Keen Senses. The cantobele has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell. In addition, due to the nictitating membranes on its eyes, it is not affected by snow blindness.
Magic Resistance. The cantobele has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Misdirection. When the cantobele is subjected to a divination spell of level 3 or less, it does not reveal the cantobele's presence or any information about it.
Pounce. If the cantobele moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature and then hits it with a claw rake attack on the same turn, that target must succeed on a DC 16 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, the cantobele can make one bite attack against it as a bonus action.
Sure-Footed. The cantobele has advantage on any saving throw or ability check required to avoid snares, slippery footing, or other effects that would reduce its speed or knock it prone. In addition, it can climb sheer natural surfaces such as cliff faces and trees at full speed.
Tongues. For one day, the cantobele can speak and understand the language of any creature subjected to its detect thoughts ability. It speaks with a high-pitched feminine voice.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (1d10 + 5) piercing damage.
Claw Rake. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (3d6 + 5) slashing damage.
Detect Thoughts. The cantobele can detect the surface thoughts of a creature it can see within 150 feet as per the detect thoughts spell.
Ice Storm (2/day). The cantobele casts ice storm as a 4th-level spell. The save DC is 16.
The cantobele can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature's turn. The cantobele regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
Evade. The cantobele makes an escape attempt or moves half its speed without provoking opportunity attacks.
Bite (Costs 2 actions). The cantobele makes one bite attack.
Maul (Costs 2 actions). The cantobele makes one claw rake attack against a prone creature adjacent to it.
Description
A cantobele is a sleek, heavily-muscled, 6-legged great cat similar in appearance to a shaggy-maned male lion with tiger-like striping patterns. Its tail is long and muscular and aids greatly in its balance. Like a lion's tail, it is covered in short hair but ending in a tuft of longer, darker hair. The cantobele's coat changes with the seasons and environment: in snowy terrain it it white with gray striping, while in warmer climes it can be a mottled mix of grays, browns, golds, and even greens. Its most striking feature may be its humanlike brown or mauve eyes, which betray its striking cunning and intelligence. Survivors of a close encounter with a cantobele often recount the creature's unsettling gaze.
Cantobeles live in remote wilderness areas, particularly swamps, deep forests, and mountainous ravines, but stalk closer to settled lands in their hunting excursions. They utilize their magical abilities to read the thoughts of potential prey and lure them closer with their high-pitched, feminine voices. When they make a successful kill, a cantobele trills a strange, uniquely beautiful ringing sound, like wind chimes. Experienced monster hunters know of this call and many choose to turn back when they discover what they will be facing.
Lair and Lair Actions
A Cantobele's Lair
A cantobele's lair might be a secluded pine forest in a high mountain valley, a mangrove-shrouded island in a frozen marshland, or a hidden cave within barren, rocky moors. Regardless of location, the area experiences unnaturally cold temperatures and is often snowbound for much of the year.
Regional Effects
Transformed by the creature’s sinister presence, the domain of a cantobele might include any of the following magical effects:
- High winds, bitter cold, and blowing snow reduce vision to 120 feet even during the day and halve the speed of Medium and smaller creatures. Specialized snow goggles may increase sight range.
- Creatures other than the cantobele have disadvantage on all ability checks made to track or navigate, increasing their chance of getting lost.
- Divination spells of 3rd level and lower have a 50% chance of going awry and returning incorrect information.
If the cantobele dies, these effects end immediately.
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