
Archives of Nethys

Archives of Nethys

Pathfinder RPG (1st Edition) Pathfinder RPG (2nd Edition) Starfinder RPG

All Creatures
Abilities | Monsters | NPCs
All | Families | Templates
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

PFS StandardCompsognathus

The compsognathus is a small bipedal dinosaur that moves in swift, darting motions. Its bite injects a venom that causes numbness and weakness, a trait the animal uses to bring down larger prey, although it prefers to scavenge or snatch insects and other smaller creatures for its meals.

The compsognathus is curious to a fault, often getting itself into trouble. It measures 3 feet long from head to tail and weighs 15 pounds—small enough to serve as a house pet or familiar for a spellcaster. In cases where magical links aren't involved, however, those keeping the creature would be well-advised to treat it with the same caution one might extend to a pet viper or other poisonous reptile, as they're partly tame at best.

Recall Knowledge - Animal (Nature): DC 13
Unspecific Lore: DC 11
Specific Lore: DC 8

Elite | Normal | Weak
Proficiency without Level

CompsognathusCreature -1

Tiny Animal Dinosaur 
Source Monster Core pg. 96
Perception +5; low-light vision, scent (imprecise) 30 feet
Skills Acrobatics +6, Stealth +6
Str +0, Dex +3, Con +2, Int -4, Wis +2, Cha -2
AC 15; Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +4
HP 8
Speed 30 feet, swim 15 feet
Melee [one-action] jaws +7 [+3/-1] (agile, finesse, reach 0 feet), Damage 1d6 piercing plus compsognathus venomCompsognathus Venom (poison) Saving Throw DC 16 Fortitude; Maximum Duration 4 rounds; Stage 1 1d6 poison damage and enfeebled 1 (1 round); Stage 2 1d8 poison damage and enfeebled 1 (1 round)

All Monsters in "Dinosaur"

NameLevel
Ankylosaurus6
Brontosaurus10
Compsognathus-1
Deinonychus2
Hadrosaurid4
Pachycephalosaurus3
Stegosaurus7
Triceratops8
Tyrannosaurus10
Velociraptor1

Dinosaur

Source Monster Core pg. 96
Remnants from the world's primeval era, these enormous reptilian animals still exist in large numbers in remote wildernesses or underground in magical Darklands caverns. Lizardfolk, orcs, giants, and other humanoids who live near dinosaurs use the animals as mounts, guards, or hunting beasts. Occasionally, rich nobles will collect dinosaurs to display them in menageries, which almost inevitably leads to cast-offs being nursed back to health by druids and other champions of nature. When dinosaurs establish themselves in regions outside their normal habitats, it's often the result of a large collection being released.

Sidebar - Related Creatures Dinosaur Guardians

As with most animals, dinosaurs can be tamed or domesticated, but the difficulty of this task increases along with the dinosaur's level. Lizardfolk and xulgaths are fond of using dinosaurs as beasts of burden, mounts, or even war beasts. Certain dinosaurs, such as velociraptors and deinonychuses, make excellent trackers as well. The largest and most dangerous dinosaurs, such as the tyrannosaurus, are generally avoided, although more powerful creatures like giants have been known to be able to keep them as pets, guardians, or even brutal executioners. In more bloodthirsty cultures, dinosaurs are sadly sometimes used as combatants in gladiatorial battles.

Sidebar - Treasure and Rewards Dinosaur Resources

As animals, dinosaurs have little interest in treasure (although velociraptors and deinonychuses, like their bird cousins, enjoy keeping sparkling baubles in their nests), but the remains of adventurers strewn about their lairs often still have valuable gear. Beyond these traditional treasures, local civilizations often hunt dinosaurs for meat, hides, and eggs.

Sidebar - Advice and Rules Dinosaurs in Fantasy

At first glance, the inclusion of dinosaurs in a fantasy setting might seem strange, but dinosaurs are an excellent creature to use in a game that bridges the gap between familiar real-world animals and legendary monsters. If having dinosaurs mix freely with lions, manticores, and dragons still seems strange to you, consider using them in remote, primeval lands, as suggested in the sidebars below.

Sidebar - Locations Hollow Worlds

Hollow worlds are another classic fictional location where dinosaurs can be found. Some campaign settings might not contain entire isolated worlds within them, but many, such as Golarion, have expansive underground lands. The deepest region of the Darklands of Golarion—a realm called Orv—is an optimal region to find a hollow world. Typically infused with magic that allows for jungles to grow deep underground (and sometimes even featuring sunlike orbs that illuminate the lands from above, simulating a day-night cycle), areas such as Deep Tolguth of Orv make perfect places for dinosaurs to roam.

Sidebar - Related Creatures Other Dinosaurs

A wide range of dinosaurs are presented on these pages, but any trip to the movies, exploration of dinosaur books, or online search reveals a wealth of additional creatures that could fit into your game as well. The spike-thumbed iguanodons, sail-backed spinosauruses, therizinosauruses with their massive claws, and more await discovery by those who would seek out the mysteries of the lost worlds where the thunder lizards still rule!

Sidebar - Locations Primeval Lands

Across Golarion, dinosaurs are found in isolated lands like primeval jungle valleys or plateaus—sometimes called lost worlds for their inaccessibility and lack of any encroaching civilization. In addition to dinosaurs, other megafauna can exist in these places as well, along with giant insects or aggressive creatures like carnivorous plants, drakes, linnorms, and rocs.