Nothosaurus
by Jamie BatyHWR1 30
Large Animal
Hit Dice: 7d8+21 (52 hp)
Initiative: +6 (+2 Dex, +4 Improved Initiative)
Speed: 5 ft. (1 square), swim 60 ft. (12 squares)
Armour Class: 13 (-1 size, +2 Dex, +2 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 11
Base Attack/Grapple: +5/+13
Attack: Bite +8 melee (1d6 +4)
Full Attack: Bite +8 melee (1d6 +4)
Space/Reach: 10 ft. /10 ft.
Special Attacks: -
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Saves: Fort +8, Ref +7, Will +3
Abilities: Str 19, Dex 15, Con 17, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 9
Skills: Hide 0*, Listen +5, Spot +5, Survival +3, Swim +14
Feats: Alertness, Dodge, Improved Initiative, Swim-by attack (B)
Environment: Any aquatic
Organisation: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 5
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 8-14 HD (Large); 15-21 HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment: -
The nothosaurus is a voracious relative of the icthyosaurous and the plesiosaurus. It is commonly found in Lake Chitlaloc and warm southern rivers, as well as in nearby seas (Bay of Colima, Gulf of Aztlan, Northern Atlass ocean) and other lost world areas.
The nothosaurus has a shorter neck and thinner body than the plesiosaurus. Its diet is primarily fish, but it will attack swimmers and even the occasional small canoe. The Gulf of Aztlan is a prime gathering area for these dinosaurs. The nothosauri sun themselves, like great reptilian walruses, on the shore's rocks.
Azcans wisely avoid the nothosaurus whenever possible. If one seems to be particularly aggressive in seeking human prey or otherwise disrupting the rivers and lakes, a group of soldiers or adventurers will be dispatched to kill the beast.
Combat
The nothosaurus will ambush swimmers and the occasional victim on a beach or river bank. It uses its bite and may attempt to grapple non-aquatic creatures in the water.
Scent (Ex): This special quality allows a nothosaurus to detect approaching enemies, sniff out hidden foes, and track by sense of smell.
Skills: A nothosaurus gains a +8 racial bonus to any swim check. It may always take 10 on a swim check, even if distracted or endangered. It can use the run action while swimming, provided it swims in a straight line. *A nothosaurus has a +8 racial bonus on Hide checks in water.