Nemean Lion (Spheres)

Nemean Lion CR 4

XP 1,200
Male indomitable lion
N Large magical beast (augmented animal)
Init +7; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, scent; Perception +9

Defense

AC 17, touch 12, flat-footed 14 (+3 Dex, +5 natural, -1 size)
hp 42 (5d8+20)
Fort +8, Ref +7, Will +2
Defensive Abilities guardian’s prowess, hardened, insuppressible; DR 5/–

Offense

Speed 40 ft.
Melee bite +8 (1d8+6 plus grab), 2 claws +8 (1d4+6)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Special Attacks pounce, rake (2 claws +8, 1d4+6)

Guardian Sphere – Packages (challenge); Talents Steel Hide

• challenge (move action, or expend martial focus as a swift; target takes a -3 penalty on attack rolls against others and a +3 bonus on attack rolls against you for 4 rounds)
• Steel Hide; end your challenge to negate a critical hit against you from a challenged target
• delayed damage pool (15 points)

Statistics

Str 23, Dex 17, Con 19, Int 3, Wis 12, Cha 6
Base Atk +3; CMB +10 (+14 grapple); CMD +23 (+27 vs. trip)
Feats: Extra Combat Talent (2), Improved Initiative, Run, Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Acrobatics +11, Perception +9, Stealth +8 (+12 in undergrowth); Racial Modifiers +4 Acrobatics, +4 Stealth (+8 in undergrowth)

About

Environment any plains
Organization solitary or nemean pack (1 nemean lion, 3-8 lions)
Treasure none

This lion’s metallic-gold coat gleams in the light, its toned, sculpted musculature forged like steel.

The nemean lion is a legendary creature said to be blessed by the divine’s wills, fates, or by sheer circumstance to be unbreakable.

Its body toughened and stronger than steel, able to resist strikes that would mortally wound any ordinary lion.

Nemean lion sightings are incredibly rare and stories of successfully hunted nemean lions are even rarer.

In many other respects, nemean lions are much like normal lions, except for their enhanced intelligence and cognitive ability.

A nemean lion knows when to pick its fights and will avoid confrontation with an enemy it recognizes as more powerful, even if that enemy is encroaching on its territory.

Legends and rumors say that a nemean lion’s pelt can make a cloak that is as strong and durable as the nemean lion itself, and as such, their pelts are incredibly valuable when successfully preserved. Skinning and properly preserving a nemean lion’s pelt requires a DC 25 Heal or Survival check which cannot be attempted more than once. Failing to properly recover and preserve the nemean pelt ruins it and magical attempts to repair the pelt do not preserve the pelt’s normal qualities.