Templated Animals

[Pinotage]

I'm looking at populating a wizard's mansion with various different forms of templated animals, probably a templated cat. Templates I've considered include spell-stitched skeletal cat, half stained-golem, swordwraith cat, and if anybody knows of one, cat shadows.

When you apply these templated to a cat, does the 1/2 d8 HD change to 1/2 D12? And, does the CR go from 1/4 to CR1 for a template that adds CR +1? Does anybody know of a template to change cats into shadows? Or bats into shadows? Any suggestions for other templates for cats that could be used in a wizard's house? Feral perhaps, but I'm looking at typical 'experimental' cats or undead cats of CRs no higher than 2 or possibly 3.

Thanks!

Pinotage

 

[Voadam]

Elemental or planar infused work so elemental ones from book of templates or fiendish/celestial ones are easy.

From the d20 arcane modern srd are liquefied zombies that have caustic goo inside and there is a ghoul template in the menace srd that would be nasty on a cat.

Epic srd has the alienist far realms thing but that bumps the CR up higher than you want to go

 

[RandomPrecision]

I think that would work for the HD and CR, but someone probably knows better than I - but even if that's not exactly how one's supposed to do it, it seems accurate.

As for templates, you might look at the alignment of the wizard. He might have fiendish or corrupted cats if he's evil, or anarchic cats if he's chaotic. Of course, half-dragons always make interesting cats too. Maybe the caster wanted eternal life for him and his cat, and even if he hasn't done it for himself yet/at all, his cat could have the lich template. And for you fans of extreme irony, maybe the cat is a wererat.

 

[Knight Otu]

I'm looking at populating a wizard's mansion with various different forms of templated animals, probably a templated cat. Templates I've considered include spell-stitched skeletal cat, half stained-golem, swordwraith cat, and if anybody knows of one, cat shadows.

For an "official" shadow template, use Umbral from Savage Species/Libris Mortis (and I think one Dragon mag.)

When you apply these templated to a cat, does the 1/2 d8 HD change to 1/2 D12?

That depends on the template, but for most "turn to undead" template, that is correct.

And, does the CR go from 1/4 to CR1 for a template that adds CR +1?

By the rules, yes. It would be 1 1/4, rounded down to 1. You might be best off to check the resulting creature again, as always.

Does anybody know of a template to change cats into shadows? Or bats into shadows?

As I said above, the umbral template should do the trick, if you have access to it..

Any suggestions for other templates for cats that could be used in a wizard's house? Feral perhaps, but I'm looking at typical 'experimental' cats or undead cats of CRs no higher than 2 or possibly 3.

The Eberron CS has magebred and horrid animal templates (though horrid can usually only applied to dire animals)
Monster Manual III has the spellwarped as a possibility, though I'm not too sure if it applies (and I don't remember being too impressed with the template anyway).
Amphisbaena from the Tome of Horrors II might also fit the bill.
Monstrous Beast, Gelatinous, Multiheaded and Winged from Savage Species?
Although many templates can be passed of as the result of experiments, of course.

 

[Pinotage]

As I said above, the umbral template should do the trick, if you have access to it..

The Eberron CS has magebred and horrid animal templates (though horrid can usually only applied to dire animals)
Monster Manual III has the spellwarped as a possibility, though I'm not too sure if it applies (and I don't remember being too impressed with the template anyway).
Amphisbaena from the Tome of Horrors II might also fit the bill.
Monstrous Beast, Gelatinous, Multiheaded and Winged from Savage Species?
Although many templates can be passed of as the result of experiments, of course.

Great! Thanks for all the answers!

Pinotage