Hellcats

*Panthera infernus -* Hellcats

Hazard Class - 4.6

Rarity - 5

Vulnerability - Helsing Steel

Additional Warnings -  dispose of carcass properly

### General Description

Hellcats are jaguar-like creatures native to various non-earth realms, such as the Fae Wilds and the depths of Kek.  Hellcats range from the size of a cougar to the size of an elephant.  There are Four main breeds within the species, each with its own unique skills and weaknesses.

The Common Hellcat is, as the name implies, the most common type.  It is a big cat with up to six symmetrical horns protruding from its skull and glowing yellow eyes, fur ranging from blood red to charcoal grey.  They can raise their body temperature up to 500 degrees Celsius as a defensive measure, vaporizing their fur and causing their internal organs to glow and outline shadows of their skeleton.

The Micro Hellcat is the smallest breed of hellcat. Its build and appearance is similar to that of a Maine Coon, with the exception of small curled horns protruding from above their ears. Micro Hellcats are significantly smarter than the average housecat, with their intelligence nearly matching that of a human child. Micro Hellcats use this intelligence to cause mischief and inconveniences for any humanoid beings within its territory. Micro Hellcats live in packs of up to thirty, often in dense forests and populated areas of the Fae Wilds, or in dens near the warm volcanic pits of Kek.

The Frilled Hellcat is the rarest and most beautiful variety. The Frilled are noticeably lanky compared to other hellcats, with long limbs and very little mass beneath their feathery coat.  Unlike the hellcats previously mentioned, the Frilled lack horns altogether.  In place of horns are minute wing-like structures that cover the face.  Frilled hellcats are essentially blind because of this and rely on echolocation to navigate.  The eyes of an adult Frilled are extremely sensitive and seldom used, even within its own den. Frilled Hellcats are found on the fringe of the Fae Wilds, although some theorize they originated in Kek due to their echolocation abilities, but were driven out by the much more dangerous Ombre Hellcats.

The Ombre Hellcat is a hellcat native solely to Kek, with charcoal-black skin, large eyes, long ears, and bioluminescent teeth. The bite of an Ombre Hellcat is toxic to humans, causing hallucinations, dysphagia, and extreme photosensitivity for up to six hours after exposure. Their large eyes and ears are used to locate and stalk potential prey. Ombre Hellcats have excellent night-vision and no echolocation abilities despite their large, sensitive ears. Instead of horns, they have spikes protruding from their vertebrae, their tips coated in the same toxic bioluminescent enamel as their teeth. Ombre Hellcats are solitary creatures native to Kek, often found hunting down Nawl and Howlers or fighting Dimor for territory.

The Skinned Hellcat is a phenomenon that occurs when a hellcat of any breed is skinned and left to rot, often by poachers. The carcass will reanimate as a violent undead shadow of the former hellcat. The Skinned Hellcat will continue its pursuit until it kills the one that stole its skin, or until its flesh has liquified and its bones have crumbled into dust.

### Roles in today’s World

Hellcats are, as a species of monster, largely unknown to the public.  They seldom enter the human world and are highly sought after by monster hunters for their beautiful and durable pelts.

### History/Origin

It is believed that the first hellcats were early creations of the God Yal. His counterpart, Dro, dubbed these creatures as dangers to humanity and cast them into the Wilds and the Darkness in order to protect mankind. From where they were cast, the hellcats adapted and diversified based on their new homes, leading to the four main breeds we know of today.

### How-to-Handle

To attract and pacify large Hellcat breeds, burn a 1:1 mixture of catnip buds and shaved silvervine bark. While exposure to the smoke and resulting ashes will reduce agitation and suppress natural hunting instincts in most Hellcats, they will still attack if provoked. Maintain a distance of at least ten meters and avoid prolonged eye contact at all costs. If the hellcat begins purring, take that as a signal to approach if you would like. If the purring stops, freeze and wait for it to continue before moving again. Do not make eye contact, do not stoop down, and do not turn around, as any of these actions can provoke an attack.

The Fae have found ways of befriending both Common and Frilled Hellcats, making them appear domesticated. These Fae have neglected to share their methods, however.

Fatal wounds with bullets or spears tipped with Helsing Steel are the most effective means of killing a Hellcat of any kind. Most other metals will have a very difficult time slicing through the thick hide. Some firearms with standard ammunition are capable of taking down a Hellcat, provided the velocity is high and the aim is true so the bullet manages to pierce the thin sphenoid bones behind its eye, destroying its brain.

Once a Hellcat is dead, its corpse will remain inert and decay naturally unless it is skinned. If skinned, the rest of the carcass must either be used, dismantled, or burned in order to prevent the manifestation of a Skinned Hellcat.