Buy me a coffee(Dinosaur) Xiaosaurus, the Leaf-Runner of the Underbrush
“Don’t let its size fool you—Xiaosaurus is a quick and curious little leaf-muncher from the forests, often overlooked but full of charm in its quiet, nimble way.”
This nimble, bipedal creature stands just under four feet long, its slender frame built for speed rather than strength. Xiaosaurus is covered in fine, filament-like protofeathers, giving it a downy appearance in earthy greens and muted browns—perfect camouflage for dense undergrowth. Large, expressive eyes sit atop a narrow snout lined with small, leaf-shaped teeth, perfect for cropping vegetation. Its long tail acts as a counterbalance, twitching constantly for balance and communication.
Behaviour
Xiaosaurus is an alert and social herbivore, often found in small, loosely-structured flocks. Skittish but curious, it relies on keen senses and agile reflexes to evade predators rather than confront them. If cornered, a Xiaosaurus may emit sharp chirps to alert its companions before darting away in a blur of motion.
They frequently engage in communal foraging, using low grunts and tail signals to communicate food sources or danger. Young Xiaosauruses mimic the adults, forming a tightly knit social structure despite their diminutive size.
Habitat
Native to temperate floodplains and fern-rich woodlands of the Middle Jurassic, Xiaosauruses thrive in environments with dense ground cover and ample vegetation. Their nesting sites are shallow scrapes in sheltered clearings, lined with leaves and carefully guarded by the flock. Ancient riverbanks and ginkgo groves are favored gathering spots.
Modus Operandi
While harmless to adventurers, Xiaosaurus employs remarkable tactics to survive: it scouts unfamiliar terrain with swift zig-zag patterns, seldom stopping for more than a few seconds. When threatened, they flee as a group in coordinated, unpredictable paths, confusing predators with their synchronized evasion.
In some cases, they’ve been observed leading larger herbivores to safer ground, acting as vigilant lookouts in exchange for protection from the bulkier beasts.
Motivation
Xiaosaurus is driven by simple but endearing instincts: forage, flock, and flee. It seeks safety in numbers and sustenance among the leaves. Though not intelligent in the magical sense, it displays surprising awareness of its surroundings and can recognize safe havens and familiar creatures—even non-dinosaurs that pose no threat.
Adventurers may find themselves followed out of curiosity, not malice—these tiny watchers of the wood merely want to understand the world without being part of its dangers.
Xiaosaurus 5e
Xiaosaurus, Pathfinder
Xiaosaurus 3.5
Xiaosaurus
Small Beast, Unaligned
Armor Class 13 (natural agility)
Hit Points 7 (2d6)
Speed 40 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 (–1) | 16 (+3) | 10 (+0) | 2 (–4) | 14 (+2) | 6 (–2) |
Saving Throws Dex +5, Wis +4
Skills Perception +4, Stealth +5, Survival +4
Senses passive Perception 14
Languages —
Challenge 1/8 (25 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +2
Traits
Evasion Instinct.
When subjected to an effect that allows it to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, the Xiaosaurus instead takes no damage on a success and half damage on a failure.
Keen Senses.
The Xiaosaurus has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight or smell.
Pack Awareness.
If at least one allied creature is within 10 feet of the Xiaosaurus and not incapacitated, it can take the Help action as a bonus action.
Forest Camouflage.
The Xiaosaurus has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made in natural, vegetated terrain such as forests or jungles.
Startle Leap (Recharge 5–6).
As a reaction to being targeted by an attack or area effect, the Xiaosaurus may leap up to 10 feet in any direction. This movement does not provoke opportunity attacks. If the leap moves it out of the area of effect or attack range, it is not affected.
Actions
Nimble Peck. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage.
A defensive bite used only when threatened or cornered.
Tactics
Xiaosauruses avoid direct combat, relying on agility and camouflage to escape threats. When in groups, they use Pack Awareness to distract predators and flee. In roleplay scenarios, they may approach cautiously or follow creatures out of curiosity. A successful DC 13 Wisdom (Animal Handling) check may be used to calm or befriend one.
Environmental Role
In wilderness-based campaigns, Xiaosauruses can serve as early warning animals for larger herbivores or natural companions to druids and rangers. In enchanted forests, they may act as natural couriers, bearing messages or charms through dense undergrowth.
Treasure
A Xiaosaurus might be found carrying one of the following:
- A pouch of rare seeds (10 gp to herbalists)
- A minor druidic charm (grants one use of druidcraft)
- A bark scroll with a short message from a forest-dwelling NPC
Xiaosaurus
CR 1/3
XP 135
NG Small animal
Init +3; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +6
DEFENSE
AC 15, touch 14, flat-footed 12 (+1 size, +3 Dex, +1 natural)
hp 6 (1d8+2)
Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +1
Defensive Abilities evasion
OFFENSE
Speed 50 ft.
