Arctognathus
This creature resembles both a mammal and a reptile. Its long skull sports a massive maw with saberlike canine teeth. Its muscular frame sits atop pillarlike legs, and a thick tail lashes behind it.
Originally Posted by Shade of the En World forums.
An arctognathus is a mid-sized gorgonopsian, a group of carnivorous therapsids that predated the dinosaurs. As large as a man, arctognathus was able to bring down prey larger than itself with its deadly, saberlike incisors. Its keen sense of smell allows it to easily Track prey over long distances.
An arctognathus is 5 to 6 feet long, weighing around 200 pounds.
| Gorgonopsid, Arctognathus | |
| Medium animal | |
| Hit Dice | 4d8+8 (26 hp) |
| Initiative | +2 |
| Speed | 40 ft. (8 squares) |
| Armor Class | 15 (+2 Dexterity, +5 natural), touch 12, flat-footed 14 |
| Base Attack/Grapple | +3/+7 |
| Attack | Bite +7 melee (1d6+6/19-20×3) |
| Full Attack | Bite +7 melee (1d6+6/19-20×3) |
| Space/Reach | 5 ft./5 ft. |
| Special Attacks | Augmented critical, tear fallen +1d6, trip |
| Special Qualities | Low-Light Vision, Scent |
| Saves | Fort +6, Ref +6, Will +2 |
| Abilities | Strength 19, Dexterity 15, Constitution 15, Intelligence 2, Wisdom 13, Charisma 6 |
| Skills | Hide +7, Jump +8, Listen +5, Move Silently +7, Spot +5, Survival +4 |
| Feats | Alertness, Track |
| Environment | Warm plains |
| Organization | Solitary, pair, or pack (3-4) |
| Challenge Rating | 3 |
| Treasure | None |
| Alignment | Always neutral |
| Advancement | 5-8 HD (Medium) |
| Level Adjustment | — |
COMBAT
An arctognathus attempts to sink its saber-like teeth into prey, drag it to the ground, and tear it to shreds.
Augmented Critical (Ex): The saber teeth of an arctognathus strike with deadly precision. An arctognathus’s bite attack threatens a critical hit on a roll of 19-20 and deals x3 damage on a successful critical hit.
Tear Fallen (Ex): An arctognathus can deal an addition +1d6 points of damage to a prone opponent.
Trip (Ex): An arctognathus that hits with a bite attack can attempt to make a trip check (+4 modifier) as a free action without making a touch attack or provoking an attack of opportunity. If the attack fails, the opponent cannot react to trip the arctognathus.
Skills: An arctognathus gains a +4 racial bonus on all Hide and Move Silently checks.
Originally appeared as “giant therapsid” in Dragon Magazine #176 (1991).