Animal Archives

8/12/2019 Animal Archives

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WRITTENBY

AERYNBLACKDIRGE RUDEL

CREATEDBY

JESSEMOHNANDAERYNRUDEL

Requires the use of the Dungeons & Dragons Revised Edition

Core Books, published by Wizards of the Coast, Inc.

ANIMALARCHIVESSAMPLER


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Author: Aeryn RudelBlackdirge Publishing

CreditsAnimal Archives

Animal Archives Sampler

Credits

The Campaign Construc-

tion System is a format

designed to help GMs

organize their campaignbinder. Each entry in this

product is layed out to fit

a single page or series of

pages that can be easily

identified and placed in

specific categories of the

binder. With this system

a GM can print only the

pages needed for their game, mix and match content from

various products in the line, and reduce the clutter and

weight of multiple products.

Each page is organized with the following informationA: Title of the entry contained on the page

B: Product title in which the entry can be found

C: Author and artist credits for that entry

D: Category label for binder organization

1

Animal Archives


Created by

Jesse Mohn & Aeryn Rudel

Written by

Aeryn Rudel

Editing

John Ball

Illustrations

Hunter McFalls & Jesse Mohn

Graphic Design & Layout

Edward Bourelle & Erik Nowak

SkeletonKey Staff

Edward Bourelle & Art Braune

Animal Archivesis 2008

Jesse Mohn. All rights reserved.

Illustrations are 2008 Hunter McFalls or

Jesse Mohn, as credited. All rights reserved.

Reference to other copyrighted material in no way constitutes

a challenge to the respective copyright holders of that material.

SkeletonKey Games, Campaign Construction System, the

SkeletonKey Games logo, and the Campaign Construction System

logo are trademarks of Edward Bourelle. Blackdirge Publishing

and the Blackdirge Publishing logo are trademarks of Aeryn Rudel.

Blackdyrge is a trademark of Aeryn Rudel.

Dungeons & Dragons and Wizards of the Coast are trademarks of

Wizards of the Coast, Inc. in the United States and other countries

and are used with permission.

d20 System and the d20 System logo are trademarks of Wizards

of the Coast, Inc. in the United States and other countries and are

used with permission.

The following is designated as Open Game Content: all new rules and

stat blocks (but not the proper names of characters and places or their

backgrounds). To be clear, the Animal Archives property is CLOSED.


3/10

Animal Archives

Animal Archives SamplerIntroduction

Introduction2Author: Aeryn RudelIllustrator: Jesse Mohn

This product contains two sample animals fromBlackdirge Publishings Animal Archives series. These

are not reprints, but new monsters designed specifically

to showcase both the Prehistoric AnimalandDinoFiles

lines. If you already own all the Animal Archives

products, then this is simply a free addition to your

collection; however, if youre new to the series, this

product serves as an excellent example of what the

Animal Archivesproducts offer.

Although both theDinoFilesand Prehistoric Animals

lines are very similar, they offer slightly different

material. Prehistoric Animals details ancient animals

from all periods of prehistory on our planet. Here youllfind bizarre creatures from the distant Cambrian, all

the way up to the last Ice Age and the very beginnings

of the human race. The illustrations in Prehistoric

Animalsare drawn by Jesse Mohn in a nature book

style, and feature a silhouette of a Medium-sized

human for size comparison.

The DinoFiles line, as its name suggests, specifically

details new dinosaurs. Each product presents a number

of dinosaurs that are linked together either thematically

or by actual scientific grouping. The illustrations for

DinoFiles are drawn by Hunter McFalls, and present

their subjects in dynamic, fantasy inspired scenes.

Heres a quick rundown of what youll find in bothproduct lines:

A full d20 stat block for each animal.

A full description for each animal, plus notes on

ecology, combat tactics, and more.

Information for players, including details on how to

uses the presented animals as animal companions,

familiars, and mounts.

Real world information on each animal.

A summon natures allyand summon monster

appendix, complete with stat blocks for fiendish

and celestial versions of all animals presented inthe product.

Advanced and templated versions of some animals.

A fantastic illustration for each animal

by Jesse Mohn or Hunter McFalls.

