Converting "Real World" Animals and Vermin

[Shade]

So, time for a Working Draft?

Yep. Added to Homebrews.

I did not, however, that the standard hyena reaches Large at 4 HD. Should we make these guys Large?

 

[Cleon]

Yep. Added to Homebrews.

I did not, however, that the standard hyena reaches Large at 4 HD. Should we make these guys Large?

Well, they're a good deal under the standard lower weight limit of Large, but then so are Lions. Their estimated weight of 225 pounds or so is about that of a small lion.

So sure, why not make them Large. It'll let us bump up the bite damage dice.

Our conversion of the Hyaenodon has Str 22, so shall we give the Large Cave Hyena Str 18?

 

[freyar]

Sounds about right to me. And, yes, let's go up to 1d8 bite damage.

 

[Cleon]

Sounds about right to me. And, yes, let's go up to 1d8 bite damage.

Yup, that's what I was thinking.

A 1d8+6 damage bite is quite respectable.

 

[freyar]

Ok, good. Give them Weapon Focus for the other feat and split the 2 ranks between Listen and Spot?

 

[Shade]

Agreed. Updated.

 

[Cleon]

Agreed. Updated.

That looks fine.

 

[freyar]

Looks like a tough CR 2, I guess.
Environment looks fine.
5-8 HD (Large)?

 

[Cleon]

Looks like a tough CR 2, I guess.

Agreed.

Environment looks fine.

Cave hyenas were very wide ranging (covering practically all of Europe and Asia), preferred terrain with lots of grazers (horses, caribou et cetera...), and lived during the Ice Age (so shouldn't mind the cold).

I'd interpret that as "Environment: Cold or temperate plains".

5-8 HD (Large)?

Such an Advancement suits me.

 

[freyar]

I'd be happy with the modified environment line.

Then I think we just need a length and some text.