Mr. Buttons, the Deathcat

Mr. Buttons
D&D 3e, Created 2001 by
Patric L. Rogers

Mr. Buttons, male housecat, Psion (Shaper) 10, Metamind 10: CR 20; Size T (2 ft., 1 in. long, 17 lbs.); HD 20d4+60; hp 130; Init +6 (Dex); Spd 80 ft. 80 ft.; AC 26 (+2 size, +6 Dex, +4 armor, +2 natural, +2 deflection); Attack +18 melee (1d2-2 P/S, 20/×2, claws), or +13 (1d3-2 B/P/S, 20/×2, bite); SV Fort +9 [+11], Ref +12 [+14], Will +18 [+20]; AL LG; Str 2 [6], Dex 18 [22], Con 13 [17], Int 28 [32], Wis 14 [18], Cha 8 [12]

Skills: Alchemy +34, Autohypnosis +15, Balance +25, Climb +7, Concentration +26, Diplomacy +11, Hide +29*, Jump +9 [+49], Knowledge (Psicraft) +34, Knowledge (Religion) +22, Knowledge (the Planes) +22, Listen +15, Move Silently +21, Perform +11, Psicraft +34, Remote View +17, Search +17, Sense Motive +15 [All skills based on ability scores granted by magic collar.]

Feats: Combat Manifestation, Extend Power, Hide Display, Inertial Armor, Inner Strength (×5), Maximize Power, Speed of Thought, Trigger Power (astral construct II), Trigger Power (burning ray), Trigger Power (levitate), Trigger Power (whitefire), Weapon Finesse (bite, claw)

Languages: Common, Gnome, Celestial, Auran, Infernal, Giant, Elf, Dwarf, Draconic, Abyssal, Terran, Orc, Gnoll

Special: Cats receive a +4 racial bonus to Hide and Move Silently checks and a +8 racial bonus to Balance checks. They use their Dexterity modifier for Climb checks.  *In areas of tall grass or heavy undergrowth, the Hide bonus rises to +8.
     (Su): Mr. Buttons has the following permanent magic enchantments, usable at will:  tongues, detect magic, darkvision, see invisibility.

Possessions: The Collar of the Deathcat is his only possession. As a cat, he has no need for anything else.

The role of Mr. Buttons, Deathcat is played by Grey Ghost.  In truth, no creature could be more harmless than this big plush toy.

Background: Mr. Buttons, the Deathcat, began life as a gnome. On his very first adventure he aided several major divine powers (q.v. Tales of the Outer Planes). During this same adventure he played a prank on Raven, so Raven turned him into a housecat.  Now, what one greater Power does, no lesser power can undo.  By the time that Mr. Buttons found another Power who could turn him back into a gnome, he had quite adapted to life as a housecat (he has an odd sense of humor anyway). So, when next Mr. Buttons again met Raven, he asked Raven to restore his gnomish logevity (but not his gnomish form) since being an old, arthritic cat wasn't fun anymore. Once again a young, spry housecat, Mr. Buttons started a school for young psionic students.  After twenty years of that, during which he completed design work on his enchanted collar, he wandered off.  When Thoth heard the tale of Mr. Buttons, he was bemused and allowed Mr. Buttons to enjoy his library. Thirty years in Thoth's library taught him so much and he was then ready to adventure again.

Personality / Motivation: A prankster through and through, Mr. Buttons often pretends to be a wizard's familiar and pairs himself up with another member of the adventuring party. He prefers someone who will pamper him and spoil him rotten.  He is finicky about his food, but prefers to throw himself into water rather than lick himself.

Quotes: "*Meow*" (He can make all the normal cat noises in addition to real speech.)
     "Subtlety will take you much farther, my young friend, than a strong sword arm ever will. Finesse is what makes a creature like the succubus so dangerous."

Powers / Tactics: Hide, then use Hide Display while he calls forth ectoplasmic creations (e.g. cocoons, constructs, walls). He has virtually no direct confrontation ability so he is more a support member using his detection powers or maneuvering foes so his teammates can pick them off.

Appearance: A big gray, adorably cuddly cat.

Campaign Use: He makes a dandy NPC instructor to any psion or psychic warrior PCs.

Copyright © 2001, 2002 by Patric L. Rogers.  All rights reserved.
Last updated 18 June 2002  by Patric L. Rogers.
Send comments and suggestions to morpheus_unbound@patric.net.