Caiman katanga

Caiman katanga were a water-dwelling species of katanga found in the rivers and lakes of the Malatran Plateau in Kara-Tur.

Description
Katanga were intelligent animal shapechangers who could take on the shape of a beast as well as appear in a hybrid form. In humanoid form, caiman katanga retained thick and leathery skin with texture similar to that of a caiman animal.

One notable feature of all katanga, regardless of the form they took, was that the shadow they cast was always that of the animal.

Abilities
Despite similarities with werebeasts, katanga were not lycanthropes and did not share their strengths or vulnerabilities. When detected or examined via magic, all katanga appeared to be ordinary natural animals. In their animal form, caiman katanga could only communicate with others of their kin and rendered themselves unable to use magic.

Katanga could change their shape a limited number of times per day, depending on their experience and strength.

Habitats
Friendly caiman katanga who dwelt in the waters of the Sleepy Lake, to the southwest of the Fire Mountain, were believed to protect the peaceful Nubari Zantira tribes that made homes atop lake rafts. Some Zantirans believed that the lake's caiman katanga saved the water spirit protector Jung'r'na who instructed the shapeshifters to protect the Raft Dweller humans.

Vile bands of the caiman katanga were known to occasionally raid peaceful Koshiva tribes of the Living Jungle.

History
Some 20 years before the the Year of Awakening, Malatran Calendar (late 14 century DR), the chieftain of then Saiyama tribe, Toloka, was killed alongside his family, by a band of malicious caiman katanga. Toloka's death led to the tribe's renaming honoring its new leader – Big Chief Bagoomba.

Notable Caiman Katanga

 * Tog, once an adventuring companion of witch doctor Bengoukee, aged and retired in the Sleepy Lake by the late 14 century DR.

Appearances

 * Licensed Adventures & Organized Play
 * Web of Destruction &bull; Curse of Fire Mountain
 * Web of Destruction &bull; Curse of Fire Mountain