A werecat was a type of lycanthrope that could take the form of a cat or a cat-human hybrid.[1][4]
Description[]
Werecats could take three different forms[note 1]: human form, cat form, or hybrid form. In their human form, they were sensuous, slender and hedonistic. In their cat form, werecats took the guise of wild cats, such as ocelots. Their hybrid form appeared to be a humanoid with fur, a cat's face and other feline features.[1][4]
Each form had distinct attributes, which got better or worse, when transitioning from human to cat form. The human form was better protected and better at grappling, but the cat form was twice as quick, far more dexterous and able to unleash a deadly pounce upon foes. The feline form was also slightly better at balancing, climbing and moving silently, though it was weaker. The hybrid form was a good middle ground, and was the werecats' prefered form for fighting off attackers. Every form, though, was very alert and able to use finesse weapons without being disadvantageous to their attacks.[1]
Personality[]
Werecats were often lithe and self-indulgent. They would pass on the curse of lycanthropy by biting foes. These shapechangers liked to communicate with cats, dire cats, and even great cats such as lions. Being adept in charming, bluffing and disguising was something werecats greatly took advantage of.[1]
The kittenlord transforming into his feline form.
Combat[]
In combat, werecats prefered their hybrid form, to utilize both humanoid and cat traits. They would attack frantically with their claws and bite, as well as spells, if they were capable of casting them. In cat form, they could charge foes as well as attack, covering great distance. Werecats could also use their high speed to escape from such encounters.[1]
Abilities[]
Naturally they had very good night vision, including infravision to 30 feet (9.1 meters).[4]
Society[]
As well as being solitary prowlers or hunting in pairs, many werecats formed societies. A secret sisterhood of werecats called the Eyes of the Evening served Selûne, as many other lycanthropes did. However, they also worshiped Sharess, and were rumored to hunt Loviatar or Shar cultists during the full moon.[2][5] As feline lycanthropes, werecats qualified as firemanes of Nobanion.[6]
Some societal werecats went on to become wise clerics of Sharess, casting divine spells, especially in the charm and trickery domains. They could typically scribe scrolls, and cast spells such as charm person and invisibility.[1]
Werecats were considered the antithesis of wererats.[4]
Lands[]
Werecats, as well as werelions and weretigers, were common citizens of Nathlekh, City of Cats.[7]
There was a population of werecats in Waterdeep, and while only small in number, they were enough to limit the number of wererats.[4] The majority of these werecats were faithful of Selûne, with over half a dozen being priests at the House of the Moon temple.[4][8]
Others flocked to warm climates, such as the Akri tribe of the Anauroch desert.[9]
History[]
Werecats first appeared in the Realms during the Time of Troubles, being one of many new varieties of lycanthrope to emerge during that time.[4]
Notable Werecats[]
Appendix[]
Notes[]
See Also[]
Appearances[]
- Comics
- Picking up the Pieces • Temptations • Cannibal Girls • Cat Logic • Cat & Mouse • The Last Betrayal
- Video games
- Neverwinter Nights
References[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 Richard Baker, Ed Bonny, Travis Stout (February 2005). Lost Empires of Faerûn. Edited by Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 179–181. ISBN 0-7869-3654-1.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 James Wyatt, Rob Heinsoo (February 2001). Monster Compendium: Monsters of Faerûn. Edited by Duane Maxwell. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 93. ISBN 0-7869-1832-2.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, et al (1989). Hall of Heroes. (TSR, Inc), p. 36. ISBN 0-88038-711-4.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 Eric L. Boyd (September 1997). Powers & Pantheons. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 157. ISBN 978-0786906574.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (September 1997). Powers & Pantheons. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 54. ISBN 978-0786906574.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (September 1997). Powers & Pantheons. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 43. ISBN 978-0786906574.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (September 1997). Powers & Pantheons. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 42. ISBN 978-0786906574.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (June 2005). City of Splendors: Waterdeep. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 44. ISBN 0-7869-3693-2.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb (April 1991). “Temptations”. In Kim Yale ed. Forgotten Realms #20 (DC Comics) (20)..
Connections[]
Related Creatures
Aranea • Coyotlwere • Hengeyokai • Jackalwere • Quasilycanthrope • Selkie • Shifter • Wolfwere
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