Battikas

Battikas by Stone Gargoyle

Battikas are magically created creatures which resemble housecats in their normal form, but which transform to larger beasts when needed, usually in protection of their family or adopted caretakers , or at the command of their caretakers. They are intelligent animals and live in groups.
Battikas mate for life and are extremely affectionate and loving. The cat will stop at nothing to avenge the death of those they protect. They typically live in pairs or small families with 1d4 young (the kittens often being adopted by new caretakers before the age of 3; otherwise they will go off on their own and risk death trying to find new caretakers if not adopted by the existing caretakers). Due to their need to conserve energy, they cannot transform for more than a few hours per day. Due to this fact, they fear larger predators and have come to relay on their caretakers, with unmated young will die if not adopted by new caretakers.
As protectors, they sit and watch visitors to their homes, and will sit close to their caretakers, sometimes even settling into their laps, to protect their caretakers. They will only transform and attack if they or their young are threatened, or if their caretakers are attacked or endangered. Rarely, they have been known to allow themselves to be ridden into battle, but only when there is no other option.

Alignment: Any, but usually principled.

Attributes: I.Q. 2d6, M.E. 3d6, M.A. 3d6, P.S. 1d6 (3d6 when transformed), P.P. 4d6, P.E. 2d6 (4d6 when transformed), P.B. 3d6, Spd 16, but with bursts of Speed of 22 for 1d4 minutes (Spd 22 when transformed, with burst of Speed of 50 for 1d4 minutes)

Hit Points: 4d6+10

S.D.C.: 2d6 (4d6+10 when transformed)

P.P.E.: 1d4X10

Size: 1 and 1/4 to 3 and 1/4 feet, plus tail: 12 inches (4 and 1/4 to 6 and 1/2 feet when transformed)

Weight: 6-15 pounds (125-200 pounds when transformed)

Natural A.R.: None (6 when transformed)

Horror Factor: None (8 when transformed)

Natural Abilities: Identify tracks 80%, track by sight (animals and humanoids) 80%, track by smell 50%, prowl 70%, swim 40%, climb 90%, leap 5 feet high and 6 feet long (twice that when transformed), Nightvision 60 feet.

Damage: Claws do 1d4 damage (2d4+4 when transformed), bite does 2 points of damage (1d6+2 when transformed)

Bonuses: +3 initiative, +1 to strike, +2 dodge, +6 Save vs. Horror Factor

Magic: None except transformation.

Psionics: None

Habitat: Domesticated animal unable to live in the wild, kept as pets.

Languages: Can understand comands from caretakers and communicate in a cat-like fashion with each other.

Enemies: Larger animal predators when not transformed; otherwise, none per se.

Allies: The people who adopt them and become their caretakers, typically humans, elves, gnomes and dwarves.

Value: 200 gold as pets.