Drakkenhound

Medium-Size Animal

Hit Dice: 2d8+4 (13 hp)

Initiative: +5 (+1 Dex, +4 Improved Initiative)

Speed: 50 ft.

AC: 14 (+1 Dex, +3 natural)

Attacks: Bite +4 melee

Damage: Bite 1d8+2

Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 5 ft./5 ft.

Special Attacks: By Type, see below

Special Qualities: Scent, Fire Consumption

Saves: Fort +5, Ref +4, Will +1

Abilities: Str 15, Dex 13, Con 15,

    Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6

Skills: Climb +6, Hide +3*, Jump +5, Listen +5, Move Silently +3,

Spot +6, Swim +4, Wilderness Lore +2 (+4 when Tracking by Scent)

Feats: Improved Initiative

Climate/Terrain: Any (by subtype, see below)

Organization: Solitary, pair, or pack (4--10)

Challenge Rating: 1

Treasure: None

Alignment: Always neutral

Advancement: 3 HD (Medium-size); 4-5 HD (Large)

*Drakkenhounds have a +5 racial bonus to Hide in their native terrain. This is not figured in to their statistics. All drakkenhounds have low light vision.

Drakkenhounds are predatory animals that are frequently domesticated as hunting beasts or beasts of war by the Drakken. Wild drakkenhounds can also be found, though often they are larger and more vicious than their domesticated cousins. They are long, powerful beasts, with a large set of jaws and a five foot long tail. Overall, their head seems large for their body, and the power of their jaw muscles is enough to tear through hard leather with ease. Their hide is thickly plated on the doral side, while the underside is covered with finer scales.

Drakkenhounds have powerful rear legs that can propel them at impressive speeds. Their forelegs are smaller and clawed, but are generally only used to hold prey while their terrifying jaws are brought to bear. They usually run on all fours, but can rear up and move on their hind legs if they need to reach higher elevations. Domesticated drakkenhounds can be trained to track on command.

Fire Consumption (Ex): Drakkenhounds are curious in that they are attracted to fire, and will in fact consume burning coals or logs.It is believed that this may char meat they have consumed, as the drakkenhound favors cooked meat over raw flesh. It may also be the case that somehow the beast keeps warm through such a practice. Regardless, drakkenhounds have Damage Reduction of 10/- against fire or burning objects that they consume. Fire can burn them externally as normal. Drakkenhounds are notorious for raiding campsites for fire or embers, and more than one nocturnal encounter with them has ended in unnecessary bloodshed.

Several species of drakkenhounds exist, and are favored by different strains of Drakken.

Forest: If a forest drakkenhound hits with its bite attack, it may attempt to make a trip attack as a free action, and without the chance to be tripped in return if the trip fails. The drakkenhounds change color with their surroundings, and keep the +5 racial bonus to Hide in all terrains, not just their native one.

Jungle and Desert: Are poisonous. DC: 13 to avoid 1d6/1d6 Constitution damage.

Mountain and Arctic: Improved Grapple: if a bite attack hits, the drakkenhound may choose to hold on and deal bite damage every round, though they will lose their dex bonus to AC while doing so. They also possess a +5 racial bonus to Climb and Jump checks.

River: Can hold their breath for up to their 5 times their constitution in rounds, and also possess a 20 foot Swim speed. They also gain a +12 racial bonus to Hide checks when they are submerged in water.