Potamotherium

Potamotherium (‘river beast’) is an extinct genus of mustelids or early pinniped that existed during the Miocene period.

Originally Posted by xidoraven of the Wizards Community forums.

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Potamotherium resembled a modern otter, and is (5 ft) long, with an elongated, slender body and short legs. With a flexible backbone and a streamlined shape, its a good swimmer. Potamotherium has a poor sense of smell, but made up for this with good vision and hearing.

Potamotherii inhabit coastal regions of rivers and lakes throughout temperate lands, preying on small fish and insects. They sometimes become familiars to aquatic sorcerers or wizards, or animal companions to similar druids or rangers.

Potamotherium
Medium animal
Hit Dice	3d8+6 (22 hp)
Initiative	+3
Speed	25 ft. (5 squares), swim 35 ft. (7 squares)
Armor Class	15 (+3 Dexterity, +2 natural), touch 13, flat-footed 12
Base Attack/Grapple	+2/+2
Attack	Bite +5 melee (1d6-1)
Full Attack	Bite +5 melee (1d6-1)
Space/Reach	5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks	—
Special Qualities	Hold breath, Low-Light Vision
Saves	Fort +7, Ref +6, Will +5
Abilities	Strength 8, Dexterity 17, Constitution 14, Intelligence 2, Wisdom 14, Charisma 7
Skills	Balance +9, Climb (Dexterity) +8, Escape Artist +7, Listen +6, Spot +6, Swim (Dexterity) +11
Feats	Weapon Finesse (Bite), Great Fortitude, Alertness (B), Agile (B)
Environment	Temperate Aquatic (freshwater rivers & lakeshores)
Organization	Solitary, pair, or family (3–12)
Challenge Rating	2
Treasure	None
Alignment	Always neutral
Advancement	4-6 HD (Medium), 7-10 (Large)
Level Adjustment	—

Combat

Potamotherium is an inquisitive animal. They fight only if cornered, and generally avoid contact with terrestrial civilizations in most cases.

Hold Breath (Ex): Potamotherium can hold its breath for a number of rounds equal to 4 × its Constitution score before it risks drowning. For a typical specimen, this is 48 rounds, or almost 5 minutes.

Skills: A potamotherium has a +8 racial bonus on any Swim check to perform a 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.

Potamotherii have a +4 racial bonus on Balance and Climb checks. They use their Dexterity modifier for Climb and Swim checks.

Racial Bonus Feats: Agile , Alertness. Potamotherium is a naturally agile and thriving species, but does have the best sense of Scent that smaller otters have (no extraordinary Scent ability) – however potamotherium has excellent sight and hearing.

Potamotherium as a Familiar:

3rd-level Spellcasters with the Improved Familiar can summon Potamotherium; it grants its master a +3 bonus to Swim checks.