Monsters of the Jade Oath (Zhyan; the Giant's Beast)

I got my first patron yeasteray for the Heroes of the Jade Oath, and it was even a senior patron. I am pretty damn happy I did not even go 24 hours :).

I will be doing a Lands of the Jade Oath theme posts this week.

Zhyan; the Giant’s Beast
Suzerain Elder Dire Dog,
Medium Magical Beast (augmented animal)
Hit Dice: 3d10+12 (28hp/-5/-19)
Initiative: +3
Speed: 60ft.
Armor Class: 20 (+3 Dex, +3 natural +4 morale bonus), touch 17, flat-footed 17 (24/21;+4 dodge bonus vs. ranged attacks.)
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+8
Attack: Bite +12 melee (1d6+9)
Full Attack: Bite +12 melee (1d6+9)
Face/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Born to lead, Dominate kin,
Special Qualities: darkvision, dauntless courage 30’ radius, enchanting presence, low-light vision, scent
Saves: Fort +11, Ref +10, Will +8
Abilities: Str 21, Dex 17, Con 19, Int 12, Wis 17, Cha 14
Skills: Jump +18, Listen +11, Spot +11, Survival +16
Feats: Defensive Move, Power attack, Power Charge, track (b)

Environment: any urban
Organization: Pack (“Zhyan ” and 11 dogs)
Challenge Rating: 4
Treasure: 50% coins, standard goods, standard items.
Advancement: (5-6) medium (7-9) large or by character class

DESCRIPTION

“You see a powerfully built canine that exudes strength, with a massive fawn colored body nearly 8 feet in length, a deep set of wrinkles covers its broad muzzle, triangular ears, and deep brown eyes. It must weigh over 300 lbs. Yet looking at it you feel a sense of enchantment rather than fear”

“You two-foots have breed, my kith and my kin for generations to be companions and servants, However unlike them I have a choice, I will be no two-foots servant, and my companions are my kith and kin. Too many of my brethren have been left to fend for themselves after your kind discarded them having breed most of our survival instincts out of us. I face the greatest conflict of my life, return them to the wild or carve a place of our own out of your civilization. “ –Zhyan, as quoted in Monsters of the Jade Oath, recorded by Stave Beast-speaker, Ollamh Lorekeeper of the Harrowdeep Court.

I was breed from what you would call Shar Pei stock, and I stand 2 and ½ o2f your feet at my shoulder, in size I am closest to the four-footers you call mules. My hair is short and I keep it well groomed compared to my brethren of the streets I live with, those which you would call mongrel dogs.

I seek only to help my brethren have the life they choose to live, I will not force them to freedom, if they are happy in their servitude or companionship so be it. Yet I will not allow them to interfere in the freedom of another to make their own choice. I will fight them but I will not kill my brethren if they oppose me.

I give each of my kith and kin a choice they did not have in birth, to leave the city for the wilds or to find a claim our own territory within them. I organize them into packs and forge alliances with those of my kith who have masters and mistresses. I have made an pact with several two-footers who assist and serve me, as they take my offspring to other cities so that more of my kind may be served, in return my kin and I relay information we have learned to them. I have also made the occasional arrangement to help track those who have or could cause harm to my brethren

COMBAT

Zhyan engages in combat over territory, food and in the defense of other dogs. He is virtually never without a pack of eleven other dogs that are fanatically loyal to him.
He never attacks with surprise always warning off intruders with the packs barks and growls, as it is the rare creature that understands the language of dogs; he often uses his Stirring Speech ability on the two dogs closest to him. The pack gains the benefits of his Inspiring Example if within range.

1st round-Dominate Kin any dog in the service of his opponents or power charge (see below) the pack attacks by targeting a single foe and flanking the foe if possible.
2nd round-Attack using power attack (power charge),
3rd round-Attack, if flanking power attack Bite +9 melee (1d6+12)
4th round- If flanking power attack Bite +9 melee (1d6+12), or Stirring Speech dogs if a pack member is down.
5th round-Flee with pack at maximum possible speed, if any of the pack has been taken down.

Born to Lead (Ex): So long as another free-willed dog is within sight and capable of witnessing its actions, the suzerain has a +4 morale bonus to AC, attacks, damage rolls, checks, and saves. Mounts, familiars, animal companions, and trained animals do not count as free-willed creatures for the purpose of this bonus. These bonuses are included in the stat block above

Wild Empathy (Ex): Zhyan can improve the attitude of an animal. This ability functions just like a Diplomacy check to improve the attitude of a person. Zhyan rolls 1d20+5 (with an additional +4 when dealing with dogs) to determine the wild empathy check result. The typical domestic animal has a starting attitude
of indifferent, while wild animals are usually unfriendly.
To use wild empathy, Zhyan and the animal must be able to study each other, which means that they must be within 30 feet of one another under normal visibility conditions. Generally, influencing an animal in this way takes 1 minute, but, as with influencing people, it might take more or less time.
Zhyan can also use this ability to influence a magical beast with an Intelligence score of 1 or 2, but he takes a -4 penalty on the check.

