Lupasus
by Jamie BatySCMC
Large Magical Beast
Hit Dice: 5d10+25 (52 hp)
Initiative: +2 (+2 Dex)
Speed: 50 ft. (10 squares), fly 90 ft. (average)
Armour Class: 14 (-1 size, +2 Dex, +3 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 12
Base Attack/Grapple: +5/+14
Attack: Bite +10 melee (2d6 +5)
Full Attack: Bite +10 melee (2d6 +5)
Space/Reach: 10 ft. /5 ft.
Special Attacks: -
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60ft., low-light vision, scent
Saves: Fort +9, Ref +6, Will +3
Abilities: Str 20, Dex 15, Con 21, Int 5, Wis 14, Cha 13
Skills: Diplomacy +2, Listen +10, Sense Motive +5, Spot +10, Survival +1*
Feats: Alertness, Fly-By Attack (B), Track (B), Weapon Focus (Bite)
Environment: Any non-desert land
Organisation: Solitary, Pair, Family (2-5), or Pack (5-20)
Challenge Rating: 2
Treasure: Pelt (50-100 gp each)
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 6-10 HD (Large); 11-15 HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment: +2 (cohort)
These huge winged wolves are native to the Yazak steppes. Wild lupasi are most often found roaming the steppes and the skies of Yazak, north of Renardy. Lupasi are equally at home on prairies, in forest lands, and on all but the highest mountains.
Lupasi come in various colours and breeds, much like horses or dogs. The Lupasaner breed from the Louvines Royal Kennels are especially renowned for their distinctive pure grey colour and their ability to perform highly complex precision manoeuvres. Other noteworthy breeds include the strangely patterned Lupaquins, the two-coloured Lupintos, and the stocky Appalupas.
Wild lupasi are most often found roaming the steppes and the skies of Yazak, north of Renardy. Lupasi are equally at home on prairies, in forest lands, and on all but the highest mountains.
It is extremely difficult to tame or capture lupasi. Wild lupasi generally try to avoid humanoids, although they will occasionally associate with solitary lupins. Lupin knights and paladins sometimes befriend lupasi, in which case they accompany the knights out of friendship, not servitude. To do this, a lupin knight or paladin must live with a pack of lupasi for 1 full year.
The den of a lupasus may be a cave, a thicket, or a hole in the ground. The breeding season is in the spring, and the female has a litter of three to nine cubs. The cubs normally stay with the parents until the following winter, when they start to fly. Parents and young constitute a basic pack, which establishes and defends a marked territory. Larger packs may also assemble, particularly in the winter. Packs will always have designated leaders.
Wild lupasi usually prey on small animals and birds. When lupasi hunt more dangerous animals, they always hunt in packs, with a close degree of cooperation.
Lupasus pelts are thick and beautiful, often bringing high prices (in excess of 100 gold pieces in good condition) on the black market. Except in self-defence, killing a wild lupasus is against the law in Renardy, and possessing a lupasus pelt (however obtained) is a hanging offence.
An adult lupasus measures up to 8 feet in length, not including the tail, and may weigh up to 1,000 pounds. A typical lupasus is grey (with black patches above and white below), powerful teeth, a bushy tail, and round pupils.
Combat
Lupasi attack with their bite, swooping down onto foes. However, lupasi often prefer to attack from the ground, not using their wings at all, so being forced into ground combat is not a huge concern for them.
Lupasi are cunning hunters and trackers. Should a large or powerful creature be attacked by one, it is likely part of an ambush and more lupasi are sure to attack.
Scent (Ex): This special quality allows a lupasus to detect approaching enemies, sniff out hidden foes, and track by sense of smell.
Skills: A lupasus has a +4 racial bonus to all Spot and Listen skill checks. *Lupasi have a +4 racial bonus on Survival checks when tracking by scent.
Carrying Capacity: A lupasus can carry up to 400 lbs as a light load, 401 to 800lbs as a medium load and 801 to 1200lbs as a heavy load.
The Red Curse
Lupasi that live in the cursed areas acquire Legacies and require cinnabryl. However, although few ever acquire this magical metal, lupasi tend to manifest very mild forms of Affliction