Dingonek

Larger and nearly as bulky as a hippo, this unusal creature bears the traits of many animals. Its head combines the features of a lioness and otter, but with long saberlike fangs. Its body is covered in the thick scales of an armadillo dotted with leopard-like spots. Its tail is long and thick, while its legs end in reptilian claws.

Originally Posted by Shade of the En World forums.

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Dingoneks are among the most feared creatures in warm areas near water. More than a match for crocodiles and hippopatami, and with a temper to match the latter, these carnivores are fearless and fast. In fact, some local humanoids have coined the phrase “brave as a dingonek” to indicate stupidly fearless and aggressive behavior.

A dingonek is 15 feet long and weighs 4 to 5 tons.

Dingonek
Large magical beast
Hit Dice	8d10+40 (84 hp)
Initiative	+5
Speed	30 ft. (6 squares), Swim 30 ft., burrow 15 ft.
Armor Class	17 (-1 size, +1 Dexterity, +7 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 16
Base Attack/Grapple	+8/+19
Attack	Bite +14 melee (2d8+7) or tail slap +14 melee (2d8+10)
Full Attack	Bite +14 melee (2d8+7) and 2 claws +12 melee (2d6+3) and tail slap +12 melee (2d8+10)
Space/Reach	10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks	Head butt, pounce, powerful charge, tail sweep
Special Qualities	Darkvision 60 ft., Low-Light Vision, tremorsense 60 ft.
Saves	Fort +11, Ref +7, Will +3
Abilities	Strength 24, Dexterity 13, Constitution 20, Intelligence 2, Wisdom 12, Charisma 6
Skills	Listen +7, Spot +6, Swim +15
Feats	Improved Initiative, Multiattack, Power Attack
Environment	Warm plains and forests (rivers)
Organization	Solitary or pair
Challenge Rating	6
Treasure	None
Alignment	Always neutral
Advancement	9-16 HD (Large); 17-32 HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment	–

Combat

Dingoneks prefer to charge prey, using its bulk as a massive ram. It is a swift burrower, know to dig a shallow hole to prepare an ambush or to burst into campsites or villages. Dingoneks are also strong swimmers, making escape difficult and directing their attention the best tactic for Survival.

Head Butt (Ex): When a dingonek charges, it may make a head butt attack at its full attack bonus which deals 2d10+7 points of bludgeoning damage. The victim must also succeed on a DC 21 Fortitude save or be stunned for 1d2 rounds. The save DC is Strength-based.

Pounce (Ex): If a dingonek charges a foe, it can make a full attack, including a head butt attack.

Powerful Charge (Ex): When a dingonek charges, its claw attacks deal 4d6+6 points of damage.

Tail Sweep (Ex): A dingonek can sweep with its tail as a standard action. The sweep affects a half-circle with a radius of 20 feet extending from an intersection on the edge of the dingonek’s space in any direction. Medium or smaller creatures within the swept area take automatic tail slap damage (DC 21 Reflex half). The save DC is Strength-based.

Skills: A dingonek has a +8 racial bonus on any Swim check to perform some special action or avoid a hazard. It can always choose to take 10 on a Swim check, even if distracted or endangered. It can use the run action while swimming, provided it swims in a straight line.

Originally appeared in Dragon Magazine #122 (1987).