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Spinosaurus
The spinosaurus is more than just one of the largest carnivorous dinosaurs—it's also one of the most unusual in appearance, with a large, sail-like fin running along its spine. Often quite colorful, this sail allows the spinosaurus to attract mates, aids in swimming, and makes it appear to be even larger than it actually is. A swimming spinosaurus can also use the sail as part of a unique means of staggering prey by slapping the water with it to make a crushing wave. A spinosaurus can measure up to 60 feet in length and weigh 25,000 pounds.The spinosaurus is equally at home in water as it is on land, and its long, toothy maw is well-adapted for catching swimming prey. Attempts by giants to capture spinosauruses to serve as guardians typically go poorly, for these headstrong dinosaurs do not domesticate well. Their surly attitudes and striking appearances make them better suited for blood sports, and they're popular prizes for those who run arenas specializing in battles that pit gladiators against hungry animals or beasts. These productions are truly feasts of gore for the eyes and command audiences from hundreds of miles around. Of course, an angry dinosaur forced to fight for the amusement of others won't discriminate between potential meals on the battleground and those seated in the surrounding stands, making the seats closest to the edge of the arena possibly part of the show as well.
The spinosaurus's appearance and strength make it attractive to more than just giants and blood sport organizers. Spellcasters who mutate and transform animals into magical guardians have long been intrigued by the spinosaurus's potential. Due to the creature's reputation for violence, these spellcasters face great danger while charming one to bring home. Yet for those intrigued by the creature's hypothetical abilities, such risk is worth it. More so than any other dinosaur, spinosauruses have been subjected to fleshwarping procedures, crossbreeding with monsters, and other magical techniques at the hands of reclusive spellcasters experimenting to enhance the creatures' viability as effective guardians.
Recall Knowledge - Animal (Nature): DC 28
Unspecific Lore: DC 26
Specific Lore: DC 23
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 SpinosaurusCreature 12
Gargantuan Animal Dinosaur Source Monster Core 2 pg. 108
Perception +23; low-light vision, scent (imprecise) 30 feet
Skills Acrobatics +20, Athletics +24 (+26 to Swim)
Str +8, Dex +4, Con +6, Int -4, Wis +2, Cha +1
Deep Breath A spinosaurus can hold its breath for 2 hours.
AC 32; Fort +25, Ref +23, Will +21
HP 220
Speed 40 feet, swim 30 feet
Melee [one-action] jaws +25 [+20/+15] (deadly d12, reach 20 feet), Damage 2d12+2+14 piercing plus GrabMelee [one-action] claw +25 [+21/+17] (agile, reach 15 feet), Damage 2d8+2+14 slashingRip and Tear [one-action] Requirements The spinosaurus has a creature grabbed or restrained in its jaws; Effect The spinosaurus reaches up and slashes with its claws at the creature it has grabbed, dealing 4d8 slashing damage (DC 32 basic Reflex save). A creature who fails this save also takes 1d6 persistent bleed damage.Staggering Sail [two-actions] (incapacitation Requirements The spinosaurus is swimming on the surface of water) Effect With a powerful lunge to the side, the spinosaurus uses its sail to slap the surface of the water, creating a crushing wave of water that deals 6d6 bludgeoning damage in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in the water in the area must attempt a DC 32 Reflex save.
Critical Success The creature is unaffected.
Success The creature takes half damage.
Failure The creature takes full damage and is slowed 1 until the end of its next turn.
Critical Failure The creature takes double damage and is stunned 2.Swallow Whole [one-action] (attack) Medium, 2d12+6 bludgeoning, Rupture 19
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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