(Dinosaur) Massopondylus
This sauropod is about the size of a horse, but with a long tail and neck. Its head is broad with peg-like teeth, and its forelimbs are tipped with large claws.
Originally Posted by Shade of the En World forums.
Massospondyluses are a type of prosauropod, a primitive relative of such mighty animals as the brachiosaurus and seismosaurus. Unlike most sauropods, they move about bipedally.
Massospondylus hatchlings lack teeth and move about quadrupedally, leaving them relatively helpless. As a result, the mother often cares for the young for a year or more, another unusual trait for a sauropod.
The massospondylus ranges in length from 10 to 15 feet long. They live in dry areas and eat predominately plants, but are omnivorous and not adverse to occasionally catching and killing their food. They are territorial, and rarely see each other unless to mate or fight.
| Dinosaur, Massospondylus | |
| Large animal | |
| Hit Dice | 5d8+15 (37 hp) |
| Initiative | +1 |
| Speed | 30 ft. (6 squares) |
| Armor Class | 14 (-1 size, +1 Dexterity, +4 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 13 |
| Base Attack/Grapple | +3/+11 |
| Attack | Claw +7 melee (1d8+4) |
| Full Attack | 2 claws +7 melee (1d8+4), bite +5 melee (1d4+2) |
| Space/Reach | 10 ft./5 ft. (10 ft. with bite) |
| Special Qualities | Arid adaptation, Low-Light Vision, Scent |
| Saves | Fort +7, Ref +5, Will +2 |
| Abilities | Strength 19, Dexterity 12, Constitution 16, Intelligence 1, Wisdom 12, Charisma 7 |
| Skills | Listen +7, Spot +7 |
| Feats | Alertness, Multiattack |
| Environment | Warm deserts and plains |
| Organization | Solitary |
| Challenge Rating | 3 |
| Treasure | None |
| Alignment | Always neutral |
| Advancement | 6-10 HD (Large), 11-15 HD (Huge) |
| Level Adjustment | – |
COMBAT
When threatened or hungry, a massospondylus rears onto its back legs and fights with its teeth and claws. They rarely attack anything of human size, however, unless starved or in defense.
Arid Adaptation (Ex): A massospondylus does not need to make Fortitude saves to avoid taking nonlethal damage in conditions between 90 degrees and 110 degrees. In conditions of severe heat (above 110 degrees) it must make Fortitude saves like any other creature, but gains a +4 racial bonus on this save. (see Heat Dangers in the DMG).
Additionally, a massospondylus needs to drink only one-quarter the normal amount of water per day require for a creature of its size.
Originally appeared in Monstrous Compendium Volume Three: Forgotten Realms Appendix (1989).