Epic Level Handbook

CHAPTER 5:MONSTERSBRACHYURUSLarge Magical BeastHit Dice: 38d10+684 (893 hp)Initiative: +18 (+14 Dex, +4 Improved Initiative)Speed: 80 ft.AC: 40 (+14 Dex, –1 size, +17 natural)Attacks: 2 claws +48 melee, 1 bite +46 meleeDamage: Claw 2d6+10/19–20, bite 3d6+5/19–20Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 10 ft./10 ft.Special Attacks: Frightful howl, savage 15d6+25Special Qualities: Blindsight 240 ft., DR 30/+5, darkvision60 ft., fast healing 10, low-light vision, SR 32,scent, acid, cold, electricity, fire, and sonic resistance20Saves: Fort +41, Ref +37, Will +25Abilities: Str 30, Dex 38, Con 47, Int 18, Wis 32, Cha 19Skills: Hide +20, Listen +33, Move Silently +34, Spot+35Feats: Alertness, Great Fortitude, Improved Bull Rush,Improved Critical (claw), Improved Critical (bite),Improved Initiative, Improved Trip, Iron Will, LightningReflexes, Multiattack, Weapon Focus (claw),Weapon Focus (bite)Epic Feats: Blinding Speed (×2)Climate/Terrain: AnyOrganization: Solitary, pair, or pack (5–10).Challenge Rating: 23Treasure: StandardAlignment: Usually lawful neutralAdvancement: 39–48 HD (Large); 49–58 HD (Huge);59–66 HD (Gargantuan); 67–135 HD (Colossal)Brachyuruses are the primordial stock from which alllesser wolves and canines devolved. Themythological Fenris Wolf itselfsprings directly from brachyurusstock.Brachyuruses appear asextraordinarily largewolves with bristlingmane of white andburnt redfur. Their teeth and claws, even for their extreme size,seem overlarge, but not in the least clumsy. The howl ofa brachyurus can frighten even the most hardened,experienced adventurer.Brachyuruses roam ancient savannahs lost to time,otherplanar wilds, or as single individuals among theirlesser kin in worlds where their presence is generallyunrealized. Esoteric hunters prize brachyurus pelts,though more often than not such a hunter becomesthe hunted.Brachyuruses can speak Common and can communicatewith all wolves.COMBATBrachyuruses are straightforward when on the prowl.They give loose to their frightful howl to break up agroup of opponents, then choose either a fleeingvictim or one left behind by fleeing companions. Thebrachyurus’s preferred tactic is to first use ImprovedTrip on an opponent, then immediately savage itsdowned foe with the ability of the same name.Brachyuruses working in tandem are particularlydeadly near tripped foes.Frightful Howl (Su): As a standard action, a brachyuruscan emit a howl in a 60-foot-radius spread thataffects opponents with fewer Hit Dice or levels than thebrachyurus has. The affected creature must make a successfulWill save (DC 33) or become shaken. Successindicates that the target is immune to that brachyurus’sfrightful howl for one day.Savage (Ex): If a brachyurus successfully trips anopponent, it latches onto the opponent’s body and tearsthe flesh. This attack automatically deals an additional15d6+25 points of damage.If an opponent goes prone for any reason (perhaps asthe subject of another brachyurus’s Improved Tripattack) in an area a brachyurus threatens, the brachyuruscan also savage the victim as a free action (treatas the brachyurus’s attack of opportunity for theround), even though it had nothing to do with trippingthe foe.COLOSSUSA colossus, as its name suggests, is a golemlikeconstruct of Colossal size. Colossi are magicallycreated automatons of close to godlikepower. Constructing one involvesthe employment of epic magic and elementalforces.CombatColossi are nigh unstoppablein combat, andrarely miss a target theyhave chosen to batter. Theyfollow instructions explicitly and areincapable of devising any strategy or tactics.170