This amulet resembles a Shield Guardian Master’s Amulet with the exception that the gem in the middle is a clear diamond. Created by a Shadar-Kai wizard who sought to improve a Master’s Amulet by gaining a shadow demon as a familiar. The wizard summoned the demon and knowing it’s true name attempted to planer bind the demon into servitude. The demon understanding that words matter, just as with wishes, used the wizard’s words against him and instead the wizard became the shadow demon’s familiar in the form of a shadow cat.
To add to the irony or cruelty since the spell was linked to the Master’s Amulet the wizard is also in servitude to the wearer of the amulet, but at a cost to the wearer. Once per day (as an action) when the amulet is activated all surrounding light is pulled into the diamond causing it to turn black acting as a portal, or cat door, from Shadowfell to the material plane. When the wearer summons the shadow cat (at will) darkness pours out of the amulet and takes full form after one round. At this time the wearer is subjected to four festering claw marks and loses 1 hit die, which the cat adds to its own health. The claw marks and loss of hit die are not able to be healed until the shadow cat departs the material plane.
The shadow cat’s abilities are similar to the shadow mastiff with a few differences (see the full stats below). As a semi-shield guardian it is compelled to protect the amulet wearer and as an extremely intelligent familiar it is able to communicate mentally with the amulet wearer. It must obey all mental commands perfectly, but the shadow cat does this to the letter of the command and not the spirit. It can perform the same actions as a familiar, but it cannot travel more than 150 feet from the amulet, in addition it is able to lift no more than 5 pounds. When the shadow cat makes an attack roll and it had advantage, it adds the wearers Sneak Attack damage dice or a 3rd level Rogue whichever is higher.
The wearer must maintain a mental link with the shadow cat, because once the link is broken, e.g. unconsciousness or sleep, the shadow cat turns on the wearer mauling its throat in an attempt to remove the amulet. If the shadow cat is able to obtain the amulet and place it around its neck the wizard is freed from his servitude to the shadow demon. The shadow cat will do anything it can to stay in the material plane to achieve this goal. So if the shadow cat takes damage it can heal itself (at will) utilizing its hit dice as long as it is in dim light or darkness. If the shadow cat’s hit points drop to 0 or it is dismissed it is sent back to Shadowfell to serve its other master.
SHADOW CAT
Tiny monstrosity, neutral evil
Armor Class 12
Hit Points 20 (6d4) + Amulet Wear’s HD Sacrifice
Speed 40ft., climb 30ft.
STR 5 (-3) DEX 17 (+3) CON 10 (+0) INT 14 (+2) WIS 14 (+2) CHA 7 (-2)
Skills Perception +3, Stealth +6
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks while in dim light or darkness
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages Only through telepathy 120ft. Abyssal, Elvish, Common
Challenge 1 (200 XP)
-Ethereal Awareness. The shadow cat can see ethereal creatures and objects.
-Keen Senses. The shadow cat has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.
-Shadow Blend. While in dim light or darkness, the shadow cat can use a bonus action to become invisible, along with anything it is wearing or carrying. The invisibility lasts until the shadow cat uses a bonus action to end it or until the shadow cat attacks, is in bright light, or is incapacitated.
-Sunlight Weakness. While in bright light created by sunlight, the shadow cat has disadvantage on attack rolls, ability checks, and saving throws.
ACTIONS
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) slashing damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw or take 5 (2d4) poison damage and become poisoned for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
References
Master's Amulet (mm p271)
Summon Greater Demon (xge p166)
Planar Binding (phb p265)
Demon True Names (mm p53)
Find Familiar (phb p240)
Notes: Best if Attuned by a Rogue Cursed
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