Monster of the Week: Felinus
A faithful companion with a mind of its own!
The felinus is an intelligent, mysterious, and extremely rare (some say unique) magical animal, in the form of a winged house cat. It’s most likely to be encountered on a mission for the metaphysical forces of Neutrality, or as the bonded companion to a champion of Neutrality, striving to preserve balance in the continual conflict between Law and Chaos.
While the felinus can fly great distances, it doesn’t like flying over water, and will refuse to cross large lakes or oceans in this manner.
If it’s not currently bonded with a companion, the felinus may form a bond with a Neutral character who shares its commitment to philosophical balance. Thereafter, the felinus will stay with this companion until death (although it will go on missions alone—see below), or until it’s called away by obligations to Neutrality. In the latter case, the felinus may be gone for years, and then return to its companion as if nothing has happened.
The felinus can use telepathy at will (as a Helm of Telepathy). It will usually only communicate with its companion in this way, but it can do so with any creature. Accordingly, in extreme circumstances, it may choose to employ telepathy with others.
Given its small size, intelligence, and special abilities, the felinus makes an excellent spy, and will often agree to go on missions to gather information its companion might otherwise find difficult to learn. It can also hunt small game, such as rabbits, returning the carcasses to its companion and those accompanying them, as a source of food in the wilderness.
Armor Class: 3
Hit Dice: 2
Move: 120’ (40’)
Flying: 240’ (80’)
Attack(s): 1 bite
Damage: 1
No. Appearing: 1 (Nil)
Save As: Fighter 2
Morale: 10
Treasure Type: Nil
Alignment: Neutral
XP: 20
N.B. The felinus is inspired by the character of Whiskers, in Michael Moorcock’s The Queen of the Swords.