[CR 2 Magical Beast] Howlrunner (OGC)

Art by Lenqi

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Howlrunner
This panther-like beast has striped sandy fur, a large mane and a bushy tail. Its snarling face is devoid of skin and somewhat resembles a human skull.
HOWLRUNNER CR 2
XP 600
N Medium magical beast (earth)
Init +6; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, scent; Perception +5
Defense
AC 15, touch 12, flat-footed 13 (+2 Dex, +3 natural)
hp 13 (2d10+2)
Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +1
Offense
Speed 40 ft.
Melee bite +2 (1d6), 2 claws +2 (1d4)
Special Attacks howl
Statistics
Str 11, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 6, Wis 12, Cha 13
Base Atk +2; CMB +2; CMD 14 (18 vs. trip)
Feats Improved Initiative
Skills Intimidate +1 (+5 to demoralize), Perception +5, Stealth +10; Racial Modifiers +4 Intimidate to demoralize, +4 Stealth
Languages Sylvan (can't speak), “Lassie” (if domesticated)
Special Abilities
Howl (Ex) Three times per day as a standard action, a howlrunner can emit a forlorn howl that can be heard up to a mile away. Any who hear the howl must make a DC 12 Will save to avoid becoming shaken for an hour. Creatures within 120 feet become panicked for 1d4+4 rounds, and those within 30 feet cower with fear for 1d4 rounds. This is a mind-affecting fear effect. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Ecology
Environment temperate forests or plains
Organization solitary, pair, or pride (2d3+4)
Treasure none

The howlrunner is believed to be a relative of the krenshar, and shares many behavioral similarities with that species. However, the howlrunner does not possess the krenshar’s characteristic retractable skin on its face: rather, the howlrunner’s face is permanently covered by a skull-like mask of ivory and cartilage. The howlrunner gets its name from its primary hunting method, where it frightens and herds it prey using a series of howls. Like the krenshar, the howlrunner is flexible and will feed on carrion if necessary, though it prefers fresh kills.

A more pressing distinction from the krenshar is that howlrunners pups can be captured and domesticated. Indeed, several communities have bred the creatures over centuries for use as hunting hounds, watchdogs, and companions. Such domesticated howlrunners behave very friendly and are great with children, despite their fearsome appearance, but are far more intelligent than any dog and are commonly taught a language of body signs and barks developed by their breeders known as “Lassie.” Furthermore, members of such communities have become so used to howlrunner howls that they are no longer frightened when they hear them.

Possibly due to their intelligence, there are rumors of abandoned children be taken in and raised by howlrunners, but the veracity of such stories is unknown. If such individuals do exist, they might become druids or rangers with a howlrunner “sibling” as a companion.

15. COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Open Game License v 1.0a Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
System Reference Document Copyright 2000-2003, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; Authors Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams, Rich Baker, Andy Collins, David Noonan, Rich Redman, Bruce R. Cordell, John D. Rateliff, Thomas Reid, James Wyatt, based on original material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson.
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook. © 2009, Paizo Publishing, LLC; Author: Jason Bulmahn, based on material by Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, and Skip Williams.
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Bestiary. © 2009, Paizo Publishing, LLC; Author: Jason Bulmahn, based on material by Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, and Skip Williams.
New Monster: The Howlrunner Copyright 2013, Author Kurt Marinko.