Today’s game sets the speed record so far. It’s the 2014 edition of Cat, & I was done chargen before I finished my oatmeal this morning.

All of the characters in Cat are house cats who protect their humans from supernatural threats that only animals can perceive. Most often these are malevolent spirits called boggins. A cat has six traits: Claws (fighting & climbing), Coat (part armor & part tool for persuasion), Face (perception), Fangs (fighting & carrying), Legs (jumping, balance, dodging), & Tail (magic). One of these traits is rated Best (5), three as Strong (4), & three as Good (3).

Claws – Good (3), Coat – Best (5), Face – Strong (4), Fangs – Strong (4), Legs – Good (3), Tail – Strong (4)

Every cat has three names: one given by humans, one used among friends, & one secret name. That last one is important; learning a secret name gives a boggin dangerous power over the cat. Our hero is a big, chonky, swirl tabby Maine Coon cat. His human named him after her great-granduncle, a Downeast sea captain. His friends won’t let him live down that time he just sat there & watched a mouse run right across his own outstretched legs. His secret name speaks to his overall shape: he’s a built like a cinderblock, so rectangular that even his face nearly a cube.

Names: Amasa Hutchin, Watchmouse, Foursquare

Cats also have Reputations. These are what a cat is particularly known for, whether among humans, other cats, or foes like dogs & boggins. A cat has 7 points to divide among Reputations, whether that’s one point in seven, seven in one, or some other distribution. Amasa is best known for his avuncular attitude toward the other cats in the household. He’s always on the lookout for strange people or animals, & he’s extremely vocal when there’s something to raise the alarm about. Of course he’s extremely vocal about everything else too, so it can be hard to know if he’s got something meaningful to tell you or he’s just roaming around the house talking to himself.

Caretaker 3, Watchful 2, Eloquent 2

The last detail is number of lives remaining. The game presumes that you haven’t burnt through any before play begins, so all cats start with a full complement of nine lives.

That’s it! Now get up there on the fridge & pretend to doze off while you keep a sharp ear out.

Name: Amasa Hutchin
Name: Watchmouse
Name: Foursquare
Lives: 9

Reputations: Caretaker 3, Watchful 2, Eloquent 2

Traits: Claws – Good (3), Coat – Best (5), Face – Strong (4), Fangs – Strong (4), Legs – Good (3), Tail – Strong (4)