Monster

Summary

Monster is a cat who serves as Katniss's companion in the campaign. Monster is controlled as a player character by Brad. The cat demonstrates practical utility through tracking capabilities using heightened senses and a character trait called "Hunt," responding to party members' commands throughout their adventures. Monster's small size and tendency to get cold means the cat frequently rides curled up on Cat's shoulder for warmth. Despite diminutive stature, Monster has proven essential to the party's success through both tracking abilities and perfectly-timed distractions using cuteness as a tactical weapon, leading the group to insist on professional care including spa treatments—though these have left Monster perpetually covered in fish oil with matted fur and an unfortunate smell. Monster becomes the center of a significant deception in Session 7 when Sucks Benedict falsely claims the kitten is a shapeshifter during negotiations with the Pine Cone Man, securing 45 coins but creating a potential future threat if the lie is discovered. During the party's infiltration of the New Smoke Foundry, Monster demonstrates both infiltration capabilities and concerning autonomy when acting beyond Cat's direct control inside the Guard Storage Shed, though later proves invaluable by executing a flawless distraction against Thunder Hogs pursuers.

Appearance

Monster is a cat completely covered in fish oil, a condition acquired from jumping into a vat in a previous session. The fish oil coating causes Monster to accumulate dirt and grime progressively as the cat walks on the ground. During Session 2, Monster is observed spending considerable time licking the fish oil off, though this appears to be an ongoing process rather than something quickly resolved.

History

Session 2

Monster accompanies the party to Dunko Guzman's apartment during the investigation. While the others enter the apartment, Monster stays outside, sitting on top of Carl the pig as Carl wanders away. During this time, Monster focuses primarily on licking the fish oil off rather than participating directly in the investigation.

When the party discovers a muddy boot print inside the apartment, Brad asks whether Monster can use the "Hunt" trait to track whoever left the print, suggesting the cat possesses mechanical tracking abilities.

Later, when Safia invites Monster to jump onto their shoulder, Monster responds to the command and complies. Monster participates in the party's stacked sneaking formation as they approach a location, positioned at the bottom of the formation with Monster's head at the lowest position and the other party members appearing to stack on top.

Monster bonds with a pig named Mayor during the session, establishing a connection between the cat and the porcine companion.

Session 3

Monster plays a supporting role in the party's efforts to deal with The Sniff Lord. When the party attempts to make a Dead Goose more attractive to the Sniff Lord's powerful sense of smell, Katniss employs Monster as a tool, rubbing the oil-covered cat on the goose "like a sponge" to transfer fish oil onto it.

During a separate moment in the session, Monster displays an unusual response when Safia considers shapeshifting into a rat. The pheromones Safia's body begins producing in response to this thought cause Monster to pant in anticipation, providing a comedic moment.

At the end of the session, Monster is referenced during alignment mechanics when the party discusses whether Vasso fulfilled his good alignment by protecting the weak. Brad identifies Monster as one of the weaker party members Vasso protected, a statement Dayna confirms.

Episode: "Session 4"

Monster played a pivotal tracking role when the party discovered The Frozen Nilik. After Brad prompted the cat to track the scent—"hey, monster, do you smell that? Where does that lead?"—Monster's nose began wiggling and the cat stood atop the nilik at the hilltop, then trotted away from the road into the wilderness. Cat rolled a 14 on Monster's tracking attempt, indicating strong success.

The pursuit led through rolling hills with forest stretching into the distance, Monster following the trail with determination. However, when the group reached The Frozen Waterfall and the frozen river, Monster lost the trail. The cat walked in circles, sniffing around confused, unable to determine where the scent had gone across the icy surface. After the failed tracking attempt in the cold, Monster ended up shivering on Cat's shoulder, curled up in a little ball in the crook of Cat's neck for warmth.

The party's insistence on Monster's importance led to negotiations with Louise Guzman that made Monster's spa treatment non-negotiable regardless of whether they completed Guzman's job. The massage itself became an elaborate affair: Monster received a towel wrapped around the head with tiny cucumbers over the eyes, and was massaged in a high-back chair with fish oil. The result was unfortunate—Monster's fur became matted and the cat stank afterward, replacing but not improving the fish oil condition from previous sessions.

When discussing payment distribution, the party established that "Monster doesn't get a share"—instead receiving only "the remainder of what's left over" since Monster doesn't count as a full person in their economic arrangements. Despite this, party members insisted on professional treatment for Monster, with one noting "the cat is the reason why you're probably going to be able to... I don't know" and "This cat's got to get massage because this cat's key to the success of this team."

Episode: "Session 6"

Monster appears during a theatrical moment following a lying demonstration. Cat holds Monster like a bouquet of flowers while taking a bow, treating the cat as a prop in the performance. Brad, controlling Monster, participates in this staged presentation, though the specific context of the lying demonstration and Monster's role in it beyond being a theatrical prop is not detailed.

Episode: "Session 7"

Monster accompanies the group throughout their activities in Session 7, continuing to cause persistent chaos. The group expresses concern about Monster's potential reaction to Safia's shapeshifting abilities, particularly whether the kitten would be frightened by witnessing the transformation. One participant notes that Monster "would likely be frightened by Safia's shapeshifting transformation, requiring Kat to physically restrain them." The group also worries about Monster's predatory instincts, with someone asking Safia, "If you turn into a rat, is monster gonna try and eat you?"

