Primal Beast

These robust beasts stand out when put to task. They can jump farther, run faster, and carry more weight than their normal counterparts. They are stubborn and do not react well to standing still. They crave hard work. They also grow throughout their life, never stopping that process. The growth is miniscule, but does continue up to their death.

To acquire a Primal Beast-bloodlined horse, the rider must give up a feat slot (writing Horse Bond in its place). The rider finds this colt in a giant’s campsite. Whether the rider tricks, steals, outwits, or overpowers its owner is up to the player and the GM. The giant should be a challenge to the hero and will doggedly pursue its colt, if left alive.

Bonus Feats: Acrobatic, Agile Maneuvers, Diehard, Great Fortitude, Improved Great Fortitude, Toughness

Bloodline Arcana: When performing an action that causes nonlethal damage (running, swimming, etc.) these tough horses receive a –2 to the damage roll (minimum of 1).

Bloodline Powers

Touch of Power (Sp)

At 1st level, the horse can bestow upon its rider a morale bonus on attack rolls, damage rolls, and Fortitude saving throws equal to 1/2 its animal companion level (minimum 1) for 1 round. The horse can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + its Charisma modifier (minimum 1).

Fearless (Ex)

At 3rd level, the horse gains a +4 bonus on saving throws made against fear and an additional +1 natural armor bonus above what the animal companion chart says. At 9th level, these bonuses double (+8 vs. fear, +2 to armor).

Powerful Growth (Ex)

At 7th level, compute the horse’s carrying capacity as if it was one size category larger than it actually is. The benefits of this ability stack with the effects of powers, abilities, and spells that change the subject’s size category. When subjected to a size modifier, treat the primal beast as one size larger if doing so is advantageous. Consider it one size larger when determining whether a creature’s special attacks based on size (such as grab or swallow whole) can affect it.

Giant Form (Su)

At 20th level, the horse can assume the Huge size category. Once it assumes its new size, it gains the following abilities:

• +8 size bonus to Strength
• –2 penalty to Dexterity
• +4 size bonus to Constitution
• +4 natural armor bonus
• Darkvision 60 feet

The horse can make this change up to six times a day in one-hour increments. Reverting back to its original size does not count against its daily total.