Melee bite +3 (1d4–1)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Special Attacks coordinated distraction, startle leap (see below)
STATISTICS
Str 9, Dex 17, Con 14, Int 1, Wis 14, Cha 6
Base Atk +0; CMB –2; CMD 11 (15 vs. trip)
Feats Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Acrobatics +8, Perception +6, Stealth +9, Survival +4
Racial Modifiers +4 Stealth in forested terrain
SQ woodland stride
ECOLOGY
Environment warm forests, floodplains, Jurassic wilderness
Organization solitary, pair, or flock (3–8)
Treasure none (occasionally carries small trinkets or natural objects)
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Coordinated Distraction (Ex):
When within 10 feet of at least one other Xiaosaurus, the creature can use the Aid Another action to grant an ally a +2 bonus to Stealth, Acrobatics, or Escape Artist as an immediate action.
Evasion (Ex):
If a Xiaosaurus makes a successful Reflex save against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, it instead takes no damage.
Startle Leap (Ex):
Once per minute, when a Xiaosaurus is targeted by an attack or area effect, it may make an immediate leap as an immediate action. This leap moves it up to 10 feet in any direction and does not provoke attacks of opportunity. If this places it outside the attack’s area or range, it is unaffected.
Woodland Stride (Ex):
Xiaosaurus can move through natural undergrowth (such as briars, thorns, overgrown areas) at normal speed and without taking damage or suffering impairment.
TACTICS
Before Combat
Xiaosauruses rely on camouflage and swift movement to avoid confrontation. They hide using their high Stealth and prefer to observe or evade intruders.
During Combat
Xiaosauruses avoid melee unless cornered. If surprised, they attempt to flee using Startle Leap and terrain advantages (Woodland Stride). In groups, they use Coordinated Distraction to confuse or distract predators, helping the flock scatter.
Morale
A Xiaosaurus flees if reduced below half hit points or if alone. In a group, one may act as a decoy to buy others time to escape.
DESCRIPTION
Xiaosaurus is a small, lightly built herbivorous dinosaur, roughly 4 feet long from snout to tail-tip. Covered in primitive feather-like filaments and colored in mottled greens and browns, it blends seamlessly into the forest floor. With keen eyes and a nervous temperament, it constantly scans for danger and bolts at the slightest sign of trouble.
Though not aggressive, Xiaosauruses display remarkable social intelligence. They travel in skittish flocks, using a complex series of chirps, tail movements, and bounding leaps to communicate danger and coordinate escape. In the wild, they may serve as early warning indicators of predators—or approaching adventurers.
GM Notes: Integration in the World
- Druids and rangers might bond with Xiaosauruses as skittish but loyal companions (suitable as animal companions with GM approval, replacing the “bird” entry for small creatures).
- Xiaosauruses can be used in encounter design as a prelude to larger creatures—where they scatter, something bigger follows.
- Their Startle Leap and stealth make them ideal for “nonviolent challenge” encounters—tracking or calming them could reveal hidden paths, food caches, or druidic secrets.
Xiaosaurus
Originally Posted by Allenbdinoboy of the Wizards Community forums.
Xiaosaurus was a little plant-eater that lived in Asia during the Jurassic period. These quick dinosaurs probably lived in large family groups and moved through forests so they could hide from predators. They had very little in the way of defenses against a hungry meat-eater.
| Small animal | |
| Hit Dice | 1/2d8 (2 hp) |
| Initiative | +4 (+2 Dexterity) |
| Speed | 40 ft. (8 squares) |
| Armor Class | 15 (+4 Dexterity, +1 natural), touch 14, flat-footed 11 |
| Base Attack/Grapple | 0/-1 |
| Attack | Bite -2 melee (1d3 -2) |
| Full Attack | Bite -2 melee (1d3 -2) |
| Space/Reach | 2.5 ft./5 ft. |
| Special Attacks | – |
| Special Qualities | Low-Light Vision, Scent |
| Saves | Fort +2, Ref +6, Will +2 |
| Abilities | Strength 6, Dexterity 19, Constitution 10, Intelligence 2, Wisdom 14, Charisma 10 |
| Skills | Listen +2, Spot +2 |
| Feats | Run |
| Environment | Warm forests |
| Organization | Solitary, Pair, Family (2-5), Nest (5-20), Herd (21-100), Swarm (101+) |
| Challenge Rating | 1/4 |
| Treasure | None |
| Alignment | Always neutral |
| Advancement | Hatchling 1 HP (Diminutive), Juvinile 1/4 HD (Tiny), Adult 1/2 – 2 HD (Small) Lord of the Mushrooms 3 HD+ (Medium) |
| Level Adjustment | – |
Combat
A will try to avoid combat at every opportunity. They would much rather flee than fight, but if seriously threatened they will attempt to defend themselves with their feeble beaks.