The Giant Lynx for 5E
One of the nifty aspects of the AD&D Monster Manual might be missed by a less-than-careful reading.
“Really?” you say. “And what might that nifty aspect be?”
Yes, really, and good question. Of course, we all know that the Monster Manual includes giant animals. There are giant ants, giant beetles, giant gars, giant pikes, giant slugs, giant turtles, and more. A few of these over-sized animals have intelligences approaching or even exceeding human average. Some of this might be due to the influence of J. R. R. Tolkien. Giant eagles, for example, have Average intelligence. Worgs and giant spiders have Low intelligence. In a decidedly non-Tolkien move, giant beavers are Low to Average.
And then there’s the giant lynx, which is Very intelligent. In numerical terms, that’s an 11-12 Intelligence, compared to 8-10 for Average.
Back in the day, when I DMed AD&D, yes, I did use giant lynxes at least once. I don’t recall many of the details, but I’m pretty sure the PCs had to negotiate with the canny arctic feline for something related to the adventure. When I DMed in high school, I was on a mission to use every single monster in the Monster Manual (I and II) and Fiend Folio in an adventure somehow. I never achieved that goal, but not for lack of trying. For example, I made a jungle ruin-crawl adventure that included every single plant and fungus monster from the Monster Manual. Also, there was a mind flayer. I guess it was the gardener.
Even farther back in more distant days, Theophrastus (circa 320 B.C. or thereabouts), wrote about lynx stones in his On Stones, an ancient text about stones. On Stones was used by mineralogists for centuries. A lynx stone forms when lynx urine hardens into a stone-like substance. Since the lynx doesn’t want humans taking its lynx stones, the clever beast buries its urine.
Theophrastus says the lynx stone attracts straw, wood, copper, and iron. The urine of tame lynxes doesn’t produce lynx stones, nor does the urine of female lynxes, tame or otherwise. Ovid, Pliny the Elder, and Isidore of Seville all confirm the existence and origin of lynx stones, although Pliny and Isidore call the substance lynx water. Pliny and Isidore also note that lynxes know this happens. According to Pliny, lynxes cover their urine to speed up the solidification process. Isidore says lynxes bury their urine because they are naturally jealous and don’t want humans owning lynx stones.
So, obviously, if motivated by knowledge and jealously, lynxes must be intelligent, maybe even Very intelligent.
Giant Lynx
Medium monstrosity, neutral
Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points 22 (4d8+4)
Speed 30 ft.
STR 12 (+1), DEX 17 (+3), CON 12 (+1), INT 12 (+1), WIS 14 (+2), CHA 10 (+0)
Skills Athletics +3, Perception +4, Stealth +5
Damage Resistances cold
Senses passive Perception 14
Languages Giant Lynx
Challenge 1 (200 XP)
Aggressive. As a bonus action, the giant lynx can move up to its speed toward a hostile creature that it can see.
Pounce. If the giant lynx moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature and then hits it with a claw attack on the same turn, that target must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, the giant lynx can make one bite attack against it as a bonus action.
Keen Hearing and Sight. The giant lynx has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing and sight.
Running Leap. With a 10-foot running start, the giant lynx can leap up to 15 feet.
Snow Camouflage. The giant lynx has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide in snowy terrain.
Actions
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6+3) piercing damage.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4+3) slashing damage.
