Thorn Dog

These specially bred creatures appear as large dogs with thorny vines woven through their brown-black fur. Their teeth are like thorns and their eyes are the colors of flowers. During the spring, a ‘wreath’ of flowers sprouts out around their necks and down their spine.

Thorn Dog CR 2

XP 600
N Medium magical beast (fey, plant)
Init +2; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +7

DEFENSE

AC 17, touch 12, flat-footed 15; (+2 Dex, +5 natural)
hp 22 (3d10+6)
Fort +5, Ref +5, Will +2
Defensive Abilities DR/3 slashing, Resist acid, cold and electricity 3, Immune fear

OFFENSE

Speed 40 ft.
Melee bite +5 (1d8+1 plus painful thorns)

TACTICS

Before Combat Unless directed by a master, thorn dogs will spread out and try to position themselves to be able to attack.

During Combat Thorn dogs will try to pack attack those who are isolated from their allies and spellcasters first. Preferentially, they will concentrate on one target at a time, disabling them before moving on.

Morale Thorn dogs are implacable foes, they will not flee combat unless it serves some tactical or strategic purpose. They are breed as warriors and they will fight to the death if needed.

STATISTICS

Str 13, Dex 15, Con 15, Int 6, Wis 12, Cha 13
Base Atk +3; CMB +4; CMD 16
Feats Alertness, Weapon Focus (bite)
Skills Perception +5, Stealth +6, Swim +5, Survival +1 (+5 when tracking by scent) Racial Modifiers +4 Survival when tracking by scent
Languages understands fey
SQ forest friend

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Forest Friend (Su)

Thorn dogs are not slowed or hampered by plants or undergrowth, moving through them without even disturbing the flora. The DC to track a thorn dog is increased by 5.

Painful Thorns (Ex)

Some of the thorny teeth of a thorn dog break off in a wound when they bite, leaving a painful wound. Those hit by a thorn dog’s bite gain the suffer a -2 pain penalty to attack rolls and skill checks until the thorns can be removed. Removing thorn dog teeth requires a DC10 Heal check and takes 30 seconds to perform.

Sap (Ex)

The blood of the royal thorn dogs is thick and sticky, clinging to weapons that wound it. Any piercing or slashing weapon that wounds a thorn dog suffers a -1 penalty to damage until it can be thoroughly cleaned.

Knowledge

Knowledge (Arcana) DC 21: These creatures were created by fey magic to act as guardians and hunters.

Knowledge (Nature) 21: These animals are bolstered by the magic of the Fey making them as tough as plants and skilled as wolves. They are difficult to damage except with cutting weapons.

Druids and Fey-bloodline sorcerers receive a +2 bonus on this knowledge check.

Royal Thorn Dog CR 4

The strongest and noblest of the thorn dogs are drawn into the direct service of the Court of Spring, serving the Royal Guard and as guardians of the palace. They are immediately distinguishable from their brethren by their larger size and their horns or antlers and their colorful fur.

XP 1,200
N medium magical beast (fey, plant)
Init +2; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +11

DEFENSE

AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16; (+6 natural, +2 Dex)
hp 51 (6d10+18)
Fort +8, Ref +6, Will +6
Defensive Abilities DR/4 slashing, Resist to acid, cold and electricity 5; Immune charm, fear

OFFENSE

Spd 45 ft.
Melee bite +9 (1d10+3 plus painful thorns) or gore +9 (2d4+4/ x3) and two claws +9 (1d3+1)
Special Attacks goring charge

TACTICS

As thorn dog except royal thorn dogs are more willing to charge into battle.

STATISTICS

Str 17, Dex 14, Con 16, Int 8, Wis 14, Cha 14
Base Atk +2; CMB +4; CMD 14
Feats Alertness, Fleet, Iron Will
Skills Perception +9, Stealth +6, Swim +7, Survival +2 (+5 when tracking by scent) Racial Modifiers +4 Survival when tracking by scent
Languages understands the fey
SQ forest friend

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Forest Friend (Su)

Thorn dogs are not slowed or hampered by plants or undergrowth, moving through them without even disturbing the flora. The DC to track a thorn dog is increased by 10.

Painful Thorns (Ex)

Some of the thorny teeth of a thorn dog break off in a wound when they bite, leaving a painful wound. Those hit by a thorn dog’s bite gain the suffer a -2 pain penalty to attack rolls and skill checks until the thorns can be removed. Removing thorn dog teeth requires a DC10 Heal check and takes 30 seconds to perform.

Sap (Ex)

The blood of the royal thorn dogs is thick and sticky, clinging to weapons that wound it. Any piercing or slashing weapon that wounds a thorn dog suffers a -1 penalty to damage until it can be thoroughly cleaned.

Goring Charge (Ex)

When a royal thorn dog charges, it gains a +2 shield bonus to AC until the end of the charge and inflicts double damage with its gore (x4 on a critical).

Knowledge Check

Knowledge (Arcana) DC 24: These creature were bred from thorn dogs to be the personal guardians of the Court of Spring.

Knowledge (Nature) 24: These beasts are strong and fast with a dangerous charge, they are even more difficult to kill then their smaller cousins.

Druids and Fey-bloodline sorcerers receive a +2 bonus on this knowledge check.

Ecology

Environment Otherworld of the Court of Spring
Organization single, pair, pack (4-12)
Treasure Value incidental

Section 15: Copyright Notice

The Sea of Stars RPG Design Journal, http://seaofstarsrpg.wordpress.com/ Copyright 2009-2010 Sea of Stars RPG; Authors: Sean Holland and others.

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