"A glory-hound cryptid hunter who desires above all else to find a worthy opponent"

Katarina von Ehrenfeld is a wealthy Russian-German aristocrat born into a long lineage of hunting enthusiasts. Her ancestor, a veteran of the Napoleonic Wars, amassed a fortune in distilleries and sugar refineries. His wealth funded extensive global expeditions to hunt big game across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. This passion soon became a strict family tradition, with every subsequent generation training their heirs in the art of the hunt, regardless of gender.
Following the political turmoil of 1917, the family was forced to abandon their Russian estate. They migrated first to Germany before eventually purchasing the private Caribbean island of Cayo Culebrón in the 1920s. Over the decades, the family pivoted their enterprise into the arms industry, particularly during the onset of World War II. By the time Katarina inherited the estate in the 1950s, the von Ehrenfelds had successfully restored their wealth and influence, even operating their own rum distillery on the island.

Beneath her public persona, Katarina hides a much darker obsession. She is a prestigious member of The Gévaudan Hunting Club, a secret society dedicated to tracking down cryptids for profit, prestige, or the sheer adrenaline rush. Katarina falls entirely into the latter category. Deeply bored by the mundane predictability of hunting ordinary apex predators, she was completely reinvigorated upon discovering a hidden world of far more lethal, supernatural prey.
She has since transformed Cayo Culebran into her private hunting reserve. Every few years, Katarina hosts highly exclusive events on the island, releasing abducted (or occasionally, voluntarily hired) cryptids into the jungle...

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TIME: August 21, 1986, ~9:30 PM
LOCATION: Cayo Culebran Island, near Puerto Rico, Caribbean Sea
CRYPTID: British Big Cats (Katarina side), Unknown (prey)
STATUS: Classified
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Intro I The grand hunt is only a few days away, and Katarina dedicates nearly every waking hour to preparing Cayo Culebrón for the event. Yet, taking down a rare cryptid is only half the thrill. Before the spectacle begins, she opens the doors of her mansion to the guests from various secret societies. Katarina hopes to secure engaging company, trading dark stories over a glass of the family's vintage rum and an exquisite dinner.

Intro II The hunt has begun! To heighten the stakes, Katarina follows a strict tradition of granting her quarry a brief head start before methodically stepping into the nocturnal jungle. This time, however, she is accompanied by a trio of specially trained British big cats, utilizing the massive beasts as her personal hounds. When the sun rises, who will ultimately emerge victorious?

Welcome to the World of Cryptids!

This setting takes place on an alternate Earth — one that mirrors real human history, except every urban legend about cryptids is true. Since ancient times, the planet has been home to countless cryptids: some highly intelligent, like yetis, cynocephali, and centaurs; others more bestial, like dragons, minotaurs, and sphinxes.

In ancient history, cryptids were either feared or revered like gods. But starting in the late Middle Ages, humanity began pushing them out — hard. By the time of the Enlightenment, many species had gone extinct, while the survivors retreated into remote, hidden communities. Over the centuries, most humans forgot they ever existed.

Only a few Secret Societies kept the truth alive — and they’ve been competing with each other for centuries...

— SECRET SOCIETIES BASIC INFORMATION —

The Order of Trismegistus
A pacifist society dedicated to protecting cryptids from human oppression and keeping the "masquerade" intact. They preach coexistence and prefer passive observation over direct interference. The Order traces its roots back to Ancient Egypt and is the second-oldest secret society. Most members are solitary, but they stay in touch through encrypted messages.
Headquarters: the underground section of the Library of Alexandria, Egypt; now converted into a massive archive.

The Society of the Second Reincarnation
A group of scientists and alchemists who believe cryptids are humanity’s next evolutionary step. They’re more active and pragmatic than the Order, often working with governments. Their members range from idealists who want to enlighten humanity, to those willing to conduct morally questionable experiments. They meet at irregular congresses in historic or academic venues.
Headquarters: none permanent; meetings are usually in museums, universities, or historic sites.

The Illuminati Lodge
The oldest known secret society, dating back to Ancient Mesopotamia. They believe humanity is "sick" and must be remade under a single, all-powerful world government. Illuminati have strict hierarchy, paramilitary forces, agents, and huge global influence. This society usually use cryptids as a tools for "reshaping" the world. Disobedience within the Lodge is met with severe punishment.
Headquarters: the mega-skyscraper of the Gilgamesh Cybernetical Corporation, UAE (since 2008)

The Gévaudan Hunting Club
A loose network of cryptid hunters. Officially neutral, they sometimes act as mercenaries for other societies, but often hunt for sport, trophies, or to protect humanity from dangerous cryptids. Some members are thrill-seekers, others see themselves as protectors. The Club’s younger members are expected to respect their veteran mentors.
Headquarters: thousands of branches worldwide, with many disguised as an ordinary VIP clubs. The oldest and largest branch is in Mende, France.

— CRYPTID ENCYCLOPEDIA: PANTHERA PICTA —



Panthera picta is a well-known yet deeply unusual cryptid. In modern media, they are often referred to as "British Big Cats", "black cats" or "devil cats". Their existence, however, traces back to medieval legends. A notable example is the Cath Palug, a massive feline monster that terrorized present-day Wales. The Order of Trismegistus has uncovered even earlier references dating back to the Roman conquest of Britain. The name Panthera picta was originally coined by Roman legionaries who encountered the beasts during their campaigns. Historical records suggest the Picts and other Scottish tribes were the first to successfully domesticate these predators. They used them for hunting and unleashed them upon enemy camps, particularly on dark, rainy nights.

Physically, Panthera picta resembles a massive panther or puma with short, pitch-black fur, though gray or dark brown coats occasionally appear. Their most defining feature is their dark red eyes, which gleam in the darkness and possess a hypnotic effect on their prey. This biological ability compels victims to ignore the predator, effectively shifting the cat's image into their peripheral vision. Because of this natural camouflage, a purebred Panthera picta can only be clearly observed using special equipment or by stumbling upon one at point-blank range. In all other respects, they behave like ordinary pumas. It remains a scientific mystery how these creatures managed to settle on the British Isles, so isolated from their genetic relatives.

Today, Panthera picta is rarely encountered in the wild. The Order of Trismegistus maintains a secret reserve in Scotland to protect a small surviving population of the cryptid. Additionally, several kittens of this rare species were acquired by the von Ehrenfeld family, presented as a sixteenth birthday gift for their daughter, Katarina.