Cogtail the Gearspark
Small Construct (Tabaxi), Neutral Good
Armor Class: 14 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points: 18 (4d6)
Speed: 30 ft., climb 20 ft.
Challenge Rating: 0 (10 XP)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 15 | 12 | 16 | 14 | 10 |
Saving Throws: Strength +0, Dexterity +2, Constitution +1, Intelligence +3, Wisdom +2
Skills: Acrobatics +4, Investigation +5, Perception +4, Performance +2, Sleight of Hand +4
Damage Vulnerabilities: Fire damage
Damage Resistances: Poison damage; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from non-magical attacks
Damage Immunities: Charmed, frightened
Condition Immunities: Deafened, blinded
Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14, tremorsense 10 ft.
Languages: Common, Tabaxi, understands Gnomish
Spellcasting
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Actions & Abilities
Whirring Claw: *Melee Weapon Attack:* +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. *Hit:* 1d4 + 2 slashing damage. The Cogtail attempts to swipe at the target with its agile claws, utilizing both speed and precision.
Playful Distraction: The Cogtail can activate one of its mechanical minions: – **Clockwork Mouse:** The mouse squeaks and runs towards a creature within 30 feet. The target must succeed on a DC 12 Wisdom saving throw or be distracted, granting advantage to the next attack roll made against it before the end of Cogtail’s next turn. – **Wind-up Bird:** The bird flits about, producing cheerful sounds that enthrall creatures within 10 feet. Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 12 Wisdom saving throw or have disadvantage on their next Wisdom save before the end of their next turn.
Steam Burst (Recharge 5-6): The Cogtail releases a cloud of thick steam in a 20-foot radius sphere centered on itself. The area is heavily obscured until the end of Cogtail’s next turn. Creatures within the area must succeed on a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw or have their speed halved until the end of their next turn. Cogtail can use this moment to escape or reposition himself.
Tinker’s Intuition (Recharge 3-6): As a bonus action, the Cogtail can identify the purpose or function of a mechanical object or device within a 30-foot radius. This action grants insight into how to use, dismantle, or repair the object, providing the party with helpful hints for puzzles or traps involving machinery.
Inventive Assistance (Recharge 4-6): When an ally within 30 feet is making an ability check to craft or repair an object, Cogtail can grant them advantage on that check. Each time the action is called upon, it can be described as Cogtail sharing swift ideas or clever tricks acquired through years of tinkering.
Nimble Escape: When the Cogtail is targeted with an attack, it can use its reaction to make a Dexterity saving throw (DC 12). On success, it can move up to half its speed without provoking opportunity attacks.
Appearance
In the heart of a whimsical world, Cogtail the Gearspark Tabaxi emerges—a striking figure that encapsulates a dance between the organic and mechanical. Standing at a petite 3.5 feet tall, Cogtail’s slender, agile body boasts an elegant silhouette that hints at both grace and mischief. With its impressively long and coiled tail, it balances effortlessly, the tail itself a lively appendage that sways and curls, expressing emotion as much as any sweeping gesture.
The fur of Cogtail is a radiant tapestry of amber and deep bronze, distinguished by intricate swirling patterns reminiscent of polished gears. These metallic designs glisten subtly, catching the light and creating an enchanting shimmer that draws the eye. Accents of iridescent copper highlight its edges, lending a soft glow that enhances its steampunk allure.
As one gazes closer, the textures of Cogtail’s fur reveal their own secrets. The soft velvet fur, a delight to the touch, is laced with areas where the texture shifts to a cool, metallic sheen—particularly along its back and defining mechanical features. These unique surfaces create a tactile contrast that is both inviting and intriguing.
Cogtail’s face is a canvas of curiosity and charm. Large, expressive eyes glimmer with a warm mix of golden and copper hues, drawing others into its playful world. A delicate gear-shaped marking resides symmetrically between its eyes, asserting a whimsical distinction among feline features. The friendly grin and well-aligned teeth enhance the creature’s approachable essence, while tufts at the tips of its ears add to its feline grace.
The limbs are finely defined and agile, designed for nimble movements. Its paws, adorned with retractable claws, allow for impressive climbing capabilities and deft manipulation of delicate objects. Interwoven with fur around the joints, tiny gears function as miniature tools, embodying the perfect blend of form and function. The long, lively tail reaffirms Cogtail’s playful demeanor, often animatedly curling and unfurling in response to its curious surroundings.
Cogtail’s posture is upright and confident, moving with an effortless grace that makes each leap and twist a captivating performance in mid-air. Bursts of steam escape from fine vents behind its ears and at the wrists, trailing behind it like a whimsical cloud, hinting at the machine-like essence that fuels its vibrant personality.
