Monsters of the Hammer (by Spike)

Hit Dice:		6d8+18 (45)
Initiative:		+2 (Dex)
Speed:		40ft
Armor Class:		14 (-1 size, +2 Dex, +3 natural)
Attacks:		2 claws +9 melee, bite +4 melee
Damage:		Claw 1d8+6, bite 1d6+3
Face/Range:		5 ft.by 5 ft./5ft
Special Attacks:		Pounce, improved grab, rake 1d8+3
Special Qualities:		-
Save:		Fort +8, Ref +7, Will+3
Abilities:		Str 23, Dex 15, Con 17 Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 7
Skills:		Balance +6, Hide +5*, Listen +3, Move Silently+9, Spot +3, Swim+11
Feats:		-
Climate/ Terrain:		Any land
Organization:		Solitary
Challenge Rating:		4
Treasure		None
Alignment:		Always neutral
Advancement:		7-12 HD (Large), 13-18 (Huge)

Riding cats are the size of large tigers. Their hair coloration and length varies depending upon the climate and breeding the cat has had. Usually most are calico white, brown, and black with short hair being the norm.

In the wild, riding cats form packs for mutual protection. The pack is similar to a lion's pride, in that one male dominates and the females do most of the hunting. When a lack of food prohibits the support of a large number of predators the pack breaks up and forms smaller packs well away from one another.

Fully-grown cats cannot be tamed by any nonmagical means. But when captured as cubs they can be trained in a way similar to horses. In captivity their uses range household pets and guards to serving as mounts for lightweight being. If they are ever mistreated there is a 50% chance they will turn on and attack the one who mistreated it and then seek to escape into the wild. Once a cat has gone wild it cannot be approached by another humanoid being without the aid of magic.

Nalkakian riding cats vary their diets with meat and vegetable matter. In the wild they are at the top of the natural food chain, for no other animals would seek to hunt this predator.

Combat:
In the wild, riding cats fight in a way that blends the styles of lions and tigers. That is they will stalk their prey and pounce upon it when it is relaxed and unsuspecting. When fighting a large opponent and it scores a hit with both claws then it can rake with both its back claws for 1-8 points each.

Domesticated cats are trained not to stalk, but to just pounce upon an opponent when they have a rider. Although when riderless they hunt just as wildcats do.

Pounce (Ex): If a riding cat 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 riding cat that gets a hold can make two rake attacks (+9 melee) with its hind legs for 1d8+3 damage each. If the riding cat pounces on an opponent, it can also rake. If the cat has a rider it has been trained only to rake against opponents of Large size or bigger.

Skills: Riding Cats recieve a +4 racial bonus to Balance, Hide, and Move Silently checks. *In areas of tall grass or heavy undergrowth, the Hide bonus improves to +8