Seergar
by Jamie BatyGAZ8 67
Large Magical Beast
Hit Dice: 5d10+25 (52 hp)
Initiative: +3 (+3 Dex)
Speed: 60 ft. (12 squares), fly 70 ft. (good)
Armour Class: 15 (-1 size, +3 Dex, +3 natural), touch 12, flat-footed 12
Base Attack/Grapple: +5/+15
Attack: Bite +10 melee (2d4 +6)
Full Attack: Bite +10 melee (2d4 +6) and 2 claw +5 melee (1d4 +3)
Space/Reach: 10 ft. /5 ft.
Special Attacks: Dwarf hunter, improved grab, pounce, rake
Special Qualities: Darkvision 190ft., low-light vision, scent
Saves: Fort +9, Ref +7, Will +3
Abilities: Str 23, Dex 17, Con 20, Int 4, Wis 14, Cha 8
Skills: Balance +3, Climb +10, Hide +4*, Listen +6, Move Silently +10, Spot +6
Feats: Alertness, Flyby Attack
Environment: Any mountains
Organisation: Solitary, Pair, or Pride (2-5)
Challenge Rating: 4
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 6-10 HD (Large)
Level Adjustment: -
These thankfully rare winged lions lair only in the mountains of the Five Shires. They are named for the sound of their exultant screaming cry which they utter after making a kill or to attract fellows to attack prey they have just sighted. All of the races who have inhabited the Shires have hunted the seergar, although only the dwarves did it for sport. The seergar have returned the favour, attacking dwarves on sight with a deadly vigour.
Seergar are large and powerful, with shaggy coats that are flame-red, russet, brown, dun or even silky black in hue. They have bright green eyes and long curving fangs. Horses instinctively flee from the smell of a seergar if they get a chance. There are legends of warriors and mages that have ridden a seergar as a mount. Those familiar with seergars scoff at these tales, as a seergar tends to be too aggressive and dangerous to train and be used as a mount.
Seergar often battle griffons and prey upon pegasi. They are sleek, agile, and fast in the air, unlike the clumsier and heavier manticore. Seergar meat is said to have a heavy, smoky taste, but otherwise is similar to beef.
Only magical compulsion or food shortages such as those caused by severe winter weather will bring seergars down out of the mountains.
Combat
Seergars love to pounce from the air, beating their dark wings to drag a moving target standstill, raking with their claws and biting the head or neck, if they can get at it. It will resort to flying hit-and-run tactics if its foes prove to be a threat to it.
Dwarf Hunter (Ex): A seergar gains a +2 bonus on Listen, Spot, and Survival checks when using these skills against dwarves. Likewise, it gets a +2 bonus on damage rolls against dwarves.
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a seergar must hit with its bite attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can rake.
Pounce (Ex): When a seergar makes a charge, it can follow with a full attack including two rake attacks.
Rake (Ex): A seergar can rake with both back claws. Each has an attack bonus +10 melee and 1d4+2 damage.
Scent (Ex): This special quality allows a seergar to detect approaching enemies, sniff out hidden foes, and track by sense of smell.
Skills: Seergars have a +4 racial bonus on Climb, Hide, and Move Silently checks. *In rocky, mountainous areas, the Hide bonus improves to +12.