Hellcat

**Hellcats**, were feline hunters that stalked Hell. They obeyed the whims of their masters but were notoriously independent, willing to change loyalties within an instant.

## Description

While some hellcats had the forms of lions, others appeared to be tiger-sized domestic cats. Their size ranged between 6‒9 ft long and they often weighed 900 pounds. Hellcats were invisible in the presence of light and moved with silent grace. In total darkness however, they could be seen as a faint, wraith-like outlines with bodies seemingly composed of bright light and flickers of fire. They could only be seen from 30 ft away, or 60 ft away if their viewer had low-light vision, when under darkness. Magical darkness on the other hand concealed them by smothering their light in shadows. Just like their fangs, their malevolent eyes glowed crimson, and it was rumored that one could see the fires of Hell if one looked far back enough into them.

## Personality

Hellcats lacked all the charm associated with felines but had an abundance of their more infuriating traits, the most dangerous of which being their capriciousness. While they would serve under other beings, protecting them and helping them commit wicked acts, they were completely independent at heart and willing to drop all allegiances to their current masters the moment one judged to be superior made themselves apparent. They would attack old masters without complaint and betray their new lords as easily as their last ones.

## Abilities

Invisible when under any kind of light, Hellcats were only visible in total, non-magical darkness. Despite their incorporeal appearance, it was possible to make physical contact with a hellcat and they themselves fought with tooth and claw. They were resistant to magic and enchanted weapons, although they could be hurt normally using holy water or bless spells, and could be kept at bay by firmly displaying holy items. The feline independence of a Hellcat was so powerful as to be supernatural, protecting them from all mind-affecting magic.

## Combat

Hellcats moved about in virtual silence, constantly on the prowl for any opportunity to do evil. In battle they normally pounced upon their enemies, although they enjoyed outwitting their opponents rather than using brute force, such as through ambushes. Beings of evil alignment were either left alone or scouted as potential masters, while those of good alignments were to be immediately killed.

## Ecology

Hellcats possessed a unique sense that allowed them to sense how powerful an individual was, letting them scout the power of potential masters before telepathically offering their aid. Despite their capricious behavior, compelling a hellcat to betray their master was incredibly difficult. Outside of introducing a superior power of lawful evil, one could simply wait until the bond broke naturally. A Hellcat remained on the Physical Realm only for a year and a day, before returning to the Hell in the place they were first spawned. They returned upon midnight on the last day and knew the exact time they would be sent back, allowing them to plan with their masters accordingly. While they could return to the Physical Realm after two weeks, they did not always reappear where they left and their bond with their previous master was not automatically restored, forcing one to reacquire their services.

## Capabilities

**Feline Physiology:** Hellcats possess the traits, attributes, characteristics and abilities of felines, from domesticated, to wild, to big cats etc. They achieve this either through full or partial transformation into felines, choosing to mimic certain aspects of them, or simply already being a feline in the first place.

**Fire Aura:** Hellcats can release and surround themselves in fire for defensive and offensive purposes, possibly becoming almost untouchable and granting them various abilities.

**Spiritual Awareness:** Hellcats possess a heightened awareness to the paranormal, allowing such feats as being able to see or sense entities, such as spirits, ghosts, angels, and demons, that are normally invisible to humans.