| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| STR | 14 | +2 | +2 |
| DEX | 16 | +3 | +5 |
| CON | 16 | +3 | +3 |
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| INT | 8 | −1 | −1 |
| WIS | 14 | +2 | +4 |
| CHA | 12 | +1 | +1 |
Fiendish Prowler. The ashpelt hellcat has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made in dim light or darkness.
Material-Bound Fiend. While on the Material Plane, the hellcat does not need to consume souls or life force. It can survive on normal food, though it prefers meat that is slightly burned or smoked.
Pet Bond. The hellcat can bond to a willing creature over a short rest. While bonded: It is friendly to its owner, It will not willingly harm its owner, It has advantage on saving throws while within 30 feet of its owner, and It will actively defend its owner if threatened
This does not change its fiendish nature.
Multiattack. The ashpelt hellcat makes two attacks: one bite and one claw.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 3) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) fire or necrotic damage (hellcat’s choice).
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d4 + 3) slashing damage.
Cinder Pounce. If the hellcat moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature and then hits it with a claw attack on the same turn, the target must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, the hellcat can make one bite attack against it as a bonus action.
Sneak. The hellcat takes the Hide action.
Shadow Step (Recharge 5–6). As a bonus action, the hellcat can magically teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space it can see that is in dim light or darkness.
Description
Ashpelt hellcats resemble large, muscular wildcats with dark charcoal or ember-striped fur. Their eyes glow faintly red, orange, or violet, and wisps of smoke trail from their mouths when they breathe. Their paw pads are warm to the touch, leaving faint scorched prints on stone or wood.
When relaxed, they purr — but it sounds like softly crackling coals.
📜 Lore
Ashpelt hellcats are minor fiends that have adapted to life on the Material Plane. Some were summoned and abandoned. Others escaped from infernal masters. Over time, they learned that mortals make better long-term allies than devils do.
They are often used as:
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Guard beasts by warlocks and cultists
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Companions for morally gray adventurers
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Hunters of undead, rival fiends, or spellcasters
Unlike true hellhounds, ashpelt hellcats can form genuine loyalty bonds — though their loyalty is possessive and intense.
😼 Pet Temperament
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Aloof but fiercely loyal to its chosen owner
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Enjoys warm places: campfires, forges, sun-warmed stone
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Brings back “gifts” (burned bones, charred scraps, enemy trinkets)
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Hisses at celestials and holy symbols
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Sleeps curled near its owner’s gear
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Becomes aggressive if its owner is threatened
Despite its fiendish nature, it can be trained to behave like a (very dangerous) house cat.
🌍 Where Parties Might Find One
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As a familiar-like guardian for a dead warlock
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Roaming ruins tainted by fiendish magic
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Guarding an infernal cult hideout
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Trapped in a summoning circle
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Being sold illegally by planar smugglers
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Living feral near hell-touched wastelands
They are often first noticed by scorch marks and glowing eyes in the dark.
In-World Saying
“It’s just a cat.
A cat that breathes hell.”
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