Buy me a coffeeJackal
“Unleash the Cunning and Stealth of the Enigmatic Jackal – Nature’s Crafty Scavenger of the Desert Shadows!”
Appearance: The Jackal, a creature of the twilight, dons a sleek coat of sandy fur that camouflages seamlessly with the arid desert landscape. Its sharp, pointed ears stand tall, attentive to the slightest rustle, while keen amber eyes gleam with intelligence. Nimble and slender, the Jackal moves with a grace that belies its cunning nature.
Behavior: A master of adaptation, the Jackal thrives on both cooperation and solo ventures. In packs, they showcase a complex social structure, sharing responsibilities in hunting and raising their young. As opportunistic scavengers, solitary Jackals navigate the night with stealthy precision, exploiting the vulnerabilities of the nocturnal world.
Habitat: Preferring the vast deserts and open plains, Jackals are resilient wanderers, making their homes amidst dunes and rocky outcrops. Their keen ability to endure extreme temperatures allows them to carve a niche in arid landscapes, though they may also venture into grasslands and scrublands in search of sustenance.
Modus Operandi: Known for their cunning, Jackals employ an array of tactics for survival. Swift and stealthy, they stalk prey silently, relying on teamwork to surround and overwhelm larger animals. In moments of scarcity, their adept scavenging skills come to the forefront, allowing them to exploit the remnants of other predators’ kills.
Motivation: The Jackal’s motivation revolves around the perpetual pursuit of sustenance and the preservation of its pack. Mating pairs engage in intricate rituals, reinforcing the bonds within the community. As adaptable survivors, their motivation stems from the desire to navigate the ever-changing challenges of the desert environment.
Jackal 5e
Jackal Pathfinder
Jackal
Small beast, unaligned
Armor Class 12
Hit Points 9 (2d6 + 2)
Speed 40 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 (0) | 14 (+2) | 12 (+1) | 3 (-4) | 12 (+1) | 7 (-2) |
Skills Perception +3, Stealth +4
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 13
Languages —
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)
Keen Hearing and Smell. The jackal has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.
Actions
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 11 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Pack Tactics. The jackal has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the jackal’s allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.
Optional Regional Effects
Within a mile of a jackal’s presence, the desert terrain takes on an almost eerie resonance, with creatures allied with the jackal gaining advantage on Stealth checks. This effect represents the silent cooperation and adaptability of the jackal in its natural environment.
This sandy-colored canine resembles a slender-bodied wolf with short, graceful legs. It watches with dark brown eyes.
Jackal CR 1/2
XP 200
N Small animal
Init +2; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +5
DEFENSE
AC 14, touch 13, flat-footed 12 (+2 Dex, +1 natural, +1 size)
hp 9 (1d8+5)
Fort +4, Ref +4, Will +1
OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft.
Melee bite +2 (1d4+1 plus trip)
Special Attacks opportunistic bite
STATISTICS
Str 13, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 6
Base Atk +0; CMB +0; CMD 12 (16 vs. trip)
Feats Toughness
Skills Bluff +2, Perception +5, Survival +0 (+4 when tracking by scent); Racial Modifiers +4 Bluff, +4 Survival when tracking by scent
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Opportunistic Bite (Ex)
On a successful bite attack against an opponent it’s flanking or that is denied its Dexterity bonus to AC, a jackal deals 1 additional point of damage.
ECOLOGY
Environment warm deserts or plains
Organization solitary, pair, or pack (3–10)
Treasure none
Jackals are usually encountered alone or as a mated pair, but sometimes they associate for a time with a small pack composed of two parents and their adult offspring, with the offspring serving a deferential support role to their parents. Although considered craven and foul by humans, jackals are relatively friendly and gentle with members of their own small packs.
Attracted to the edges of human settlements in their territory, jackals often make opportunistic raids on fruit crops and vulnerable domesticated animals. They’re also attracted to large deposits of garbage that they can sift through for leftover food. Jackals are remarkably adaptable, and readily forage for insects or fruit, feed on found carcasses, or hunt small or vulnerable game as the opportunity presents itself.
Jackals are notorious for their craftiness in evading pursuit, and they’ve been known to feign death when caught in order to lull opponents into complacency and gain another chance to escape. A jackal can attempt a Bluff check opposed by its opponent’s Sense Motive check to play dead. If successful, after combat ends, the jackal can begin a new encounter with surprise. During the surprise round, only the jackal and any opponents who succeeded on their Sense Motive checks can act.
Section 15: Copyright Notice
Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Osirion, Legacy of Pharaohs © 2014, Paizo Publishing, LLC; Authors: Alex Greenshields, Amanda Hamon, Jonathan H. Keith, Ron Lundeen, and David N. Ross.