Thylacine

The thylacine, also known as the jumping tiger or mantiger, is a fearless predator that possesses illusionary powers.

It is similar in size and shape to a normal tiger. The fur is a smudgy, smoky-gray with irregular patches of varying hues. The eyes are black. This cat possesses infravision (120-yard range). Its acute senses of hearing and smell enable it to track with 80% efficiency.

Combat: The thylacine can leap upon opponents to bite and rend. Its claws inflict 1d4 points of damage, while the teeth tear for 2d4 points.

The thylacine can leap 20 feet upward and 50 feet forward. If can make a running leap of 65 feet. It suffers only 1 point of damage when falling, no matter what the distance. If it has surprise when jumping on a victim, the thylacine gains a + 2 bonus to its attack rolls with its front claws. If both front claws strike, the beast can rake with its rear claws (1d4 points each), as well as bite with a +4 bonus to the attack roll. Such bites inflict the maximum damage each round until the beast is dislodged or killed. Dislodging a thylacine requires a successful bend bars/lift gates roll. The front claws automatically inflict minimum damage each round the beast simply holds onto its prey.

Its camouflage coat enables a motionless thylacine to escape detection 70% of the time if it is in the woods or standing against rocks. The thylacine is immune to charm, fear, and other mindcontrolling or influencing spells. It cannot be magically sensed or summoned.

One out of five thylacines can cast an illusion upon itself once a day; the illusion makes the beast appear to be human. The illusion can be maintained for 1d3 rounds; it is used to elude pursuit or approach alert prey. Viewers gain a +2 bonus to their saving throws against this illusion.

The beast is a clever hunter. It avoids Large groups of intelligent-looking prey, preferring instead to pick off solitary beings or those in small, weaker-looking groups. It can recognize wizards and magical items, especially the dangers they represent.

It tries to destroy magical items, scrolls, and potions, as well as cripple wizards.

Habitat/Society: The thylacine dwells in rocky areas and deep forests. It is a solitary hunter. It does not maintain a lair, although it may have several favored rest spots. High, rocky ledges and small, concealed caves are its first choice; it will make do with tangled thickets and ruins. The beast hides the remains of its meals. Although it does not collect treasure, it sometimes uses such items as bait to lure humanoids into a trap.

Each thylacine stalks a territory 30 miles across. It prefers a variety of game, including large herbivores, small predators, and humanoids. It stays clear of communities and roads.

Thylacines are solitary hunters. Even mating occurs only once every 12 years. At this time, mature thylacines are driven by instinct to travel to isolated forests and arctic regions. There they form prides of 10-40 individuals. They stay together for months, hunting en masse and howling loudly as they do so. The males then leave the region. The pregnant females remain together. Six months after conception, each female gives birth to one to three cubs. The cubs remain with their mothers in the pride until they are fully grown in three years. The pack breaks up as the young mature and the females return to their isolation. The newly matured thylacine are left to find their own hunting ranges.

Thylacine have been known to live as long as 70 years, although most die early.

Ecology: Thylacines may make alliances with other intelligent felines or feline monsters when dealing with a common problem or foe. They are closest in temperament to weretigers and may share territories with such beings. They detest canine and lupine species and monsters.

The thylacine's coat is valued for its use in making camouflage cloaks. It is worth id3 gp. The brain is a component the magical inks used to write mind blank spells. It is worth 25-50 gp on the open market.