Leomarhs were a species of big cats that could be found across many planes and whose origins were vague.[1]
Description[]
These creatures largely resembled lions with a golden-brown mane, except their forequarters were larger than their hindquarters, resulting in a slight slope to their back. Rather than fur, much of their body was covered by fine scales, though they had small beards. And their tails were long, similar to that of a snake, that ended in a bladed spade.[1]
On average these creatures grew to be a length of 6 to 7 feet (1.8 to 2.1 meters).[1]
Behavior[]
These creatures had an unusually high level of intelligence, above that of any lion or big cat, though they showed no signs of true sentience. They were extremely defensive of their cubs and were liable to attack anything that approached their lairs.[1]
Abilities[]
Much like a chameleon, leomarhs had a natural ability to change the colors of their bodies to match their surroundings. This allowed them to reach a state of near invisibility while holding still.[1]
Leomarhs were unusually impervious to harm from the spell magic missiles.[1]
Combat[]
Prides of these creatures were known to use hit-and-runs. They would also set up expert ambushes by dividing their prides, then having several obvious attackers draw prey towards camouflaged members. They tried to drag foes down to the ground with their large, powerful foreclaws.[1]
Leomarhs typically avoided fighting bigger foes, such as those that could call on magical energy or were heavily armed.[1]
Ecology[]
Much like lions, the leomarh lived and hunted in prides.[1]
Diet[]
Like most big cats, leomarhs were a carnivorous species. They were willing to attack almost anything smaller than an elephant, but their preferred prey was typically deer, goats, and bison or wild cattle. Though in some areas they would attack local peasants or lesser fiends if they were the most plentiful supply of food.[1]
Habitats[]
Leomarhs were native to and most common on the plains of the Outlands. However, being planar creatures, they were capable of seeing portals and thus were sometime encountered on plains in many other planes, such as Avernus, Amoria, Arcadia, the Beastlands, Bytopia, the Gray Waste, Limbo, Mechanus, and Ysgard.[1][2]
Relationships[]
Leomarhs were not known to interact with intelligent races or monsters and they were incapable of being tamed. Though on rare ocassions they could be found as animal companions of druids, rangers, or other individuals possessing an affinity with their local wildlife. On the plane of Outlands they were frequently hunted down, for they were perceived to pose a threat to travelers and other wildlife.[1]
Leomarhs acted as servants of the dwarven deities Clangeddin Silverbeard and Thard Harr,[3] as well as the demipower known as Nobanion.[4]
Rumors[]
Some people thought that leomarhs were planetouched, and that they had strange powers and abilities in their bloodlines.[1]
Appendix[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 Richard Baker (October 1995). Monstrous Compendium Planescape Appendix II. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 60–61. ISBN 0-7869-0173-X.
- ↑ Richard Baker (October 1995). Monstrous Compendium Planescape Appendix II. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 4–5. ISBN 0-7869-0173-X.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (November 1998). Demihuman Deities. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 50, 86. ISBN 0-7869-1239-1.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (September 1997). Powers & Pantheons. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 42. ISBN 978-0786906574.
Connections[]
Giant felines: Dire lion • Dire tiger • Giant lynx
Magical felines: Cath shee • Crag cat • Elven cat • Jaguar lord • Jana-nimr • Jana-qitat • Luck eater • Sabu lord • Swamplight lynx • Tressym • Water cat
Planar felines: Fey panther • Spectral panther
Humanoids: Rakshasa • Razorclaw shifter • Tabaxi • Wemic
Outsiders: Cat lord • Displacer beast • Foo lion • Hellcat • Leomarh • Leonal
Lycanthropes: Werecat • Werecougar • Werejaguar • Wereleopard • Werelion • Werepanther • Weretiger
Undead felines: Crypt cat