Roleplaying
Originally Posted by
Shade of the En World forums.
| 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./5 ft. |
| Special Attacks | Stampede |
| 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, Diehard, Endurance |
| Environment | Temperate or warm plains |
| Organization | Solitary, pair, or herd (6-20) |
| Challenge Rating | 4 |
| Treasure | None |
| Alignment | Always neutral |
| Advancement | 8-14 HD (Large) |
| Level Adjustment | — |
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. It roams semi-arid scrublands looking for food.
Diademodon was large for a cynodont, with individuals often growing to the size of a small cow, weighing up to 1,000 pounds.
COMBAT
Even though diademodon is an herbivore, its fangs give it a dangerous bite.
Stampede (Ex): A frightened herd of diademodons flees as a group in a random direction (but always away from the perceived source of danger). They literally run over anything of Large size or smaller that gets in their way, dealing 1d12 points of damage for each five diademodons in the herd (Reflex DC 19 half). The save DC is Strength-based.
Originally appeared as "cynodont" in Dragon Magazine #112 (1986).