Priscileo

This creature resembles a maneless lion, yet it is only the size of a possum. Its retractable claws and muscular build hint at its deadliness.

Originally Posted by Shade of the En World forums.

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The smallest of the marsupial lions, priscileo (or “ancient lion”), is also the oldest.

A priscileo is less than 2-1/2 feet long and weighs 40 to 60 pounds.

Priscileo
Small animal
Hit Dice	1d8 (4 hp)
Initiative	+4
Speed	30 ft. (6 squares), Climb 20 ft.
Armor Class	16 (+1 size, +4 Dexterity, +1 natural), touch 15, flat-footed 12
Base Attack/Grapple	+0/-2
Attack	Bite +3 melee (1d8+2/18-20/x3)
Full Attack	Bite +3 melee (1d8+2/18-20/x3) and 2 claws -2 melee (1d3+1)
Space/Reach	5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks	Augmented critical, improved grab, pounce
Special Qualities	Low-Light Vision, Scent
Saves	Fort +2, Ref +6, Will +1
Abilities	Strength 15, Dexterity 18, Constitution 11, Intelligence 2, Wisdom 13, Charisma 6
Skills	Balance +8, Climb +10, Hide +12*, Listen +3, Move Silently +8, Spot +3
Feats	Stealthy
Environment	Temperate and warm plains and forests
Organization	Solitary
Challenge Rating	1
Treasure	None
Alignment	Always neutral
Advancement	–
Level Adjustment	–

COMBAT

Like all marsupial lions, priscileo is an ambush predator. Adept at climbing trees, they often drop upon prey from above.

Augmented Critical (Ex): A marsupial lion’s bite threatens a critical hit on a natural attack roll of 18–20, dealing triple damage on a successful critical hit.

Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a marsupial lion must hit with its bite attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and deals automatic bite damage each round.

Pounce (Ex): If a marsupial lion charges, it can make a full attack.

Skills: A priscileo has a +4 racial bonus on Balance, Hide, and Move Silently checks and a +8 racial bonus on Climb checks. It can always choose to take 10 on Climb checks, even if rushed or threatened. *In leafy vegetation, the Hide bonus improves to +12.

Originally appeared in Dragon Magazine #186 (1992).