Buy me a coffeeSmilodon, Homotherium
This white-furred cat has short forelegs in comparisons to its loping rear legs. Prominent fangs protrude from its upper jaw.
Homotherium, also known as the scimitar-toothed cat, is a fascinating creature that roamed the Earth during the Pleistocene epoch. This large predatory feline is characterized by its long, curved canine teeth, which resemble the shape of a scimitar sword.
Standing at about 4.5 feet tall at the shoulder and weighing up to 880 pounds, Homotherium is slightly larger than a modern-day lion. It has a muscular body and short, powerful legs that enable it to move quickly and efficiently in pursuit of prey. Homotherium is also known for its retractable claws on its front paws, which are longer and sharper than those of a modern-day lion. These claws give them a firm grip on prey, making it easier to deliver a lethal bite with its sharp teeth.
Homotherium is a formidable predator and is thought to have hunted large herbivores such as bison, horses, and mammoths. It is believed that they may have even hunted in packs, like modern-day lions, to take down larger prey. Its speed and agility, combined with its powerful jaws and sharp teeth, make it a fearsome predator that played an important role in shaping the ecosystems it inhabited.
Sadly, they went extinct around 10,000 years ago, along with many other large Pleistocene mammals.
Homotherium
Medium beast, unaligned
Armor Class: 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points: 71 (13d8 + 13)
Speed: 40 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 (+3) | 14 (+2) | 12 (+1) | 2 (-4) | 12 (+1) | 7 (-2) |
Skills: Athletics +5
Senses: passive Perception 11
Languages: —
Challenge: 2 (450 XP)
Actions
- Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d10 + 3) piercing damage.
- Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) slashing damage.
- Pounce. If Homotherium moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature and then hits it with a claw attack on the same turn, that target must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, Homotherium can make one bite attack against it as a bonus action.
- Roar (1/day). Homotherium emits a terrifying roar that can be heard up to 300 feet away. Each creature within 30 feet of Homotherium that can hear the roar must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A frightened creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
Abilities
- Keen Smell. Homotherium has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
- Pounce. See action description above.
Description
Homotherium, also known as the scimitar cat, is a large, muscular feline with long, curved upper canine teeth that resemble scimitar swords. It has short, reddish-brown fur with a lighter belly and distinctive stripes running down its legs. Homotherium is a skilled hunter, using its powerful build and keen senses to take down prey, including mammoths and other large herbivores. Though primarily a solitary creature, Homotherium may form small groups to hunt together when necessary.
Homotherium (Smilodon) CR 5
XP 1,600
N Medium animal
Init +2; Senses low-light vision; Perception +9
DEFENSE
AC 15, touch 12, flat-footed 13 (+2 Dex, +3 natural)
hp 51 (6d8+24)
Fort +9, Ref +7, Will +3
OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft.
Melee bite +10 (1d6+6 plus grab plus bleed), 2 claws +10 (1d4+6 plus grab)
Special Attacks bleed (1), pounce, rake (2 claws +10, 1d4+6)
STATISTICS
Str 23, Dex 15, Con 19, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Base Atk +4; CMB +10 (+14 grapple); CMD 22 (26 vs. trip)
Feats Power Attack, Run, Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Acrobatics +10, Perception +9, Stealth +11 (+15 in snowy areas), Swim +10; Racial Modifiers +4 Acrobatics, +4 Stealth (+8 in snowy areas)
ECOLOGY
Environment cold forests and plains
Organization solitary, pair or den (6–10)
Treasure none
This white-furred saber-toothed cat is a relative of the smilodon but makes its home in the arctic regions of the world. Its canines are much shorter than the smilodon (averaging only about 4–5 inches long) and its front legs are longer than its rear legs (similar to a hyena’s leg structure).
Section 15: Copyright Notice
Smilodon, Homotherium from the Tome of Horrors Complete, Copyright 2011, Necromancer Games, Inc., published and distributed by Frog God Games; Author Scott Greene.