Arctic Cat
By Scott Brocius and Mark A. Jindra

The arctic cat is presented here in its base form, and in its two size increases due to advancement.

The arctic cat is a psionic predator that hunts the barren glacial peaks.

Arctic cats are active mostly at the times of dusk and dawn. They are carnivores that are capable of eating over 50 pounds of meat in one sitting. Arctic cats have a daily food requirement that increases as the cat gets bigger (50 pounds at Medium-size, 100 pounds at Large, and 200 pounds at Huge). Medium-size arctic cats are usually 6 to 9 feet long and weigh between 300 and 450 pounds. Large cats range between 8 and 12 feet long and weigh between 600 and 900 pounds, while their Huge counterparts are 12 to 16 feet in length and tip the scales at 1,200 to 1,800 pounds. The coat of an arctic cat is heavy, shaggy, and predominantly white with occasional dark stripes along the rear flanks.

Combat

The arctic cat attacks using its claws and bite attacks, and it rakes with its rear claws when it gets the chance. It waits for prey by hiding in the terrain, and it uses its dimension slide to pounce.

Improved Grab (Ex): If a psionic cat hits an opponent that is at least one size category smaller than itself with both claw attacks, it deals normal damage and attempts to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity (grapple bonus +7 for a 5-HD cat, +16 for a 6-HD cat, or +27 for a 9-HD cat). If it gets a hold, it also attempts to rake on the same round. Thereafter, the arctic cat has the option to conduct the grapple normally, or simply use its claws to hold the opponent (-20 penalty on grapple check, but the arctic cat is not considered grappled). In either case, each successful grapple check it makes during successive rounds automatically deals damage for both claws.

Psionic Pounce (Sp): If an arctic cat uses dimension slide on a creature, it can make a full attack (including a rake attempt, see below) even though it has moved.

Psionics (Sp): At will -- dimension slide. Manifester level 16th.

Attack/Defense Modes (Sp): At will -- ego whip/mental barrier.

Rake (Ex): On any round that an arctic cat has a hold on an opponent (see Improved Grab, above), it can make two rake attacks with its hind legs at its full attack bonus for the damage indicated. The arctic cat can also attempt to rake when it uses psionic pounce on an opponent.

Skills: An arctic cat has a +8 racial bonus on Climb checks and a +4 racial bonus on Spot and Hide checks. *The Hide bonus rises by an additional +8 in winter terrain.

Arctic Cats as Mounts

An arctic cat can be used as a mount, but only by a psionic character. The cat respects and serves someone with an "opened" mind. To gain one as a mount, a psionic character must either subdue one in combat (which must include psychic combat) or raise one from a cub. If a nonpsionic character raises a cub, it uses its dimension slide ability to gain its freedom shortly after reaching maturity.

Arctic cats require the use of an exotic saddle to be ridden properly (see the Ride skill in the Player's Handbook). While it has a rider, it takes a -6 penalty on its Climb checks, and it cannot climb at all with more than a light load. An arctic cat cannot use dimension slide with a rider.

Cat Size	Light Load	Medium Load	Heavy Load
Medium-size	up to 66 lb.	67-133 lb.	134-200 lb.
Large	up to 400 lb.	401-800 lb.	801-1200 lb.
Huge	up to 2448 lb.	2449-4896 lb.	4897-7360 lb.

Special Mount

An arctic cat can also serve as a special mount for a paladin/psionic character multiclass. If approved by the DM, the character can call an arctic cat at 6th level of paladin. Small paladins normally receive the Medium-size cat, while Medium-size paladins get the Large cat. Large paladins have to wait until 8th level to call an arctic cat, but they call only the Huge ones.