Man O' Nine Cats
The man o' nine cats is an urban legend, believed to be a construct created by a loving artificer to prevent harm from coming to his cats after his death. Made in the image of himself, the man o' nine cats appears to be a very rudimentary humanoid automaton that has been very haphazardly decorated to bear the vaguest resemblance to an old man. Upon his back is a large cabinet of sorts, adorned with nine doors, each of which houses one cat. Though speechless, the arrival of the man o' nine cats is always heralded by the din of its residents, and the glowing of its ever-burning lantern.
Constructed Protector. Ever wary of ne'er-do-wells, the artificer created a companion for the man o' nine cats, in the image of his favourite animal. The catomaton, being "simpler" in design, is faster and more capable than the man o' nine cats, and was designed to protect the man o' nine cats without endangering any of its occupants.
In time, the man o' nine cats and the catomaton have learnt to work as one cohesive unit when the need arises, the catomaton will dart around while the man o' nine cats uses its limited maneuverability but lightning fast reactions to defend the catomaton however it can.
A Home For Life. Whether by the passage of time, or poor health, the artificers cats have sinces passed, though on its travels, wandering the land, the man o' nine cats has attracted other feline occupants. Enchanted to provide food and water enough to feet its inhabitants, and to attract a new resident when one of its wards leaves, the man o' nine cats has always had nine feline residents, since the day of its birth, and surely until the day it ceases to function.
A Haven For Cats. Often found accompanied by many feral cats, the man o' nine cats is rumoured to distribute food as it walks, so that none of its charges, whether resident or not, will go hungry.
Man O' Nine Cats
Medium construct, unaligned
- Armor Class 13 (natural armour)
- Hit Points 52 (8d8 + 16)
- Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 13 (+1) 15 (+2) 14 (+2) 3 (-4) 12 (+1) 7 (-2)
- Skills Deception +0, Perception +3
- Damage Vulnerabilities lightning
- Damage Immunities poison, psychic; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical weapons that aren't adamantine
- Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned
- Senses passive Perception 13
- Languages —
- Challenge 3 (700 XP)
Continual Lantern. The man o' nine cats sheds bright light in a 20-foot radius and dim light for an additional 20 feet.
Death Throes. When the man o' nine cats dies, nine cats are ejected from the corpse in spaces within 5 feet of the man o' nine cats. The cats are hostile towards any creature that attacked the man o' nine cats.
Immutable Form. The man o' nine cats is immune to any spell or effect that would alter its form.
Keen Smell. The man o' nine cats has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Magic Resistance. The man o' nine cats has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Reactive. The man o' nine cats can take one reaction on every turn in combat.
Very False Appearance. Any creature that can see the man o' nine cats can make a DC 8 Wisdom (Perception) check to realise this is not an old man, but a construct being controlled by cats.
Actions
Shortstaff. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) bludgeoning damage.
Reactions
Purrtection. If the catomaton is within 5 feet of the man o' nine cats, it can add 2 to the AC of the catomaton against one melee or ranged attack that would hit it. To do so, the man o' nine cats must see the attacker and be wielding a melee weapon.
Purry The man o' nine cats adds 2 to its AC against one melee or ranged attack that would hit it. To do so, the man o' nine cats must see the attacker and be wielding a melee weapon.
Catomaton
Small construct, unaligned
- Armor Class 13 (natural armour)
- Hit Points 50 (9d6 + 18)
- Speed 50 ft., climb 50 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 13 (+1) 15 (+2) 14 (+2) 3 (-4) 12 (+1) 7 (-2)
- Skills Perception +3, Stealth + 4
- Damage Immunities poison, psychic; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical weapons that aren't adamantine
- Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned
- Senses passive Perception 13
- Languages —
- Challenge 3 (700 XP)
Agile. Opportunity attacks made against the catomaton have disadvantage unless the catomaton is incapacitated.
Immutable Form. The catomaton is immune to any spell or effect that would alter its form.
Keen Smell. The catomaton has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Magic Resistance. The catomaton has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Magic Weapons. The catomaton's weapon attacks are magical.
Pounce. If the Catomaton moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature and then hits it with a claw attack on the same turn, that target must succeed on a DC 11 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, the catomaton can make one bite attack against it as a bonus action.
Actions
Multiattack. The catomaton makes 3 attacks; one with its bite and two with its claws.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) slashing damage.
Artwork: "Key Keeper" by James Ng