dragon-magic-oef

Phynxkin
SAMPLE
ENCOUNTER
Phynxkin are wild hunters that rarely venture close enough
to civilization to pose a threat. However, travelers in untamed
regions of the world, particularly forests and jungles, should
be wary of phynxkin attacks.
Hunting Party (EL 3): Three phynxkin attempt to bring
down larger prey in order to feed the weaker and younger
members of their pack, hunting unprepared travelers through
the dense forest. Two of the phynxkin lie in wait by the side
of the trail, hidden from sight, while a third perches in a tree.
When unsuspecting travelers pass by, the phynxkin in the
tree leaps down on the rearmost target, while the other two
assault the front of the group, pinning the victims in the
middle.
ECOLOGY
Phynxkin are the distant descendants of ancient unions
between dragons and great jungle cats. Though all supernatural
traces of their draconic ancestry were bred out of
them long ago, phynxkin still physically resemble dragons
but show more of their animal heritage. They prefer to live in
forests and jungles, places that teem with good hunting and
allow them to hide from their prey before pouncing. Some
phynxkin bury themselves in the ground while hunting
so light won’t shine off their scales and alert potential prey,
though most prefer the darkness of a thick forest canopy or
jungle overgrowth.
As pack animals, phynxkin live in small groups of fifteen
to twenty, with an assorted mix of males, females, and cubs.
They nest in secluded areas that are well hidden from snooping
creatures, allowing their hunters to go out and retrieve
food without having to worry about defending their young.
Most hunters encountered in the wild are widely separated
from the pack. Intelligent for animals, phynxkin are capable
of long-term memory and sometimes end a particular hunt
to tend to their pack, resuming the chase weeks or months
later when the time is right.
Environment: Phynxkin prefer forests and jungles—the
thicker the overgrowth, the better. They operate well
in hot, cold, and temperate environments but stay
clear of deserts, badlands, and tundra, where they
have few places to hide. Some packs of phynxkin
prefer grasslands where wheat and other goldcolored
grains grow tall, allowing their hunters
to hunker down and blend in while pursuing
prey.
Typical Physical Characteristics: Phynxkin
stand roughly 3 feet tall and extend about 5 feet
from snout to rear. They have thick, stout legs and
sharp, curved claws that allow them to climb trees by
digging into the bark and pulling themselves up. Most
phynxkin weigh approximately 100 pounds during adulthood,
though particularly powerful specimens have been
known to weigh up to twice that. Female and male phynxkin
are indistinguishable from one another.
DIRE PHYNXKIN
A dire phynxkin is the result of a rare but natural evolution.
These creatures appear only in places where interaction
between humans and dragons is common. They usually bond
closely with humanoids, a habit that some scholars attribute
to genetic memory of their draconic ancestry.
Dire Phynxkin CR 4
Always N Large animal (dragonblood)
Init +7; Senses low-light vision, Listen +2, Spot +2
AC 16, touch 12, flat-footed 13; Dodge, Mobility
(–1 size, +3 Dex, +4 natural)
hp 51 (6 HD)
Fort +9, Ref +8, Will +4; +4 on saves against spells
Speed 50 ft. (10 squares), climb 30 ft.
Melee bite +9 (1d8+6) and
2 claws +4 each (1d6+3)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Base Atk +4; Grp +14
Atk Options pounce
Abilities Str 23, Dex 16, Con 19, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 12
Feats Dodge, Improved Initiative, Mobility
Skills Climb +14, Hide +3, Intimidate +3, Listen +2, Move
Silently +5, Spot +2
Pounce (Ex) When a dire phynxkin makes a charge, it can
follow with a full attack.
Illus. by Deschamps
CHAPTER 4
DRACONIC
BEASTS
117