Cheeratas (Acinonyx paririsum) 

Cheeratas are solitary hunters and undoubtedly the most feared creatures in Kambala. Their slender physique, adaptive fur, and remarkable night vision make them exceptional hunters. In rare instances, they have been observed hunting in groups, primarily when taking on formidable prey like mastodons.

Male cheeratas are notably smaller than their female counterparts and possess colorful stripes on their bellies. They exhibit a unique behavior of skipping on their back legs when searching for mates. In contrast, females tend to abandon their young shortly after birth, entrusting their care to the males.

The fur of cheeratas is highly prized by alchemists for its unique properties, but it is generally collected from the wild rather than hunted for. Domestication attempts have been made, all of which met with dramatic failure. Supposedly, some native tribes in the Savannah have individuals who can control these creatures, but it is considered to be a product of local folklore and gossip.

Appearance: They resemble extremely thin cats, reaching up to 9 feet (2.7 meters) in length. They stand at 4 feet (1.2 meters) in height, yet despite their size, they possess exceptional hiding skills. Their fur naturally adopts the hue of their environment, making them challenging to spot. Their heads appear rectangular when viewed from the front, concealing numerous sharp teeth within their mouths, with eyes nestled deep in their faces. Their robust hind legs enable impressive leaps, allowing them to easily traverse wide gaps in the terrain.

Statistics: B5 S2 M2 W4 L20 Ev12 T2 D10 A2

Skills: Stealth +4, Athletics +3, Perception +3, Resistance +3, Attack +3

Abilities:

• Fear – Due to their imposing size and unsettling appearance, the creature often strikes fear into the hearts of those encountering them, particularly for the first time. All adversaries facing them must make a Bravery check with a difficulty of 7. Should they fail, they become immobilized, able to perform only Bravery checks until they successfully overcome their fear or are compelled to flee from the terrifying presence of the creature.

• Murderous – Female Cheeratas never escape combat. Additionally the first time they fail consciousness check they perform a free attack against the attacker and don’t lose consciousness.