Bunyip

Bunyip (CR 3)1
Medium magical beast (amphibious)
Init 13; Senses darkvision, keen scent 180 ft.; Notice 13
Defense
AC 15, touch 13, flat-footed 12
(+3 Dex, +2 natural)
HP 32 (5d10+5)
Fort +5, Ref +7, Will +1
Offense
Speed 10 ft., swim 50 ft.
Melee bite +7 (1d8+1/19–20 plus bleed)
Special Attacks bleed (1d6), blood rage, roar (W-DC 13; 2d4 rounds)
Statistics
Str 13, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 11, Cha 7
Base Atk +5; CMB +6; CMD 19
Feats Improved Critical (bite)B, Skill Focus (Perception), Skill Focus (Stealth), Weapon Focus (bite)
Skills Escape Artist +8, Perception +3, Stealth +10
SQ camouflage
Ecology
Environment marine
Organization solitary or pair
Treasure none
Special Abilities
Blood Rage (Ex) A bunyip’s blood rage ability activates whenever it detects blood in the water using its keen scent, but otherwise functions as the universal monster rule of the same name.
Roar (Su; fear, sonic; Con) A bunyip’s roar is supernaturally loud and horrifying. When a bunyip roars (a standard action), all hearing creatures with 3 or fewer HD within a 100-foot spread must succeed on a DC 13 Will save or become panicked for 2d4 rounds. Whether or not the save is successful, creatures in the area are immune to the roar of that bunyip for 24 hours.

The bunyip is a fierce and avid hunter, possessing a primal ruthlessness that seems almost evil in its rapacity. A bunyip typically inhabits large freshwater inlets or sheltered coastal sea caves where food is plentiful—the bunyip is equally at home in fresh or salt water. It prefers feeding on animals of Small size or larger, though it isn’t averse to eating humanoids when presented the opportunity. Bunyips are quite territorial, and readily attack when intruders threaten their hunting grounds. Bunyips mate annually, during the late spring. During this period, bunyips become even more aggressive. After mating, couples split, with the female wandering off to find a place to birth a small litter of four to six pups. Females watch their pups for a few days, until they become independent enough for the mothers to move on.

Reports of bunyip sightings come from every end of the map. Though the accuracy of all such reports remains doubtful, enough reliable accounts exist to confirm their widespread adaptability. The species thrives in numerous ecological climes, from frigid polar fjords to idyllic tropical lagoons. The bunyip is not a deep-sea creature, and even avoids larger freshwater lakes, as it prefers to lurk near shorelines where its favorite food is more common.

While bunyips vary in appearance, all possess similar basic physical structures. The bunyip’s head exhibits strong seal-like features, save for its shark-like jaws. Its upper torso is thick and muscular, with long, fin-like limbs. Some species even have a single, shark-like dorsal fin. The remaining portion of the body extends into a long tail. Those with fur usually only grow a short coat on the upper body in shades of pale gray, brown, or black.


Knowledge (Arcana)
DC 18: Bunyips are fierce aquatic hunters, inhabiting fresh and salt water in every climate zone.
DC 23: Like a shark, a bunyip can scent blood in the water at a distance, entering a blood rage state and attacking.
DC 28: The roar of a bunyip is supernaturally loud and horrifying, panicking weak creatures and allowing the predator to feed.
DC 33: Unlike seals or sharks, which it resembles, bunyips are solitary, except in mating season, when they become even more aggressive.

OPEN GAME LICENSE Version 1.0a - All text is Open Game Content.