Swiftclaw

The Swiftclaw is a wild dinosaur that is native to the Am'Shere jungles and nowhere else. A prized mount of the sith-makar, they stand roughly ten feet tall, longer in length, and weigh about 2,500 lbs on average (though "draft" and "scout" versions may vary either side).

They are often compared to a larger version of a raptor or a smaller allosaurus, as they stand on powerful hind legs, with feet that are tipped with vicious claws. In the wild, they view almost anything and everything as potential prey. They also tend to travel in packs and close knit family units that hunt together under the guidance of a leading pair, a fact that has made keeping herds of them more possible for the sith-makar.

The clans of Am'shere typically capture them at a young age given the difficulty of their training, and the creature is now the mainstay for use as beasts of burden and mounts. Troglodyte and Lizardfolk mounted warriors are most likely to be seen riding these creatures, which are useful in combat for their speed, strength and immense predatory ferocity. Only the most skilled ride these creatures however, as they are known for their difficulty in training. Nevertheless, in the hands of a skilled rider, the Swiftclaw proves to be both a terrifying and effective contribution to the battlefield. 

Swiftclaws are rather similar to tigers, given their place in the food chain: they wander a range stealthily, looking and smelling for prey, and then adopt a careful approach and ambush attack, grappling, biting, and wounding the target grievously. The foreclaws of a swiftclaw are not as formidable as a tiger's front claws, but once it grapples with prey its rear talons are vicious.

Riding swiftclaws are usually available for around 600 gold, though this price will increase in markets further from Am'shere.

Breeds

The sith-makar typically keep two varieties of swiftclaw: the riding swiftclaw, and the war swiftclaw. The latter is limited to more experienced riders, and is more typical of what you would find in the wild. War swiftclaws are not purchasable. Companions are considered to be of this second group.

Riding Swiftclaw

Summary

CR: 2

N Large animal

Init: +2; Senses: low-light vision, scent; Perception +8

Defense

AC: 15, touch 10, flat-footed 13 (+2 Dex, +4 natural, -1 size)

HP: 19 (3d8+6)

Fort: +5, Ref: +5, Will: +2

Offense

Speed: 60 feet

Melee: bite +7 (1d8+3 plus grab), 2 foreclaws +1 (1d4+1) (foreclaws are secondary weapons)

Space: 10 feet; Reach: 10 feet

Special Qualities: mount bred

Statistics

Str: 16, Dex: 14, Con: 15, Int: 2, Wis: 12, Cha: 8

Base Atk: +2; CMB: +5 (+9 grapple); CMD: 19

Feats: Skill focus (Perception), Weapon Focus (bite)

Skills: Acrobatics +8, Perception +8, Stealth +8 (+10 in jungle), Racial Modifiers: +2 Acrobatics, +2 Stealth (+6 in jungle)

Special Abilities

Mount-bred (Ex): Though a two-legged creature, swifts are bred by the Children of the Flame as mounts. Treat their carrying capacity as x3, the same as a quadruped mount of similar size. Given Am'shere's dangerous qualities, however, they do not mess with their temperaments overmuch.

Wild Swiftclaw

Summary

CR: 4

N Large animal

Init: +6; Senses: low-light vision, scent; Perception +8

Defense

AC: 17, touch 11, flat-footed 12 (+2 Dex, +6 natural, -1 size)

HP: 45 (6d8+18)

Fort: +8, Ref: +7, Will: +3

Offense

Speed: 60 feet

Melee: bite +10 (2d6+6 plus grab), 2 foreclaws +4 (1d4+3) (foreclaws are secondary weapons)

Space: 10 feet; Reach: 10 feet

Special Attacks: pounce, rake (2 talons +9, 2d6+6)

Special Qualities: temperamental

Statistics

Str: 23, Dex: 15, Con: 17, Int: 2, Wis: 12, Cha: 10

Base Atk: +4; CMB: +11 (+15 grapple); CMD: 23

Feats: Improved Initiative, Skill focus (Perception), Weapon Focus (bite)

Skills: Acrobatics +10 (+22 jump), Perception +8, Stealth +7 (+11 in jungle), Swim +11; Racial Modifiers: +4 Acrobatics, +4 Stealth (+8 in jungle)

Special Abilities

Temperamental (Ex): Swiftclaws are at a +5 DC to train, and are considered ill-suited as mounts. If you fail any ride check by more than 5, the swiftclaw becomes unruly and uncontrollable. It requires a Ride check of DC 10 and a full round action to regain control. If this is failed, you are thrown and cannot attempt a soft fall, taking 1d6 and are prone. The swiftclaw will then attack the most credible enemy, which is usually based on height and proximity.

Swiftclaws usually operate with a medium load. This reduces their speed to 40 and reduces jump bonus to +5.

Swiftclaw Companions

Starting Statistics: Size Medium, Speed 60 ft.; AC +4 natural armor; Attack bite (1d6), 2 foreclaws (1d3) (secondary attacks)

Ability Scores: Str 13, Dex 17, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 10

Special Qualities: low-light vision, scent, temperamental, mount-bred

7th-level Advancement: Size Large; AC +2 natural armor; Attack bite (1d8), 2 foreclaws (1d4) (secondary attacks); Ability Scores Str +8, Dex -2, Con +4; Special Qualities grab (bite only), pounce, rake 1d8  

Mount-bred (Ex): Though a two-legged creature, swifts are bred by the Children of the Flame as mounts. Treat their carrying capacity as x3, the same as a quadruped mount of similar size. Given Am'shere's dangerous qualities, however, they do not mess with their temperaments overmuch.

Temperamental (Ex): Swiftclaws are at a +5 DC to train, and are considered ill-suited as mounts (even those specifically bred for this). If you fail any ride check by more than 5, the swiftclaw becomes unruly and uncontrollable. It requires a Ride check of DC 10 and a full round action to regain control. If this is failed, you are thrown and cannot attempt a soft fall, taking 1d6 and are prone. The swiftclaw will then attack the most credible enemy, which is usually based on height and proximity.

Swiftclaws usually operate with a medium load. This reduces their speed to 40 and reduces jump bonus to +5.