Jason Andresen (order #1578489) - Jump page for Jubei

Spine Ripper
Medium Magical Beast
Hit Dice: 6d10+18 (51 hp)
Initiative: +1
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares)
Armor Class: 20 (+2 Dex, +8 natural), touch 12,
flat-footed 18
Base Attack/Grapple: +4/+9
Attack: Claw +9 melee (2d6+5 and poison)
Full Attack: 2 claws +9 melee (2d6+5 and poison)
and bite +4 melee (1d6+2)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Impale, impaling charge, poison
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, scent,
spine defense
There are few creatures here in the Iron Kingdoms
that roam far and wide enough to call the entire
continent their home. The speckled widow bear
is such a creature, as is the Iosan swooper, and
it troubles me that I must add the aggressive spine ripper to
that list as well. These beasts have been spotted as far north
as Ohk, as far west as the Scharde Islands, and my assistant
Edrea tells me that they are even known in the forests
of Ios. The spine ripper looks somewhat like
a very top-heavy and muscle-bound bear
with a huge maw and massive claws.
Yet it’s named for the many spines that
bristle across its body, and for all its
ferocity, it’s a simple creature that
lives only to hunt, forage, and feast
on just about anything. While
they seem like little more
than beasts, they are in truth
more advanced; I’ve even witnessed
primitive signs of evolution—tool
use, simple
communication, and
even teamwork.
Its wicked spines, I
have noted, are built
for far more than
just intimidation.
The spines jutting
from its body serve the creature
both defensively and offensively. Enemies
that try to attack it find it difficult to strike the spine ripper
160
Saves: Fort +8, Ref +7, Will +2
Abilities: Str 20, Dex 14, Con 16,
Int 4, Wis 10, Cha 9
Skills: Hide +7, Jump +8, Listen +3,
Move Silently +7, Spot +5
Feats: Alertness, Endurance, Improved Natural
Attack (claw)
Environment: Any land
Organization: Solitary or band (2–5)
Challenge Rating: 6
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 6–8 HD (Medium); 9–12 (Large)
Level Adjustment: —
without being hurt, and the beast is quite adept at maneuvering
those spikes so that opponents are unable to successfully
flank it. But what one should be far more concerned
about is the spine ripper’s ability to turn those spines around
and use them as lethal weapons—especially if it’s making a
diving leap at you!
Another even more deadly type of barb is found on the
thumb claw, and it bears a mild, but effective poison. Victims
struck by it immediately find their coordination and strength
sapped from their muscles. This is usually enough for the
spine ripper to overcome most prey.
Combat
In combat the spine ripper prefers to stalk
solitary or obviously weaker prey. It attempts
stealth until within about 100
feet or so when it charges. It
relies primarily upon the use of
its claws and spines. Although
not particularly intelligent,
the creature is somewhat
cunning and uses a mild
amount of strategy.
Poison
(Ex): Claws,
Fortitude
DC 16,
initial damage
1d4 Dex, secondary damage
1d4 Str. The save DC is Constitution-based.
Jason Andresen (order #1578489) 9