Melee Atk
• claw +5 (1d8)
• bite +8 (1d4)
• pounce +2 (1d6, or 1d6 + an Act Die)
AC 17
HD 3d8+10
MV 50
Act 2d20
SP surprise
Fort +11
Ref +7
Will +4
AL N
A carrion beast is a predator that preys primarily on scavenger animals. Its most prominent feature is an ability to blend in with the animal remains on which scavengers typically feed. It achieves this through its secondary digestive tract and secondary circulatory system.
The secondary digestive tract handles the bones of the beast's own prey, depositing them under a thin membrane on the beast's back and flanks. Here they protrude off of the beast in an essentially random fashion. When near freshly killed remains and detecting anything else approaching, the beast's secondary circulatory system kicks in, secreting blood through the membrane, causing the entire back of the beast to appear as fresh kill.
When scavenger creatures approach, the beast remains low and still, waiting for the scavengers to get close enough to attack. Fooled by the beasts' camouflage, the scavengers' lives end quickly as their intended meals rise up and overcome them.
They surprise their prey on a 5-in-6, owing to animal patience and stealth. If using the pounce attack from surprise, double the to-hit bonus, raising it to +4.
They are particularly troubling for humanoid-kind when a battlefield has been infiltrated by the beasts in the wake of a battle...
They typically travel in a pack of 3-5 adults, with possibly 2-7 pups in the Spring and early Summer. For the pups' stats, cut all numbers in half, rounding down, and use a die of half the size for all dice, except as follows: AC 8-14, MV 20-30, Action Die 1d16 or 1d20.
To be clear, their pounce attack does 1d6 damage normally — but both Action Dice can be used in this attack, one for the attack roll, and one to add to the damage.
