Skill oddities

[andargor]

In the SRD, the sample Adult Force Dragon (in Epic Monsters) has the following skills:

Hit Dice: 45d12+585 (877 hp)
...
Abilities: Str 51, Dex 10, Con 37, Int 38, Wis 39, Cha 38
...
Skills:Appraise +50, Bluff +62, Concentration +61, Craft (alchemy) +50, Diplomacy +74, Escape Artist +48, Gather Information +20, Intimidate +68, Jump +32, Knowledge (all) +56, Listen +64, Search +72, Sense Motive +50, Spellcraft +68, Spot +74

Since it's 45 HD, its max ranks should be 48. How can it possibly get skill bonuses in the +70 range? Look at the Listen, Search and Spot bonuses. The basic dragon description says that they max out those skills. Why Search +72 and Spot +74, when Listen is only +64? The Int and Wis modifiers are the same...

Andargor

 

[Hypersmurf]

Possessions...

-Hyp.

 

[Sammael]

Yup. It has the circlet of eyes.

 

[was]

Synergy bonuses?
'Listen is only +64' = relying on some type of tremorsense?

 

[andargor]

Ah! Yes, I had thought of synergy bonuses, but they weren't enough to boost the skill bonuses up in the '70s range. But I hadn't checked possessions.

Thanks!

Andargor