Snow Leopards The snow leopard, an elusive and majestic creature, is a medium-sized cat renowned for its striking coat of thick, white to smoky-gray fur, embellished with black spots and rosettes. Residing in the unforgiving mountain ranges, this creature is the epitome of endurance and grace. It possesses a robust body adapted for the harsh cold and rugged terrain, with wide, fur-covered feet that act as natural snowshoes and a long, furry tail for balance. Snow leopards are solitary, nocturnal creatures with extraordinary climbing and leaping abilities, making them formidable hunters. They can easily cover vast distances, leaping up to 50 feet in a single bound. Despite their size, snow leopards are extraordinarily stealthy, using their camouflaging coat to blend into the rocky terrain and patiently stalk their prey. 1 Snow Leopard Medium beast, unaligned Armor Class 13 Hit Points 13 (2d8 + 4) Speed 40 ft., climb 30 ft. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 14 (+2) 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 4 (-3) 14 (+2) 10 (0) Skills Perception +4, Stealth +5 Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14. Challenge 1/2 (100 XP) Proficiency Bonus +2 Keen Sight. The snow leopard has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight. Ghost of the Mountains. The snow leopard has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide in snowy or mountainous terrain and may do so even if it is only lightly obscured while in such terrain. Pounce. If the snow leopard jumps at least 10 feet straight towards a creature and then hits it with a claw attack on the same turn, the target must succeed on a DC 12 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. Mountainous Traversal. The snow leopard's maximum long jump is 30 feet, its maximum high jump is 10 feet, and it has resistance to fall damage. Actions Multiattack. The snow leopard makes two attacks: one with its bite and one with its claws. If both attacks hit, the snow leopard automatically grapples its target (escape DC 12). Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage. If the target is prone, it deals 9 (2d6+2) piercing damage instead. Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) slashing damage.
Adapted for life in a cold, high altitude environment, they have smaller ears and a shorter muzzle to minimize heat loss, as well as large nasal cavities to warm the frigid air before it reaches their lungs. Their long, flexible tails not only aid in maintaining balance on narrow mountain ledges but also double as a cozy blanket, wrapping around their bodies to shield them from the cold. Snow leopards are ambush hunters that prey on large mountain mammals of the mountains. Their agility enables them to navigate their rocky environment and quickly leap onto unsuspecting targets in the blink of an eye. Their physiology allows them to traverse many levels of mountain elevation in their search for their next meal, from alpine peaks to forested valleys. Dire Snow Leopards Dire snow leopards are a larger, more formidable variant of the ordinary snow leopard. Unlike their regular counterparts, Dire snow leopards can grow to the size of a small horse, while maintaining the agility and grace inherent to their species. They retain the solitary and nocturnal habits of their smaller kin. However, their physical prowess and hunting abilities are vastly superior. Capable of leaping extraordinary distances and climbing sheer cliff faces, they are fearsome predators that can take down prey much larger than themselves. Dire snow leopards are embedded in the local folklore of the regions they inhabit. They are revered as symbols of strength and resilience, often depicted as guardians of the mountains. Their elusive nature and striking appearance have contributed to numerous legends and tales, wherein a sighting of a dire snow leopard is considered a sign of good fortune or a harbinger of significant change. 2 Dire Snow Leopard Large beast, unaligned Armor Class 13 Hit Points 42 (5d10 + 15) Speed 40 ft., climb 30 ft. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 19 (+4) 16 (+3) 16 (+3) 4 (-3) 14 (+2) 10 (0) Skills Perception +4 Stealth +5 Senses darkvision 60 ft. passive Perception 14 Challenge 3 (700 XP) Proficiency Bonus +2 Keen Sight. The snow leopard has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight. Ghost of the Mountains. The snow leopard has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide in snowy or mountainous terrain and may do so even if it is only lightly obscured while in such terrain Pounce. If the snow leopard jumps at least 10 feet straight towards a creature and then hits it with a claw attack on the same turn, the target must succeed on a DC 14 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. Mountainous Traversal. The snow leopard's maximum long jump is 40 feet, its maximum high jump is 15 feet, and it has resistance to fall damage. Actions Multiattack. The snow leopard makes two attacks: one with its bite and one with its claws. If both attacks hit, the snow leopard automatically grapples its target (escape DC 14). Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) piercing damage. If the target is prone, it deals 23 (4d8+4) piercing damage instead. Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (1d12 + 4) slashing damage.
