Bandersnatch

Bandersnatch
(Creature)
Rare Gargantuan Beast Tane Level 17 Alignment LG NG CG LN N CN LE NE CE Source: Monster Core, pg(s). 31 Type Magical beast CR 17 Environment Any forests Adjective LG NG CG LN N CN LE NE CE Source: Bestiary 3, pg(s). 32

Bandersnatches are frumious beasts from the First World, part of the Tane, a group of the Eldest's powerful servants.

Appearance

A bandersnatch resembles a tawny, six-legged cat with wicked quills running the length of its body to the tip of its long, flexible tail. These quills can be flung at enemies with surprising accuracy. Anyone gazed at by the bandersnatch's saucer-like, luminous eyes is captivated. A bandersnatch measures 50 feet in length, of which ten is tail, weighs 12,000 pounds, and moves with surprising grace and stealth for a creature of its size.

Ecology

Bandersnatches are consummate and adaptive hunters who pursue only the biggest or most cunning prey for sport, and pursue them without fear, rest, or remorse. They ambush prey while hidden by trees, savaging them, then running away again, gradually wearing prey down. If outmatched, the bandersnatch quickly withdraws, then picks up their trail and waits as pursuers separate from their allies to pick them off one by one.

Bandersnatches are native to the First World, and it is unknown if they were deliberately or accidentally released to the Universe by the fey. In the Universe, bandersnatches are extremely rare and lair in forgotten ancient forests.

Each bandersnatch only mates at most twice per century. The couple separates as soon as they mate, and each litter contains up to two kittens. The mother remains to protect the litter for only a year before abandoning them to their own fates. Bandersnatches can live for millennia.

Variants

Though no bandersnatch is ordinary, some are rarer than others.

• Confounding bandersnatches have quills and claws that drip with infectious madness.
• Frumious bandersnatches brim with rage so fierce it burns.
• Magicbane bandersnatches radiate an antimagic aura.
• Primal bandersnatches retain their links to the First World.

References

For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.

External links

• Bandersnatch (real-world fictional creature) on Wikipedia