Dire Hyena (Hyaenodon)
CR: 3 XP: 800
N Large animal
Init: +2 Senses: low-light vision, scent Perception: +8
Defense
AC: 15, touch 11, flat-footed 13 (+2 Dex, +4 natural, –1 size)
hp: 26 (4d8+8)
Fort: +6 Ref: +6 Will: +2
Offense
Speed: 50 ft.
Melee: bite +6 (2d6+6 plus trip)
Space: 10 ft. Reach: 10 ft.
Statistics
Str: 18 Dex: 15 Con: 15 Int: 2 Wis: 13 Cha: 6
Base Atk: +3 CMB: +8 CMD: 20 (24 vs. trip)
Feats: Skill Focus (Perception, Stealth)
Skills: Perception +8, Stealth +7 (+11 in tall grass or heavy undergrowth), Racial Modifiers +4 Stealth in tall grass
Ecology
Environment: warm plains
Organization: solitary, pair, or pack (3–8)
Treasure: incidental
Description
Dire hyenas (known to many as hyaenodons) are more fearsome than their smaller cousins. While hyaenodons won’t turn down carrion as a handy meal, they much prefer to hunt for prey. A pack of dire hyenas rarely stops moving and hunting for anything other than sleep, mating, or food. Hyaenodons are 6 feet tall at the shoulder and often over 12 feet long.
They weigh 900 pounds.
Gnolls have been known to train hyaenodons to serve in their lairs as guardians, or more commonly as fearsome mounts.
This hyena is covered in shaggy, tan-colored fur with black and brown stripes.
This large hyena has a thick head, rheumy red eyes, and a mouth filled with sharp, powerful teeth.