“Sprinting from the shadows with razor-sharp jaws and tyrant blood, the Stokesosaurus is the swift, silent killer your party never sees coming—until it’s too late.”
A sleek, lightly built predator, the Stokesosaurus resembles a miniature tyrant lizard, stretching up to 13 feet in length but rarely weighing more than 100 pounds. Its narrow, tapered snout is lined with razor-edged teeth suited for slicing flesh. Its body is covered in mottled green and rust-colored scales with patches of downy proto-feathers along its tail and forearms. Bright, intelligent eyes scan constantly for movement, and a stiff, counterbalancing tail gives it deadly precision in motion.
Behaviour
Stokesosaurs are solitary and calculating hunters. They exhibit signs of cunning—testing prey with feints, circling from downwind, or using terrain to their advantage. While not pack hunters, they may tolerate others of their kind briefly during high-prey seasons. They avoid unnecessary fights, retreating if wounded, only to reappear hours later when their prey lets its guard down.
Habitat
Native to dense prehistoric forests and riverine lowlands, the Stokesosaurus thrives in terrain where sight lines are broken and ambush is easy. In fantasy settings, they may inhabit long-lost jungle valleys, magical rift zones, or overgrown ruins where time has fractured and ancient ecosystems persist. They avoid open plains, preferring environments that favor stealth over speed.
Modus Operandi
Stokesosaurus hunts by stealth and surprise. It silently stalks prey from underbrush or rocky cover, then bursts forth in a blur of motion, aiming for soft tissue—hamstrings, flanks, or the back of the neck. It will not overextend; if its first strike doesn’t kill, it disengages and vanishes into the foliage. This hit-and-fade style is unnerving even to seasoned adventurers.
Motivation
Guided by instinct sharpened by intelligence, the Stokesosaurus hunts for survival, not sport. In enchanted realms or cursed lands, some Stokesosaurs have developed eerie territorial behavior, seemingly guarding ancient relics or sites of magical trauma. There are whispered tales of druids or necromancers taming them as sentinels—feral, watchful, and always hungry.
The Stokesosaurus has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) and Wisdom (Survival) checks to track or locate creatures.
Cunning Ambusher.
During the first round of combat, the Stokesosaurus has advantage on attack rolls against any creature that hasn’t taken a turn.
Pounce.
If the Stokesosaurus moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature and hits it with a claw attack on the same turn, the target must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, the Stokesosaurus can make a bite attack against it as a bonus action.
Shadow Stalk (Recharge 5–6).
As a bonus action, the Stokesosaurus can blend into surrounding shadows or foliage, becoming invisible until the start of its next turn or until it attacks. While invisible in this way, it leaves no scent or tracks. This ability functions only in dim light, darkness, or natural terrain.
Actions
Multiattack.
The Stokesosaurus makes two melee attacks: one with its claws and one with its bite.
Claws.Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 9 (2d4 + 4) slashing damage.
Bite.Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 7 (1d10 + 2) piercing damage. If the target is prone, the attack deals an additional 4 (1d8) damage.
Tactics
The Stokesosaurus prefers hit-and-run tactics, using its speed and stealth to isolate and cripple its prey. It targets lightly armored creatures, avoiding direct confrontation with stronger foes. When injured, it retreats into the underbrush to stalk and strike again from hiding. In groups, Stokesosaurs may herd prey into an ambush or take turns harrying a target.
Optional Variant: Jungle Alpha
A dominant member of its kind, the Jungle Alpha is larger, more aggressive, and commands a small territory.
CR 2 (450 XP)
Hit Points 52 (8d6 + 24)
Gains Pack Tactics: The Stokesosaurus has advantage on attack rolls against a creature if at least one of the Stokesosaurus’s allies is within 5 feet of the creature and isn’t incapacitated.
Once per day, it can emit a Blood-Slick Screech: Each creature in a 15-foot cone must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of its next turn.