Dauntless Courage (Ex): Zhyan is immune to fear. In addition, any allies within 30 feet that view Zhyan as their leader are immune to fear effects.

Dominate Kin (Su): Zhyan can dominate dogs. This ability works like the dominate animal spell, allowing the creature to control a number of other dogs (max 6 HD). This ability affects creatures normally immune to mind-influencing effects, unbound and does not require a truename.

Enchanting Presence (Su): The first time a creature other than a PC comes within 30 feet of Zhyan, its attitude toward Zhyan shifts one category toward the positive, if it was not initially hostile. Thus, unfriendly creatures become indifferent, indifferent creatures become friendly, and friendly creatures become helpful. This shift can be further modified by Zhyan’s actions, or it might change over time naturally. The creature must be able to see, hear, or otherwise notice Zhyan to be affected. Enchanting presence is a mind-affecting enchantment effect. PCs are aware of this enchanting presence but are unaffected by this ability.

Inspiring Example (Ex): Each ally within 60 feet of Zhyan that can see or hear him gains a +2 morale bonus on all attack and damage rolls, checks, and saves so long as Zhyan is alive.

Speech (Ex): Zhyan can speak like a human (though his voice is unique, and can be difficult to understand). It can learn to speak any language, but usually only speaks Common. Zhyan retains the ability to speak with dogs.

Stirring Speech (Su): 2/day as a standard action, Zhyan can inspire greatness in its allies, granting them extra fighting capability. Zhyan can target 2 allies. To inspire greatness, Zhyan must say a few inspiring words (or sounds, if it is incapable of speech), and the targeted allies must hear them. The effect lasts for 5 rounds.
A creature inspired with greatness gains 2 bonus Hit Dice (d10s), the commensurate number of temporary hit points (apply the target’s Constitution modifier, if any, to these bonus Hit Dice), a +2 competence bonus on attack rolls, and a +1 competence bonus on Fortitude saves. The bonus Hit Dice count as regular Hit Dice for determining the effects of spells such as sleep. Inspire greatness is a mind-affecting ability...

Skills: Zhyan has a +4 racial bonus on Jump checks. Zhyan has a +4 racial bonus on Survival checks when tracking by scent. These are included in the stat block above.

LORE
Delve the Collective Memory, Gather Information, or Knowledge (dangerous beasts); characters can learn more about Zhyan. When a character makes a successful check, the following lore is revealed, including the information from lower DCs.

Common (DC 10): The Alpha Male of this pack is called Zhyan or The Giant’s Beast; he is a magical beast “dire” version of his species, he has gained an “elder” status granted by the power of the land and is considered a magical beast rather than an animal, he has also
become a “mandarin” over all the dogs of this area.

Uncommon (DC 14): Read aloud Zhyan’s quotation from “Monsters of the Jade Oath” in the description section

Rare (DC 19): Zhyan gains as does those following him a significant near spiritual benefit when leading a pack of dogs or even a single dog. Although most dogs will follow him without question, holding him in the highest regard, he can control any dog regardless of circumstance. He is a valiant leader, and lends his dauntless courage to his close companions. Those witnesses to his presence always seem to favor him. Like all canines, Zhyan can track by scent though his ability tends to exceed all other dogs.

Obscure (DC 29): If you can prevent Zhyan from leading dogs against you, he is not as formidable of a foe. Separating him from his allies and pack with a wall or other barrier is your safest option. Though killing them all works as well. He is also an intelligent creature whom you can negotiate with.

Epic (DC 39): Zhyan is actually an agent of the Dragons in their covert actions against the Jade Throne, supplying them with information that other dogs, and his offspring, who share his gifts, share with him, though he will never pass along information that may place a dog in jeopardy.

A More Compelling Encounter (EL 6):
Recently a PC injured or killed a dog; Zhyan is looking for revenge and future security for other dogs. They are lured at night to a covered, unlit, unpaved back alley where the packs heighted senses grant them advantage, the ground is nothing but slick mud, but the packs four-footed nature makes them immune.

Conditions: Blind (without light source or darkvision) Balance check (DC 10 or fall prone)