Monsters of the Hammer (by Spike)

Hit Dice:		5d8+10 (32 hp)
Initiative:		+3 (Dex)
Speed:		40ft
Armor Class:		15 (-1 size, +3 Dex, +3 natural)
Attacks:		2 claws +7 melee, bite +2 melee
Damage:		Claw 1d4+5, bite 1d8+2
Face/Range:		5 ft.by 10 ft./5ft
Special Attacks:		Pounce, improved grab, rake 1d4+2
Special Qualities:		Blindsight, scent
Save:		Fort +6, Ref +7, Will+2
Abilities:		Str 21, Dex 17, Con 15 Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Skills:		Balance +7, Hide +4, Jump +5 Listen +5, Move Silently +11, Spot +5
Feats:		-
Climate/ Terrain:		Any underground
Organization:		Solitary, pair, or pride (6-10)
Challenge Rating:		3
Treasure		None
Alignment:		Always neutral
Advancement:		6-8 HD (Large)

The Zitical or Cavern Cats look very much like a large lion, except that they have blue-gray fur and white pupilless eyes. They are curious about anything they do not know and have been known to follow humans around Dungeonsphere and do nothing but study them. Since they are blind, zitical have developed a much greater sense of smell. Their hearing is the same as that of normal cats.

Zitical were originally brought to Dungeonsphere with the Drow and used as guards. Over time drow magic and the need to adapt to their new surroundings have forced them to change into the forms they have today.

The Zitical society is exactly the same a regular lions. The females hunt and the strongest male is dominant. The males and females of the pride protect the cubs. When a pack grows to large it will spilt into two prides. The new pride, led by the second strongest male, must fond a new home and hunting grounds.

When born they appear as surface lions, ten with dark spots. But as they age the spots do not fade, instead they will grow until they are completely gray at the age of 2. Ecology: Zitical have the same place in Dungeonsphere ecology as lions do on the surface, they are the hunters and little else will hunt them in return.

Combat:
Cavern cats fight in a manner similar to lions except that they are able to climb walls like it is level ground. They use this ability in combat. When attacking they will jump off walls in order to surprise their prey 70% of the time. Once on level ground they fight in a manor similar to that of a normal big cat. If they score a hit on a size L or larger opponent with both claws they can rake with their hind legs for 2-12 points of damage. Light spells do not effect a Zitical. But a stinking cloud spell will knock one unconscious for one hour per level of the caster.

Pounce (Ex): If a zitical leaps upon a foe during the first round of combat, it can make a full attack even if it has already taken a move action.

Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, the riding cat must hit with a claw or bite attack. If it gets a hold, it can rake.

Rake (Ex): A zitical that gets a hold can make two rake attacks (+7 melee) with its hind legs for 1d8+3 damage each. If the riding cat pounces on an opponent, it can also rake.

Blindsight (Ex): Zitical can "see" by emmiting high-frequency sounds, inaudible to most other creatures, that allow them to locate objects and creatures within 120 feet. A silence spell negates this and leaves the zitical almost blind.

Skills: Zicical recieve a +4 racial bonus to Balance, Hide, and Move Silently checks. *In areas of heavy undergrowth, the Hide bonus improves to +12