Crodlu
This creature is a large, flightless combination of bird and reptile resembling an ostrich. It has wicked claws at the end of its long fore and hind limbs, and its scaly hide is a yellowish red, with similar colors along its side and underbelly. Crodlu are a species of flightless, scaled avian that roams the wilderness in herds. They have powerful hind legs, which were built for jumping great lengths. Crodlu have very poor eyesight, but make up for it with an excellent sense of smell. Crodlu have great endurance, almost better than a mul‘s, and can run at high speeds for long periods of time. Female crodlu only lay one egg each year. When the chick hatches it is able to run and fight within minutes, having a great appetite. When it comes to feeding, crodlu will eat anything, preferring to hunt live game when there is some around over eating just vegetables. Crodlu herds can get as big as 30 strong. The herd leader is usually the largest, and will have more of a reddish scaly hide. Crodlu make great mounts, but are hard to control and train as such most of the time unless they are caught as chicks and are trained as mounts as they are being raised. Combat Crodlu attack with their fore claws first, and then bite. Sometimes they will substitute hind claws for fore claw attacks if they happen to be holding something or are unable to use their fore claws.
Crodlu CR 3
XP 800
N Large animal
Init +5; Senses low-light vision, Scent; Perception +7
Defense
AC 16, touch 14, flat-footed 11 (+2 natural, +5 Dex, –1 size)
hp 30 (4d8+12)
Fort +7, Ref +9, Will +3
Offense
Speed 50 ft.
Melee bite +6 (1d8+4/19–20 plus grab) and 2 claws +6 melee (1d6+4)
Space 10 ft., Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks pounce, rake (2 talons +6, 1d6+4)
Statistics
Str 18, Dex 20, Con 16, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 8
Base Atk +3; CMB +7 (+11 grapple); CMD 22
Feats Alertness, Endurance, Run
Skills Acrobatics +12(+22 Jump), Perception +7, Stealth +9; Racial Modifiers +10 racial bonus on Jump acrobatics checks
Ecology
Environment Plains
Organization Herd (5-30)
Treasure none
Description
Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a crodlu must hit with its bite attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can rake.
Pounce (Ex): When a creature with this special attack charges, it can make a full attack (including rake attacks if the creature also has the rake ability).
Rake (Ex): A creature with this special attack gains extra natural attacks under certain conditions, typically when it grapples its foe. In addition to the options available to all grapplers, a monster with the rake ability gains two free claw attacks that it can use only against a grappled foe. The bonus and damage caused by these attacks are included in the creature’s description. A monster with the rake ability must begin its turn already grappling to use its rake—it can’t begin a grapple and rake in the same turn. 2 talons +6 melee, damage 1d6+4
Carrying Capacity: A light load for a crodlu is 466 pounds; a medium load, 467-932 pounds; a heavy load, 933-1,400 pounds. A crodlu can drag 7,000 pounds
Skills: Crodlu receive a +10 racial bonus when Jumping on Acrobatics checks.
Crodlu Companions
Companion Type Animal
Starting Statistics: Size Large; Speed 50 ft.; AC +4 natural armor; Attack bite (1d6), 2 claws (1d4); Ability Scores Str 14, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 8; Special Qualities low-light vision, scent.
7th-Level Advancement: AC +2 natural armor; Attack bite (1d8), 2 claws (1d6); Ability Scores Str +4, Dex +4, Con +4; Special Attacks grab, pounce, rake 2 talons, (1d6)