During negotiations with the Pine Cone Man, Sucks Benedict fabricates an elaborate lie about Monster's abilities. Sucks claims that "the kitten is also a shapeshifter, just so you know. So that the cat, the kitten monster, also needs to get 45 coins." The Pine Cone Man is immediately skeptical, squinting at Monster and telling Sucks, "You're lying." However, he ultimately decides to accept the claim provisionally, stating: "In the interest of new endeavors, say I believe you. Say, I pay the cat. I am not a man that appreciates being lied to. And if I find out at any point that this cat is not a shapeshifter, your head be it." This deception secures 45 coins for Monster but creates a dangerous future complication.

As part of the payment negotiations, Kat successfully secures a monkey-sized hood for Monster, adding to the kitten's equipment.

Episode: "Session 8"

Monster is assigned a surveillance task when Cat needs to keep watch on the suspicious Brusque. As Cat describes: "But first she sets monster somewhere where monster can watch this guy because he's being suspicious."

While Monster maintains watch over Brusque, Cat investigates the local market for a chariot that the pig could potentially pull. The merchants Cat consults inform them that single-pig chariots are not a practical commercial product, as the strength demands of chariot operation typically require more pulling power than a single pig can provide.

Episode: "Session 9"

Monster participates in the party's infiltration of the guard storage shed at the New Smoke Foundry. When the group discusses strategies for tracking Yassandra if needed, Brad proposes utilizing Monster's tracking abilities: "Monster might be able to track my scent to find this guy."

During the infiltration operation, Monster rushes into the Guard Storage Shed behind guard Doug's legs just before the door slams shut, entering alongside Safia who has taken rat form. Once inside, Monster follows the guards down a staircase that descends underground into lamp-lit darkness beneath the foundry. At this point, Cat loses control of Monster's actions, indicating the companion operates independently within the facility—a significant development showing Monster's autonomous decision-making capabilities in high-stakes situations.

Episode: "Session 10"

During the Session 10 infiltration of the foundry area, Monster accompanies Safia (in rat form) into the supply shed near the market. When Thunder Hogs members pursue Safia, Cat employs the hand signals they've been teaching Monster to coordinate a distraction. Though the GM initially expresses skepticism that "cuteness is going to be a huge aid in this situation," the players argue the Thunder Hogs might prove "anything like the barbershop quartet," potentially susceptible to such tactics.

Monster executes the distraction flawlessly, rolling a 12 on the follower 'do their thing' move—the best possible result in Dungeon World. The GM describes "a real kind of slapstick looking situation" with both Thunder Hogs bent over attempting to grab Safia when Monster scurries into view. Both pursuers immediately abandon their chase, saying "aww, what are you the. What is going on here tonight?" and "oh, come here, come here," becoming completely captivated by the cat's natural adorable quality, compared by the GM to Antonio Banderas. The distraction proves so effective that Safia escapes cleanly, with one player noting "the cat'll get the keys too."

Episode: "Session 11"

Monster executes two successful distraction operations during the party's infiltration of the Underground Thunderhog Facility. In the first instance, Kat sends Monster into a hallway where a Tall Muscular Guard is stationed. The guard immediately notices the cat and becomes distracted, asking "Oh, who's this? Where'd you come from, little guy? Are you lost? You lost, little guy?" This distraction creates the opening Sucks needs to execute a backstab attack against the guard.

Later, Monster performs a second distraction in The Assembly Hall, which is filled with armed Thunderhog Gang members. Kat deploys Monster into the room, and the cat "trots into the room" to immediate effect. The gangsters react with "oh, cat. What the hell?" and quickly cluster together as "One of them picks up the cat, and then they all kind of cluster together to coo and pet monster." This adorable distraction successfully diverts the Thunderhogs' attention away from the party's approach to the dressing room where the mayor is being held. Monster rolls a 10 on this distraction attempt, achieving a strong success.

After the party escapes the facility, there is concern about Monster's whereabouts. One party member notes "It's okay. We can't leave anyway. We need to get Monster Pack," though another observes that "Monster knows where we're. Wait, wait. Where are we staying?" indicating the cat has some awareness of the party's location.

Key Attributes

Hunt trait: A character ability that allows Monster to potentially track individuals, such as the person who left the muddy boot print in Dunko Guzman's apartment
Superior stealth abilities: Noted for exceptional stealth capabilities during the party's sneaking approach
Companion relationship: Serves as Katniss's companion throughout the campaign
Responsive to commands: Demonstrates obedience to party members' instructions
Bond with Mayor: Forms a connection with the pig character during Session 2
Physical condition: Remains covered in fish oil throughout multiple sessions, progressively accumulating dirt as the cat moves

Shapeshifter Deception: Sucks Benedict falsely claims Monster can shapeshift to secure payment from the Pine Cone Man, who threatens violence if the lie is discovered
Monkey-sized Hood: Obtained during Session 7 negotiations with the Pine Cone Man
Infiltration capability: Small and agile enough to slip through closing doors alongside other creatures during covert operations
Independent action: Capable of operating autonomously beyond Cat's direct control, making independent decisions in dangerous situations
Hand signal training: Responds to hand signals taught by Cat for coordinated tactical maneuvers
Irresistible cuteness: Natural feline charm described by GM as comparable to Antonio Banderas, capable of completely distracting even hardened criminals