Cat, Saturnian - By Bill Silvey (inspired by H. P. Lovecraft)
Frequency: Rare
No. Appearing: 1-10
Armor Class: 1
Move: 24"
Hit Dice: 7
% In Lair: 0%
Treasure Type: Nil
No. Of Attacks: 3
Damage/Attack: 1-8/1-8/2-12
Special Attacks: See Below
Special Defense: See Below
Magic Resistance: 50%
Intelligence: High
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Size: L (lion-sized)
Psionic Ability: Nil
Attack/Defense Modes: Nil
Level/XP Value: V/750 + 10 per HP
From a distant and strange world - perhaps not even from the Prime Material Plane at all - these weird creatures exist to bring madness and suffering in to the world, apparently for their own amusement. Despite what may appear to be a capricious nature, they do in fact follow a strict social hierarchy, but what is based upon is unknown and may be unknowable.
Saturnian Cats will make an appearance on the Prime Material plane on a world when that world's moon is full and unobstructed by clouds. In a manner that is not fully understood, they can travel down moon-beams almost instantaneously. Once on the ground, they will wreak great havoc until the moon sets again, whereupon they will be forced to return to the place whence they came.
These other-dimensional felines have a natural ability to which functions exactly as a Duo Dimension spell (q.v.) any time they so desire. They can move in the Astral and Ethereal planes at will, and will retreat to the Astral if they are reduced to 10% of their starting hit points. Saturnian cats are strange to the eye, and appear to be made of angles and lines that should not be there. The first time a Saturnian Cat is observed, those who gaze at it must make a saving throw versus spells or be Confused as that spell. If they succeed, they will have no problem picking the shape of the Saturnian Cat out and need never make such a saving throw again.
Finally, they possess the ability to Charm up to four targets during combat, thrice daily.
There is a great emnity between normal cats of all types and Saturnian Cats, and they will attack one another on sight to the exclusion of other targets, without exception.
Cat deities such as Bast or the Cat Lord (q.v.) strive mightily to destroy all Saturnian Cats or at least confine them to whatever place of origin whence they came.