CR 1 XP 400 N Small animal Init +4; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, scent; Perception +7
Defense
AC 16, touch 15, flat-footed 12 (+4 Dex, +1 natural, +1 size) hp 17 (2d8+8) Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +1
Offense
Speed 50 ft. Melee bite +4 (1d6+1 plus trip), 2 claws +4 (1d4+1) Special Attacks pounce
Statistics
Str 13, Dex 18, Con 18, Int 1, Wis 14, Cha 6 Base Atk +1; CMB +1 (+5 trip); CMD 15 (17 vs. trip) Feats Weapon Finesse Skills Perception +7, Stealth +10, Survival +4; Racial Modifiers +4 Stealth SQ cunning ambusher
Ecology
Environment warm forests and plains Organization solitary, pair, or pack (3–5) Treasure none
Special Abilities
Cunning Ambusher (Ex) A Stokesosaurus gains a +2 bonus on attack and damage rolls against flat-footed creatures during the first round of combat. It also gains a +2 circumstance bonus on Stealth checks made in natural terrain.
Pounce (Ex) When a Stokesosaurus charges, it can make a full attack, including all its natural attacks.
Description
This small, agile dinosaur is built for speed and precision. With a narrow snout full of sharp teeth and long clawed limbs, the Stokesosaurus is a master of stealth and ambush. It relies on cover and quick, targeted strikes to take down prey much larger than itself. Feather-like filaments fringe its tail and arms, and its mottled scales help it blend into jungle or forest terrain. Though not truly intelligent, the Stokesosaurus exhibits cunning behavior, often retreating and circling prey before striking again from a new direction.
Variant: Alpha Stokesosaurus (CR 2)
A dominant and territorial subspecies of Stokesosaurus, often found leading a pack.
Size Medium
hp 28 (3d8+12)
Melee bite +5 (1d8+2 plus trip), 2 claws +5 (1d6+2)
CMB +4; CMD 17
Feats Weapon Finesse, Power Attack
SQ pack hunter (gains a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls when flanking or adjacent to an ally that threatens the same foe)
Small Animal Hit Dice: 2d8+6 (15 hp) Initiative: +5 Speed: 50 ft. (10 squares) Armor Class: 17 (+1 size, +5 Dex, +1 natural), touch 16, flat-footed 12 Base Attack/Grapple: +1/–3 Attack: Claw +4 melee (1d3) Full Attack: 2 claws +4 melee (1d3) and bite +3 melee (1d6+1) Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft. Special Attacks: Pounce, Trip
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, darkvision 60 ft., scent, cunning ambusher Saves: Fort +6, Ref +7, Will +1 Abilities: Str 12, Dex 20, Con 16, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 6 Skills: Hide +12, Listen +5, Move Silently +10, Spot +5, Survival +4 Feats: Weapon Finesse, Alertness (B) Environment: Warm forests and plains Organization: Solitary, pair, or pack (3–6) Challenge Rating: 1 Treasure: None Alignment: Always neutral Advancement: 3–4 HD (Small); 5–8 HD (Medium) Level Adjustment: —
Combat
The Stokesosaurus is a swift, cunning predator that relies on speed and stealth over brute strength. It prefers to ambush prey, using its powerful jaws to inflict damage while its small, lightly built claws assist mainly with balance and gripping.
Pounce (Ex): When charging, the Stokesosaurus can make a full attack, including two claw attacks and one bite.
Trip (Ex): Upon hitting with its bite, the Stokesosaurus can attempt a trip combat maneuver (+1 bonus) as a free action without provoking attacks of opportunity. If the attempt fails, the opponent cannot counter-trip.
Cunning Ambusher (Ex): Gains a +2 bonus on attack rolls during the first round of combat against flat-footed foes, and a +4 bonus on Stealth checks in natural terrain.
Tactics
Before Combat: Uses Hide and Move Silently to stalk prey, often approaching from downwind to avoid detection.
During Combat: Charges from cover, aiming to trip opponents with its bite and focusing damage on prone foes. Claws serve to steady its position rather than inflict significant wounds.
After Combat: If injured or outnumbered, it retreats quickly using its superior speed and camouflage.
Ecology
This small theropod is a master of ambush predation, relying on agility, stealth, and precision rather than raw power. Feather-like filaments and mottled coloration help it blend into dense underbrush and jungle foliage. Its forelimbs, though small and lightly muscled, provide essential balance and grip during high-speed pursuits and attacks.
Buy me a coffee
