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Compsognathus Swarm
Though a curious lone compsognathus is occasionally known to sneak into an adventurer's camp, they're often scouting from a nearby pack potentially containing dozens of the tiny bipedal dinosaurs. If the pack is threatened— especially near a nesting site—they'll scurry about in self-defense. Despite their large numbers, the swarm can dart away from danger quickly, and their gnashing teeth carry the threat of venom to anyone who comes too close.Recall Knowledge - Animal (Nature): DC 18
Unspecific Lore: DC 16
Specific Lore: DC 13
Elite | Normal | Weak
Proficiency without Level
Changes from being Elite are marked in red below.NOTE: The +2 damage bonus to non-strike offensive abilities (+4 if the ability is limited, such as spells) is NOT factored in.
Elite Compsognathus SwarmCreature 4
Large Animal Dinosaur Swarm Source Monster Core 2 pg. 106
Perception +11; low-light vision, scent (imprecise) 30 feet
Skills Acrobatics +10, Athletics +11, Stealth +12
Str +2, Dex +4, Con +2, Int +0, Wis +1, Cha +0
AC 21; Fort +10, Ref +14, Will +9
HP 55; Immunities grabbed, precision, prone, restrained, swarm mind; Resistances bludgeoning 2, piercing 5, slashing 5; Weaknesses area damage 5, splash damage 5
Evade [reaction] Trigger An adjacent enemy targets the swarm with a Strike; Effect With quick movements, the swarm gains a +1 circumstance bonus to AC against the triggering attack. If the attack misses, the swarm can Stride up to 10 feet after the Strike.
Speed 30 feet, swim 15 feet
Compsognathus Venom (poison) Saving Throw DC 22 Fortitude; Maximum Duration 6 rounds; Stage 1 1d6 poison damage and enfeebled 1 (1 round); Stage 2 1d8 poison damage and enfeebled 1 (1 round)Venomous Bites [one-action] Each enemy in the swarm's space takes 2d4 piercing damage (DC 22 basic Reflex save). A creature who fails the save is also exposed to compsognathus venom.
Dinosaur Swarms
Because they all depend on laying eggs to reproduce, dinosaurs generally have nesting areas of which they're fiercely protective. While larger dinosaurs like allosauruses are slightly more prepared to take on a threat alone, smaller species often rely on safety in numbers to protect their homes. Once a threat is posed to their eggs, these diminutive creatures seem to form a cloud of frenzied jaws and claws, all moving together as if sharing one mind.All Monsters in "Dinosaur"
Dinosaur
Source Monster Core pg. 96 1.1Remnants 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.
Dinosaur Abilities
While the real-world fossil records hold a wealth of inspiration for the reconstruction of dinosaurs in an RPG, you can also look to living creatures for ideas. Giving a dinosaur a venomous bite or an unusual attack routine like Clobbering Charge ensures that dinosaurs are as interesting in combat as they are in appearance.
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.
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. 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.
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. Magical Dinosaurs
In a fantasy setting, magical effects or supernatural influences can enhance dinosaurs by giving them unexpected attacks, modes of movement, or other abilities. You can quickly create a memorable magical beast simply by giving a dinosaur the magical attack of another creature of an equal level, such as a spinosaurus gaining a fiery breath attack akin to that of a young cinder dragon. 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! 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.
Shelyn's Corner
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Classic Feel
Classic Feel
The classic look for the Archives of Nethys.
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