Frost Saber Leopards Frost saber leopards, like their non-magical kin, are solitary creatures, stalking the icy wilderness with a graceful yet deadly intent. Their hunting prowess is unrivaled due to their unique icy magic. Frost saber leopards possess a supernatural cunning and an innate desire to destroy evil. In the wild, they hunt hunt wicked monsters for sport, and even deadly monsters such as trolls and manticores aren’t safe from their predations. When a frost saber leopard strikes, its claws sap the strength and vitality of its prey, rendering them weak and more susceptible to the effects of their deadly bite. The fangs of these magical beasts are infused with a potent frost magic that freezes the blood of their victims, causing debilitating slowness and preventing wounds from healing. This combination of abilities makes the Frost Saber Leopard a terrifyingly efficient predator. Frost saber leopards are steeped in the myths and legends of the regions they inhabit. They are often depicted as the chosen guardians of ancient ice deities, their very presence considered an omen of significant events or changes. The chilling beauty of their icy fangs and claws has inspired countless tales, while their unique hunting abilities have made them subjects of awe and fear. The priests and druids of some cultures are even able to summon frost saber leopards so they may serve as gaurdians in times of need. These noble beasts fight alongside their humanoid allies in service of the greater cause they pursue together. 3 Frost Saber Leopard Large monstrosity, chaotic good Armor Class 18 (natural armor) Hit Points 105 (10d10 + 50) Speed 60 ft., climb 50 ft. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 20 (+5) 20 (+5) 20 (+5) 8 (-1) 18 (+4) 16 (+3) Saving Throws Str + 9, Dex + 9, Con + 9 Skills Perception +8, Stealth +9 Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical weapons Damage Immunity Cold Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 18 Challenge 10 (700 XP) Proficiency Bonus +4 Keen Sight. The frost saber has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight. Ghost of the Mountains. The frost saber has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide in snowy or mountainous terrain and may do so even if it is only lightly obscured while in such terrain. Pounce. If the frost saber jumps at least 10 feet straight towards a creature and then hits it with a claw attack on the same turn, the target must succeed on a DC 17 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. Mountainous Traversal. The frost saber's maximum long jump is 50 feet, its maximum high jump is 25 feet, and it has resistance to fall damage. Snow Strider. The frost saber ignores difficult terrain and slipping hazards caused by ice and snow. Actions Multiattack. The frost saber makes two attacks: one with its bite and one with its claws. If both attacks hit, the frost saber automatically grapples its target (escape DC 17). Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (2d12 + 5) piercing damage plus 14 (4d6) cold damage instead. If the target is prone, it deals 31 (4d12+5) piercing damage plus 28 (8d6) cold damage instead. If the target is a creature, it must make a DC 17 Constitution saving throw, on failed saving throw its blood is chilled unless it is immune to cold damage. While chilled the target has disadvantage on Strength and Dexterity saving throws, checks, attacks, it's speed is halved and it can’t regain hit points. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If the target takes any fire damage effect also ends. Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (2d10 + 5) slashing damage plus 10 (3d6) cold damage. If the target is a creature, it has disadvantage on Constitution saving throws until the end of the turn unless it is immune to cold damage. Reactions Uncanny Dodge. The frost saber halves the damage that it takes from an attack that hits it. The frost saber must be able to see the attacker.
