Hadhayosh

This titanic bull has skin like brass and a mane of flames. It towers over the treetops, stopping periodically to eat from the foliage above. Mighty twisted horns thrust forward from above its massive head. Its hooves are cloven and a powerful tail thrashes about behind it.

Hadhayosh CR 18

XP 153,600
Always N Gargantuan magical beast (fire)
Init +2; Senses Perception +26; Aura frightful presence (60 ft., DC 23), stench (100 ft., DC 30, 1d6+4 min.)

DEFENSE

AC 34, touch 8, flat-footed 32 (+2 Dex, +26 natural, -4 size)
hp 264 (23d10+138)
Fort +21, Ref +15, Will +7
DR 10/-; Immune acid, electricity, fire, sonic
Weaknesses cold vulnerability

OFFENSE

Speed 40 ft.
Melee gore +31 (4d6+12 plus 1d6 fire/19-20) and bite +31 (2d6+12 plus 1d6 fire) and 2 hooves +29 (2d8+6 plus 1d6 fire) or Power Attack gore +25 (4d6+24 plus 1d6 fire/19-20) and bite +25 (2d6+24 plus 1d6 fire) and 2 hooves +23 (2d8+12 plus 1d6 fire)
Space 20 ft.; Reach 15 ft.
Special Attacks frightful charge, heat, rush

STATISTICS

Str 35, Dex 15, Con 22, Int 3, Wis 10, Cha 14
Base Atk +23; CMB +39 (+43 bull rush/overrun); CMD 51 (53 vs. bull rush/overrun)
Feats Awesome Blow, Cleave, Combat Reflexes, Great Cleave, Great Fortitude, Greater Bull Rush, Greater Overrun, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Critical (gore), Improved Overrun, Multiattack, Power Attack
Skills Perception +26
Languages Ignan
SQ godforged horns

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Frightful Charge (Su)

A hadhayosh can inspire terror by charging. A creature charged by a hadhayosh must succeed on a DC 23 Will save or become paralyzed with fear, remaining in that condition as long as they stay within 60 feet of the hadhayosh. This is a mind-affecting fear effect. The save DC is Charisma-based.

Godforged Horns (Ex)

A hadhayosh’s horns are treated as silver and cold iron for the purposes of overcoming damage reduction.

Heat (Ex)

A hadhayosh generates so much heat that its mere touch deals 1d6 fire damage. A hadhayosh controls the heat it emits, allowing it to carry riders without harming them.

Rush (Ex)

Once per minute, the hadhayhosh can move at a speed of 150 feet.

ECOLOGY

Environment warm hills and deserts
Organization solitary or pair
Treasure none

Created by a deity of the forge in ancient times, hadhayoshes tower over the lands, symbols of the power of the gods and the fury of the desert. While they look similar to oxen in general shape, these massive beasts have skin like beaten brass and flames that leap from their heads and backs in radiant manes. They are typically docile creatures motivated primarily by the urge to sleep, reproduce, and eat, in that order, though a certain wanderlust afflicts the beasts, causing them to roam over vast territories. When angered, hadhayoshes become ferocious, striking out with rage at any creature that would dare to challenge them They are not accustomed to lesser creatures causing trouble for them, though they often find themselves prey for other giants such as dragons. Strangely uniform in size, as if measured to divine specifics, all adult hadhayoshes stand 52 feet tall and weigh exactly 57 tons.

Although physically similar to a titanic ox, a hadhayosh’s body generates far greater heat and grows dense metal instead of normal horns or hooves. Although gigantic creatures, these massive oxen require surprisingly little food to survive and seem to be able to flourish by drinking any liquid. Some witnesses tell of seeing adult hadhayoshes drinking from volcanoes, lapping up magma thirstily without regard to the heat or chunks of cooling stone. Young hadhayoshes are rarely seen, the creatures’ low fecundity in part accounting for their rarity. When spotted, though, such youths appear much like full-grown gorgons with gleaming brass skin. Although appearing similar, little else connects the two species, though this hardly lessens the number of strange theories regarding their origins.

Habitat & Society

Hadhayoshes graze lightly over large territories, preferring warm, hilly regions and deserts. They enjoy areas with healthy amounts of foliage on which to dine, favoring trees over grasses because they are much easier to reach from their height. They travel frequently, sometimes staying in one locale for weeks, then spontaneously migrating hundreds of miles. Whenever possible they wait for at least a year before returning to the same area, seeming to dislike even passing through areas they’ve previously walked. Few obstacles serve as barriers to hadhayoshes, with some even walking between continents in their travels.

Many peoples believe sighting a hadhayosh is lucky, as the beasts so rarely return to regions they’ve visited before. When one of these fantastic creatures draws near, whole villages might turn out to watch it graze. More than once, though, such wonder has quickly turned to terror as the unmindful beast tramples the homes of its adorers.

Riding a Hadhayosh

Hadhayoshes are stubborn animals and, under most situations, refuse to allow even the most skilled handler to ride them. However, a suitable display of divine power impresses these creatures, changing their typical attitude of indifferent to helpful. To do this, a cleric or paladin must channel energy to heal (or harm) the hadhayosh for at least 18 hp in one round. The hadhayosh receives a will save whether it is being harmed or healed. A cleric with the Glory, Fire, Strength, or Sun domain gains a +2 bonus to the DC of this will save (having multiple domains does not cause the bonus to stack). This show of divine might awes a hadhayosh and convinces it to lower its heat ability. Once so compelled, it will allow the character and up to 11 allies to ride it, though the creature will not attack or otherwise go out of its way to aid its riders.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Pathfinder 21: The Jackal’s Price. Copyright 2009, Paizo Publishing, LLC; Author: Darrin Drader

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