Special features amplify its allure—bioluminescent markings pulse gently with its heartbeat, illuminating the fur with a soft glow that enchants in dim light. Luminous goggles, perched jauntily on its forehead, shift colors in conjunction with its tasks, offering glimpses into its creative mind.
Together, these elements create a dynamic representation of Cogtail the Gearspark Tabaxi—a playful embodiment of whimsical engineering, ready to leap into action with liveliness and charm against a solid white backdrop.
Tactical Information
Tactical Information for Cogtail the Gearspark Tabaxi
Behavior in Day-to-Day Life
In the bustling streets of Cogport, Cogtail the Gearspark Tabaxi can often be found weaving through alleys and markets, his inquisitive nature driving him to engage with all manner of gadgets and gizmos. Known among the locals for his skill in crafting whimsical inventions, Cogtail thrives on both the curiosity it curates within him and the joy his creations bring to others. He spends his days collecting scraps from bustling marketplaces, often swapping them for stories or other inventive baubles.
Motivated by a love for creativity and companionship, Cogtail is social and approachable, frequently seen conversing with artisans and apprentices keen on learning the art of invention. When not engaged in crafting, he’s often encouraging children or fellow Tabaxi to explore the intersections of nature and technology, helping them to create small contraptions that inspire wonder. His playful interactions with his mechanical minions—the Clockwork Mouse and Wind-up Bird—are a common sight, as he delights in showcasing their abilities.
While attentive to the balance of nature, Cogtail’s affinity for gadgets fosters a healthy respect for the potential dangers of unchecked machinery. As such, he often advises restraint to those eager to innovate, reminding them that each creation can hold both promise and peril. When faced with adversity or disinterest from his peers, he can show a fleeting vulnerability that suggests his past struggles with envy from others in his kin.
Combat Behavior
Though typically non-hostile, when Cogtail is forced into combat, his approach is characterized by careful, calculated evasion rather than brute force. His unique abilities and upbringing as an artificer align him with a one-man strategy reminiscent of a mechanical ballet—each move intentional and fluid.
Understanding the unpredictability of conflict, he begins encounters by observing from a distance, usually initiating with a puff of steam to obscure his movements. He prefers to flank enemies and leverage his agility, using the environment to leap over obstacles or retreat when necessary. In the chaos of combat, Cogtail employs his Mechanical Minions to distract and confuse foes. The Clockwork Mouse can dart between the legs of unsuspecting opponents, drawing their attention away, while the Wind-up Bird creates a cacophony that distracts and disorients, affecting their ability to focus.
Should the tide of battle turn unfavorably, Cogtail’s instinct is to evade rather than confront directly. Utilizing his Steam Burst, he can obscure the area and slip away, avoiding confrontation. However, if pressed into a corner, he may focus on incapacitating spellcasters or ranged attackers, recognizing that disabling their abilities is key to survival.
Contrary to most combatants, Cogtail’s wispy form, enhanced with mechanical prowess, makes him resilient to damage, though he typically lacks raw offensive capabilities. His strength lies in the art of avoidance, thus his tactics often lean towards misdirection and stealth, capitalizing on the bewildering nature of his steampunk world.
Roleplay/Narrative Interactions
In narrative encounters, Cogtail delights in diplomacy and camaraderie, often welcoming adventurers with playful banter and curiosity about their own inventions or experiences. His shimmering eyes reveal a whimsical spirit, and he communicates with an animated tone, gesturing toward crafts or ideas that spark his interest. Should strangers approach him with goodwill, he’ll likely reciprocate with stories from his past, sharing insights on how creativity can inspire grandeur and chaos alike.
When confronted with aggression or hostility, Cogtail becomes wary but does not immediately flee. Instead, he would attempt to engage any would-be attackers with charm, often suggesting that they might reach a better understanding through negotiation. His kit of whimsical mechanical devices could be offered to mend broken trust or showcase potential—an offer to create fascinating inventions in exchange for safe passage or information.
If cornered, he is likely to show a mix of mischief and a touch of cunning, perhaps proposing a game or a challenge to intrigue or distract whoever holds him at bay. His genuine concern for the well-being of others drives him to negotiate, and he would readily offer a mechanical creation as a bribe if he believed it would help him escape a dire situation.
In summary, Cogtail the Gearspark Tabaxi embodies both an energetic spirit and resourceful adaptability, melding creativity with a healthy respect for caution. His life among the gears and levers of Cogport allows him to embody the delicate dance of engineer and artist—inviting adventurers into a world where innovation and feline grace entwine.
