Monster: Pakh (Goblin Cat)

Pakh
Armour Class: 5
Hit Dice: 3+5***
Move: 150'/50'
Attacks: 2 claws + 1 bite or by weapon
Damage: 1-3/1-3 + 1-4 or by weapon
No. Appearing: 1-8
Save As: F4
Morale: 10
Treasure Type: D
Alignment: Chaotic
XP Value: 150

The pakh, or goblin cat, is a malicious and vindictive creature that delights in playing with its human (or demihuman) prey. In its natural form a pakh is an oversized coal black cat with burning yellow-green eyes, its claws and fangs licked with greenish fires; but the goblin cat may freely take on the shape of an ordinary housecat or a slender human with dark hair and shining green eyes. Using its alternate shapes, the pakh insinuates itself into a community or masquerades as a helpless lost pet or wayward traveler.

In combat a pakh will attack with its claws and fangs in feline shape, inflicting 1-3 hit points per claw and 1-4 hit points per bite -- but the goblin cat's fires cling to its victim, causing an additional hit point of damage per round until doused. In human shape a pakh will fight with whatever weaponry may be at hand, and can ignite its chosen weapon in the same manner as its natural armaments. Once a day a pakh may steal breath by touch, causing the subject to lose a point of Strength for twenty-four hours. At will, it may inflict a bane on little cat feet, causing a -1 penalty to all actions for twenty-four hours; multiple such "cat curses" are cumulative.

A pakh cannot be harmed by non-magical weapons unless crafted from rowan wood or rosewood. Some elder goblin cats are said to have the spellcasting abilities of third level magic-users or even greater.