Wolf, Gaunt
The Gaunt Wolf is a descendent species that traces back to feral Brawny Wolves. Living and hunting in packs, these creatures no longer look to any of the Peoples for comfort or security; People are either potential threats, or potential food.
Their bodies are covered with fur, which can range from pale grey to almost jet black in color. It is rarely a single uniform color, with mottled fur providing a camouflage effect in the dappled sunlight of a forest floor.
The creatures are usually encountered in packs led by an Alpha Male and Alpha Female - each of these are almost always the largest two creatures in the pack. When hunting for food, they instinctively select the weakest target if several options present themselves, and will concentrate attacks on that target. These tactics tend to dominate their approach to encounters with Adventurers as well, though a large pack will break into smaller groups to attack multiple threats as those threats become obvious.
Name
Gaunt Wolf
Alternate Names
Grey Wolf (in temperate biomes)
Timberwolf (in subarctic biomes)
Type
Animal
Size
Medium, 3.5ft (100cm) at shoulder;
65-100lbs (30-45kg)
Habitat
Common: temperate and subarctic forest or mountains
Uncommon: arctic mountains
Rare: tropical forest
Laurels & Loot Gamemaster Notes
Description
Gaunt Wolves are muscular, lean quadrupedal creatures. Their forepaws have four sharp claws capable of rending flesh; their hind limbs are powerful enough to permit the creature to leap as much as 10' (3m) horizontally and 5' (1.5m) vertically without breaking stride. Their jaws are also powerful weapons, with sharp pointed teeth capable of either tearing flesh or grappling prey.Their bodies are covered with fur, which can range from pale grey to almost jet black in color. It is rarely a single uniform color, with mottled fur providing a camouflage effect in the dappled sunlight of a forest floor.
The creatures are usually encountered in packs led by an Alpha Male and Alpha Female - each of these are almost always the largest two creatures in the pack. When hunting for food, they instinctively select the weakest target if several options present themselves, and will concentrate attacks on that target. These tactics tend to dominate their approach to encounters with Adventurers as well, though a large pack will break into smaller groups to attack multiple threats as those threats become obvious.
Timberwolf (in subarctic biomes)
65-100lbs (30-45kg)
Uncommon: arctic mountains
Rare: tropical forest
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The Alpha Male and Alpha Female of the pack use d6 rather than d4 for their attack dice. Any individual Gaunt Wolf will attempt to flee from combat if it should lose half its maximum Injury Points (either 1 IP if encountered solo, or 2IP if encountered in a pack. If escape is impossible, they will attack with extra ferocity, increasing their normal damage dice from d4 types to d6 (or from d6 to d10 for alpha males or females).
(Statblock to be provided)
Gamemaster Notes
Gaunt Wolves will typically be encountered in packs of 4 to 24 (4d6) members, though encounters with solitary animals are possible. When a lone creature is encountered, it will typically be near the smaller end of the size scale. When a pack is encountered, Gaunt Wolves gain Pack Tactics abilities as follows: Individuals gain two additional Injury Points, and if two or more creatures attack the same opponent, that opponent can only apply its DEX bonus to defense against a single attacker.The Alpha Male and Alpha Female of the pack use d6 rather than d4 for their attack dice. Any individual Gaunt Wolf will attempt to flee from combat if it should lose half its maximum Injury Points (either 1 IP if encountered solo, or 2IP if encountered in a pack. If escape is impossible, they will attack with extra ferocity, increasing their normal damage dice from d4 types to d6 (or from d6 to d10 for alpha males or females).
(Statblock to be provided)
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