Lycanthrope, Dire Werelion

Dire werelions are the noblest of lycanthropes. These noble defenders of the meek take up blade and claw to fight for justice and slay evil wherever they find it. Dire werelions are proud – some might say arrogant – but not without cause. Each one is a hero, and even the least carries herself with regal bearing.

Originally posted on THE CREATURE CHRONICLE

Dire werelions live in prides similar to common werelions, but smaller and more egalitarian. The alpha male acts as an enlightened monarch and the women are valued warriors. Young men are not driven out, but instead leave to take up lives of knight-errantry before settling down with a new pride.

Among the rarest of the changing breeds, dire werelions are found in small pockets. They are despised by common werelions, who burn with envy at their greater kindred’s power and nobility; for their part, dire werelions see their lesser kin as an embarrassment.

DIRE WERELION (Human Form) CR 7

XP: 3,600 Human natural dire werelion cavalier 7 LG Medium humanoid (human, shapechanger) Init: +5; Senses: Low-Light Vision, Scent; Perception +1 Aura: Banner (line of sight, +2 vs. fear, +1 atk on charge)

DEFENSE

AC: 19, touch 12, flat-footed 18 (+7 armor, +1 deflection, +1 Dexterity) hp: 57 (7 HD) Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +4

OFFENSE

Speed: 20 ft. (30 ft. base) Melee: +1 greatsword +12/+7 (2d6+7/19-20) Ranged: mwk composite longbow (+4 Strength) +9/+4 (1d8+4/x3/110 ft.) Special Attacks: Cavalier’s charge, challenge (3/day, +2 Dodge) Combat Gear: 20 arrows, potion of cure moderate wounds

STATISTICS

Strength 18, Dexterity 12, Constitution 13, Intelligence 8, Wisdom 12, Charisma 12 Base Atk: +7; CMB: +11; CMD: 22 Feats: Blind-Fight, Cleave, Improved Initiative, Pack AttackB, Power Attack, Rending Claws, Weapon Focus (claw)B Skills: Diplomacy +7, Intimidate +8, Knowledge (nobility) +5 (+8 regarding sovereign), Sense Motive +8 Languages: Common

SPECIAL ABILITIES

SQ: Cavalier order (order of the lion), change shape (human, hybrid, and dire lion; polymorph), expert trainer +3, lion’s call, lycanthropic empathy (lions and dire lions), mount, tactician (2/day)

ECOLOGY

Environment: Warm plains or hills Organization: Solitary, pair, or pride (3-8) Treasure: NPC gear (banner, +1 breastplate, cloak of resistance +1, ring of protection +1)

DIRE WERELION (Hybrid Form) CR 7

LG Large humanoid (human, shapechanger) Init: +6; Senses: Low-Light Vision, Scent; Perception +1 Aura: Banner (line of sight, +2 vs. fear, +1 atk on charge)

DEFENSE

AC: 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+1 deflection, +2 Dexterity, +6 natural, -1 size) hp: 71 (7 HD) Fort +9, Ref +5, Will +4

OFFENSE

Speed: 20 ft. (30 ft. base) Melee: Bite +13 (1d8+7 plus grab), 2 claws +14 (1d6+7) Space: 10 ft.; Reach: 10 ft. Special Attacks: Cavalier’s charge, challenge (3/day, +2 Dodge), pounce, rake (2 claws +14, 1d6+7) Combat Gear: Potion of cure moderate wounds

STATISTICS

Strength 25, Dexterity 15, Constitution 17, Intelligence 8, Wisdom 12, Charisma 12 Base Atk: +7; CMB: +15 (+19 grapple); CMD: 27 Feats: Blind-Fight, Cleave, Improved Initiative, Pack AttackB, Power Attack, Rending Claws, Weapon Focus (claw)B Skills: Diplomacy +7, Intimidate +8, Knowledge (nobility) +5 (+8 regarding sovereign), Sense Motive +8 Languages: Common

SPECIAL ABILITIES

SQ: Cavalier order (order of the lion), change shape (human, hybrid, and dire lion; polymorph), expert trainer +3, lion’s call, lycanthropic empathy (lions and dire lions), mount, tactician (2/day)

ECOLOGY

Environment: Warm plains or hills Organization: Solitary, pair, or pride (3-8) Treasure: NPC gear (banner, +1 breastplate, cloak of resistance +1, ring of protection +1)

DIRE WERELION (Dire Lion Form) CR 7

LG Large humanoid (human, shapechanger) Init: +6; Senses: Low-Light Vision, Scent; Perception +1 Aura: Banner (line of sight, +2 vs. fear, +1 atk on charge)

DEFENSE

AC: 17, touch 11, flat-footed 15 (+2 Dexterity, +6 natural, -1 size) hp: 71 (7 HD) Fort +9, Ref +5, Will +4

OFFENSE

Speed: 40 ft. Melee: Bite +13 (1d8+7 plus grab), 2 claws +14 (1d6+7) Space: 10 ft.; Reach: 5 ft. Special Attacks: Cavalier’s charge, challenge (3/day, +2 Dodge), pounce, rake (2 claws +14, 1d6+7)

STATISTICS

Strength 25, Dexterity 15, Constitution 17, Intelligence 8, Wisdom 12, Charisma 12 Base Atk: +7; CMB: +15 (+19 grapple); CMD: 27 (31 vs. trip) Feats: Blind-Fight, Cleave, Improved Initiative, Pack AttackB, Power Attack, Rending Claws, Weapon Focus (claw)B Skills: Diplomacy +7, Intimidate +8, Knowledge (nobility) +5 (+8 regarding sovereign), Sense Motive +8 Languages: Common

SPECIAL ABILITIES

SQ: Cavalier order (order of the lion), change shape (human, hybrid, and dire lion; polymorph), expert trainer +3, lion’s call, lycanthropic empathy (lions and dire lions), mount, tactician (2/day)

ECOLOGY

Environment: Warm plains or hills Organization: Solitary, pair, or pride (3-8) Treasure: NPC gear (banner, +1 breastplate, cloak of resistance +1, ring of protection +1)