Swiftclaw

     The Swiftclaw is a wild dinosaur that is native to the Am'Shere Jungles and nowhere else. They stand roughly ten feet tall, and weigh about 1000 lbs on average. They are often compared to a larger and even more vicious version of a Velociraptor, as they stand on powerful hind legs, with feet that are tipped with vicious claws. In the wild, they view almost anything and everything as potential prey. They also tend to travel in packs and close knit family units that hunt together under the guidance of an Alpha member. Their young and eggs are frequently captured by intelligent beings, and the creature is now the mainstay that two of the Clans of Am'Shere use as beasts of burden and mounts. Troglodyte and Lizardfolk mounted warriors are most likely to be seen riding these creatures, which are useful in combat for their speed, strength and immense predatory ferocity. Only the most skilled warriors ride these creatures however, as they are extremely reluctant to serve as mounts to anyone. They must be controlled through a combination of skill and constant reminder (whether physical or psychological) of who is in charge. Nevertheless, in the hands of a skilled rider, the Swiftclaw proves to be both a terrifying and effective contribution to the battlefield. 

     Swiftclaws are rather similar to tigers, given their place in the food chain: they wander a range stealthily, looking and smelling for prey, and then adopt a careful approach and ambush attack, grappling, biting, and wounding the target grievously. The foreclaws of a swiftclaw are not as formidable as a tiger's front claws, but once it grapples with prey its rear talons are vicious.

CR 4

N Large animal

Init +6; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +8

Defense

AC 14, touch 11, flat-footed 12 (+2 Dex, +6 natural, -1 size)

hp 45 (6d8+18)

Fort +8, Ref +7, Will +3

Offense

Speed 60 feet

Melee bite +10 (2d6+6 plus grab), 2 foreclaws +4 (1d4+3) (foreclaws are secondary weapons)

Space 10 feet; Reach 10 feet

Special Attacks pounce, rake (2 talons +9, 2d6+6)

Special Qualities temperamental

Statistics

Str 23, Dex 15, Con 17, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 10

Base Atk +4; CMB +11 (+15 grapple); CMD 23

Feats Improved Initiative, Skill focus (Perception), Weapon Focus (bite)

Skills Acrobatics +10 (+22 jump), Perception +8, Stealth +7 (+11 in jungle), Swim +11; Racial Modifiers +4 Acrobatics, +4 Stealth (+8 in jungle)

Temperamental (Ex): Swiftclaws are at a +5 DC to train, and are considered ill-suited as mounts (-5 on Ride checks).

     If you fail any ride check by more than 5, the swiftclaw becomes unruly and uncontrollable. It requires a Ride check of DC 10 and a full round action to regain control. If this is failed, you are thrown and cannot attempt a soft fall, taking 1d6 and are prone. The swiftclaw will then attack the most credible enemy, which is usually based on height and proximity.

     Swiftclaws usually operate with a medium load. This reduces their speed to 40 and reduces jump bonus to +5.

Swiftclaw companions

Starting Statistics: Size Medium, Speed 60 ft.; AC +4 natural armor; Attack bite (1d6), 2 foreclaws (1d3) (secondary attacks); Ability Scores Str 13, Dex 17, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 10; Special Qualities low-light vision, scent, temperamental

7th-level advancement Size Large; AC +2 natural armor; Attack bite (1d8), 2 foreclaws (1d4) (secondary attacks); Ability Scores Str +8, Dex -2, Con +4; Special Qualities grab (bite only), pounce, rake 1d8