Snow Leopard Adventure Hooks d6 Plot Hook 1 Guardians of the Sacred Grove: Local legends tell of a sacred grove, protected by a group of snow leopards. Recently, these leopards have started attacking nearby villages. The adventurers are asked to find out why the leopards are acting out of character, leading to a plot involving a polluted water source affecting the grove. 2 The Snow Leopard Totem: An enchanted totem that controls snow leopards has fallen into the wrong hands. Bandits are using it to terrorize the locals and protect their hideout. The party must infiltrate the hideout, neutralize the totem, and free the leopards from the bandits' control. 3 The Snow Leopard's Prey: A dire snow leopard has developed a taste for livestock, and the locals are growing desperate. The party is hired to track and drive the beast back into the wilderness. However, they soon discover that the leopard's increased aggression might be linked to an even greater danger. 4 The Legend of the Leopard: An ancient prophecy tells of a dire snow leopard appearing when a great disaster is about to befall. With recent sightings of such a beast, the local inhabitants are in a state of panic. The adventurers must investigate, uncovering the looming disaster and finding a way to prevent it. 5 The Cursed Claws: A frost saber leopard has been corrupted by a dark curse and its icy magic has grown out of control, threatening nearby villages. The players must find a way to lift the curse and save the leopard and the villages from a deadly, ever-expanding winter. 6 The Frost Saber Mystery: A frost saber leopard has been spotted for the first time in centuries, far from its natural habitat, causing panic and fear among the locals. The adventurers must unravel why the magical creature has descended from its glacial realms, discovering a plot involving a rogue wizard attempting to control the powerful creature. Snow Leopard Tactics Snow leopards are skilled ambush predators that, while capable of inflicting high damage, have comparatively low health. These creatures carefully choose their battles, engaging only when they can launch an ambush or when a target is isolated, preferably both. They steer clear of combat in other situations. When a snow leopard does enter combat, it won't hesitate to retreat if the circumstances turn unfavorable. Indications for this could be when its health drops below half or when its initial ambush fails to knock the target prone or secure it in a grapple. Frost Saber Leopards Frost sabers use more of the same tactics. Their decision to either flee or continue fighting is influenced by the effectiveness of their bite’s chilling effect. If a target succumbs to its icy bite, the frost saber will be more likely to stay engaged in the battle to finish off the debilitated target. 4
Snow Leopard Loot The valuable items looted from snow leopards will generally come from whatever can be harvested from them. This harvesting can usually be done using a Wisdom (Survival) or Intelligence (Nature) check. However, you may allow players proficient with specific tools to harvest items related to that tool. For example, a character might make a Wisdom (Leathworker’s Tools) check to harvest hide. Alternatively, you can roll for the loot randomly using a flat modifier. Snow Leopard Loot Tables The following tables describe the number of items and value of those items the players are able to loot depending on the result of their check or the results of your roll. If they're making checks, you can have them make a separate check for each creature they're looting or use one check for multiple creatures at once to save time. Snow Leopard Loot Table Looting Check Result or 1d20 + 3 Loot 1-7 1 1gp Items 8-14 1d4(2) 1gp Items 15-20 1d6(3) 1gp Items 21+ 2d4(5) 1gp Items Dire Snow Leopard Loot Table Looting Check Result or 1d20 + 3 Loot 1-6 1d4(2) 1gp Items 7-11 2d4(5) 1gp Items 12-17 2d6(7) 1gp Items 18-21 2d6(7) 1gp Items & 1 10gp Item 22+ 2d6(7) 1gp Items & 2d4(2) 10gp Items Frost Saber Leopard Table Looting Check Result or 1d20 + 5 Loot 1-6 1d6(3) 10gp Items 7-11 2d6(7) 10gp Items 12-17 3d6(10) 10gp Items 18-21 3d6(10) 10gp Items & 1 200gp Item 22+ 3d6(10) 10gp Items & 2d4(2) 200gp Items Art Credit Stamp of Tajikistan - 2020 Mist Leopard - John Matson, Wizards of the Coast Twilight Panther - Uriah Voth, Wizards of the Coast Mountain - Samuele Bandini, Wizards of the Coast Stamp of Tajikistan - 1993 Example Snow Leopard Loot Names You can give the different types of items unique names based on their material and value to help differentiate them from one another. The following tables provide some example names. Example Snow Leopard Item Names 1d4 1gp Item 10gp Item 1 (Bone) Snow Leopard Bone Dire Snow Leopard Skull 2 (Flesh) Snow Leopard Meat Dire Snow Leopard Heart 3 (Fluid) Snow Leopard Blood Dire Snow Leopard Heart Blood 4 (Hide) Snow Leopard Hide Complete Dire Snow Leopard Hide Example Frost Saber Leopard Item Names 1d4 10gp Item 200gp Item 1 (Bone) Frost Saber Bone Frost Saber Skull 2 (Flesh) Frost Saber Meat Frost Saber Heart 3 (Fluid) Frost Saber Blood Frost Saber Heart Blood 4 (Hide) Frost Saber Hide Frost Saber Enchanted Hide 5 This is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
Change Log 1.0.0 Document release This is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.