Step 1: Choose a Breed
There are a wide variety of cat breeds, which one you chose is entirely up to you. Try to determine what kind of personality you want your cat to have and then find a breed with appropriate characteristics. You can find a list of common breeds at the following web sites:
http://www.gorki.net/enc-index.html
or
http://www-personal.si.umich.edu/~hcorbett/catguide.html
Step 2 Classify Your Cat
There are 5 different classifications of cat: House Cat, Tom Cat, Alley Cat, Feral Cat and Show Cat. Each classification carries with it its own benefits.
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House Cats
House Cats are the protectors. They live indoors and watch over their humans and do their best to fight off whatever emerges from the shadows. House Cats rarely venture outdoors and when they do often find themselves in unfamiliar territory. However, house cats tend to have a keen understanding of the ways of their humans. Though not as intelligent as Show cats, House cats have an empathic link with their human.
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Tom Cats
Tomcats, or Farm Cats as they are sometimes called are basically house cats that are allowed to go outdoors. The cat in the secret of Nihm would be considered a Tom Cat. Though they spend time indoors, Tom Cats are typically uncomfortable if kept indoors for extended periods of time. They are skilled hunters and can survive for extended periods without their human. Tomcats are great fighters and receive special bonus’ when in combat.
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Alley Cats
Alley cats are survivors. They dwell in urban environments and survive off the waste of their surroundings. Alley Cats have an extensive knowledge of urban areas and have little trouble finding what or who they need. Alley Cats live a rough life and as a result have gained the ability to sense danger.
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Feral Cats
Feral cats are wild at heart, yet still somewhat domesticated. They are the rural version of the Alley Cat in regards to finding things in wilderness areas. They are skilled hunters and , trackers. They hate the indoors and do not get along well with indoor animals. Their wild and savage nature gives them the ability to terrify other animals and humans by hissing at them.
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Show Cats
Show Cats are a more extreme version of the house cat. The outdoors is almost completely foreign to them. Unlike house cats, Show Cats have a special awareness to the occult world and can detect evil sources and in some instances can predict the future or see into the past. Show cats are social butterflies and sophisticated communicators. |
Step 3 Select Your Traits
Cats have 3 traits: Size, Stamina and Pedigree. Each cat starts with a base score in each trait based on their classification. Note: traits can be increased later.
Size
Your cats SIZE determines his physical durability and ability withstand injury. It also determines how big your cat is. Cats typically weigh twice their SIZE in pounds.
House Cats: 2
Tom Cats: 3
Alley Cats: 2
Feral Cats: 3
Show Cats: 2
Stamina
Ever notice how long cats sleep? Cats have a very high metabolism and require quite a bit of rest. A cat must take a 10 minute nap after a number of hours have passed equal to half his Stamina (rounded up). If the cat is kept awake after that time he must sleep as soon a he is able for at least 30 minutes plus whatever amount of time he was kept awake.
House Cats: 2
Tom Cats: 2
Alley Cats: 3
Feral Cats: 2
Show Cats: 1
Pedigree
A cat's Pedigree represents a couple things. First, it represents the cat's social standing in regards to other cats. It is an indication of your cat's heritage. Whenever a cat tries to communicate with another cat he may add half of his Pedigree (rounded up) to his Communication skill. Pedigree is a measure of the cat's attunement with the occult. Over the centuries cats of high Pedigree have passed along secret abilities to those they deemed worthy. Cats that have a Pedigree of 5 or higher can learn additional special abilities.
House Cats: 0
Tom Cats: 0
Alley Cats: 0
Feral Cats: 0
Show Cats: 1
Step 4 Select Your Skills
Cats have 6 basic skills. Each cat starts with a base score in each Skill based on their classification. Note: Skills can be increased later.To determine if your cat succeeds at a particular skill roll 1d12. If you roll under your score you succeed. A 12 always fails and a 1 always suceeds.
Fight/Play
This skills is used any time your cat wants to make a physical action. The skill covers the cats basic agility, strength and physical ability.
House Cats: 2
Tom Cats: 3
Alley Cats: 2
Feral Cats: 2
Show Cats: 1
Forage/Hunt
This skill is used whenever your cat is searching for something, be it food, prey or his favorite toy.
House Cats: 2
Tom Cats: 3
Alley Cats: 3
Feral Cats: 3
Show Cats: 1
Sense/Perceive
This skill is the default skill for any sensory skills the cat may need, such as hearing, seeing, or smelling.
House Cats: 2
Tom Cats: 2
Alley Cats: 2
Feral Cats: 3
Show Cats: 2
Humans
This is your cat’s general understanding of humans. Use this skill any time your cat is trying to figure out what a human is doing or any time your cat tries to communicate with a human.
House Cats: 3
Tom Cats: 1
Alley Cats: 1
Feral Cats: 0
Show Cats: 3
Human Things
Humans have lots of interesting and potentially dangerous gadgets. Use this skill to determine the general function of a human item.
House Cats: 2
Tom Cats: 1
Alley Cats: 1
Feral Cats: 0
Show Cats: 3
Other Animals
This is your cat’s general understanding of other animals.
House Cats: 1
Tom Cats: 2
Alley Cats: 1
Feral Cats: 3
Show Cats: 1
Communication
This is your cat’s general understanding of social skills among the animal world. Use this skill any time your cat tries to communicate with another animal.
OPTIONAL RULE: It is assumed that all animals speak the same language or can at least understand each other. The Game Master may choose to have players chose one type of animal per point in his Other Animal skill that the player's cat can communicate with.
House Cats: 1
Tom Cats: 1
Alley Cats: 1
Feral Cats: 1
Show Cats: 3
Step 5: Spend Your 12 Free Points
Now is your opportunity to improve your traits and skills. Traits cost two per point and skills cost one per point.
Step 6: Determine Your Personality
Cats tend to be very unique. Choose an equal number of good and bad aspects of your cat's personality (minimum of 1 each). You may take as many traits as you like, but you MUST have an equal number of good and bad personality traits. Click Here to see the available personality traits.
Step 7: Finishing Touches
Now you can finish up with your cat. Give him two names, one which was give to him by his human and another which he is called by other animals. You may also write up a small description of your cats.
