Converting prehistoric creatures

[Shade]

Right back at you!

Ready for Diademodon? I can't determine from the link above if it is a herbivore or carnivore. Once we know that, we can "upsize" one of the other cynodonts to get some stats.

 

[demiurge1138]

Looks herbivorous to me. Probably wouldn't have said no to the occasional bit of carrion, but not a predator by any means.

 

[InsanePsychoRabbit]

Diademodon was an herbivore (but it had fangs like the other cynodonts), and I've managed to pull up some information about its lifestyle. According to this report on research of isotopes found in its teeth, the place it lived in was arid and seasonal, and it fed mostly in damp shady areas.

As far as its actual statistics go, I'd start out by upsizing our Exaeretodon and go with a total of 5 Hit Dice.

 

[Shade]

Let's go 7 HD (where Exaeretodon's HD progression left off)...

Cynodont, Diademodon
Large Animal
Hit Dice: 7d8+35 (66 hp)
Initiative: +0
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares)
Armor Class: 14 (-1 size, +5 natural), touch 9, flat-footed 14
Base Attack/Grapple: +5/+15
Attack: Bite +10 melee (1d6+9)
Full Attack: Bite +10 melee (1d6+9)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks: —
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Saves: Fort +10, Ref +5, Will +3
Abilities: Str 23, Dex 11, Con 21, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 4
Skills: Listen +7, Spot +7
Feats: Alertness, Endurance, 1 more
Environment: Temperate or warm plains
Organization: Solitary, pair, or herd (6-20)
Challenge Rating: 3?
Treasure: None
alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: x
Level Adjustment: —

 

[freyar]

Would these be reasonable to haev something like stampede to jazz them up a little?

 

[demiurge1138]

We should give these guys stampede like a bison, and Diehard for their other feat. From IPR's info on the isotopic ratios in their teeth, they should live in... hm. Warm and temperate forests? Damp and shady suggests to me lots of plant cover.

 

[Shade]

Added to Homebrews.

 

[freyar]

CR 3 is ok, I think. They're basically a bag of hp with a decent bite.

 

[demiurge1138]

I'd say CR 4, comparing them to the dire boar. The dire boar does more damage and has a wee bit higher AC, whereas the diademodon has quite a few more HP. Diehard and ferocity are functionally equal.

 

[InsanePsychoRabbit]

The report described the environment as semi-arid and similar to western South Africa today (but a bit drier), so I'm thinking more along the lines of scrubland than forests. Also I have the flavor text ready.


This creature somewhat resembles a huge boar, but it has a more primitive aspect. Its squat, barrel-shaped body bears a coat of fur, and a pair of fangs is just visible poking out of its mouth.

Diademodon is a cynodont, one of the more advanced forms of therapsid (“mammal-like reptile”). Living just before the rise of the first dinosaurs, this cynodont was a hardy nocturnal herbivore.

Diademodon was large for a cynodont, with individuals often growing to the size of a small cow.

Combat
Even though diademodon is an herbivore, its fangs give it a dangerous bite.