a mystery; those locals in areas menaced by Wampus Cats will only mention, which a shudder, men disappearing in the woods, and hearing very satisfied screams of the Cats later in the night.
Wampus Cats, the Devil Monkeys
Char. – rolls – avg.
STR – 3d6+6 – 16-17
CON – 3d6 – 10-11
SIZ – 2d6+6 – 13
INT – 3d6 – 10-11
POW – 3d6 – 10-11
DEX – 2d6+12 – 19
Mov 7/20 leaping – HP 12
Av. Damage Bonus: +1d4
Weapons:
Bite 35%, damage 1d10
Claws 45%, damage 1d6 + db
Kick 45%, damage 2d6 + db
Pounce 55%, damage grapple.
The round after pouncing a Wampus Cat may make
two attacks, eitherclawing, kicking, or biting otherwise
it can only bite, claw, or kick once per turn.
Armor: 2 points thick fur.
Spells: A Wampus Cat with INT of 13+ will know 1d6 spells.
Skills: Hide 45%, Stalk 90%, Terrifying Screams 90%
Sanity Loss: 1/1d10 to see a Wampus Cat.
Bruce is a sociology student and co-host of The Crypt Keepers podcast