Be sure to have a look at the back page of this product,

where youll find money-saving coupons for all products

in theAnimalArchivesseries.

If you have any questions or suggestions about

the AnimalArchives series, or any of the products

published by Blackdirge Publishing, drop us a line at:[email protected].

Aeryn Blackdirge RudelOwner/Developer

Blackdirge Publishing

Pterygotus


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Animal Archives



Pterygotus

Monster3

PTERYGOTUS CR 5(WINGANIMAL)(TERRY-GOAT-USS)

Always Neutral Large Vermin (Aquatic)

Init+1; Sensesdarkvision 60 ft., Listen +0, Spot +8Languages

AC20, touch 10, flatfooted 19

(-1 size, +1 Dex, +10 natural)

hp60 (8 HD)

Immunevermin immunities

Fort+9, Ref+3, Will+2

Speed10 ft. (2 squares), swim 50 ft.

Melee2 pincers +11 (1d8+6)

Space10 ft.; Reach5 ft. (10 ft. with pincers)

Base Atk+6; Grapple+16

Atk Optionsrend (2d8+9)

AbilitiesStr 23, Dex 12, Con 17, Int , Wis 11, Cha 2

SQvermin traits

Feats

SkillsHide +1, Move Silently +5, Spot +8, Swim +14

Environmentwarm aquatic

Organizationsolitary

Treasurenone

Advancement9-16 HD (Large); 17-24 HD (Huge)

Rend (Ex):If a pterygotus hits with both pincer

attacks, it latches onto the opponents body and

tears the flesh. This attack automatically dealsan additional 2d8+9 points of damage.

Skills:A pterygotus has a +4 racial bonus on Hide

and Move Silently checks. It has a +8 racial

bonus on Spot checks. It has a +8 racial bonus

on any Swim check to perform some special

action or avoid a hazard. It can always choose

to take 10 on a Swim check, even if distracted

or endangered. It can use the run action while

swimming, provided it swims in a straight line.

This large arthropod resembles an aquatic scorpion. It

has two massive pincers, a long flattened tail, and twopaddle-like appendages for swimming. Its huge eyes

seem ideal for locating prey, and it moves through the

water with the speed and agility of a true predator.

A pterygotus is a large sea-scorpion, a powerful

predator that lurks within warm, shallow water. It is

quick and agile, and can chase down fast-moving prey

with relative ease. Although a pterygotus can crawl about

the sea bottom on its many legs, it is completely aquatic,

and does not leave the water for any reason.

A pterygotus is a solitary creature, and will only seek out

others of its species to mate. Juvenile members of the

species are often eaten by the adults, and for this reason,

they tend to hide amongst coral reefs or in sea caves untilthey are large and fast enough to escape their elders.

A pterygotus can grow up to 8 feet long and weigh nearly

1,000 pounds.

COMBAT

A pterygotus attack with its two pincers, tearing prey

into small pieces that can be easily fed into its mouth. It

attacks nearly anything smaller than itself, using ambush

tactics similar to that of other large marine predators,

such as sharks. Once prey has been spotted, a pterygotus

accelerates quickly (charges) and attempts to surprise itstarget before it can escape. Additionally, these creatures

sometimes hide their bulk in the silt on the sea bottom, and

then wait for prey to swim within range of their pincers.

FOR PLAYER CHARACTERS

Although pterygotus cannot be trained, and their flesh is

vile and slightly poisonous, they are sometimes hunted

by sea elves for their hard, chitinous exoskeleton, which

can be worked into armor by skilled sea elf armorsmiths.

A single pterygotus produces enough chitin for a single

masterwork breastplate for a creature one size category

smaller than itself. Armor created from pterygotus chitin

weighs half that of its metal counterpart, and is, ofcourse, waterproof.

A celestial or fiendish pterygotus can be summoned with

a summon monster VIor a higher-level summon monster

spell. Treat a celestial or fiendish pterygotus as being on

the 6th-level list of the Summon Monster table.

PTERYGOTUS IN THE REAL WORLD

Pterygotusis a massive eurypterid, or sea scorpion, that

hunted the warm shallow seas of the Late Silurian, about

423 million years ago. It once vied with Arthropleura,

a giant ancestor of millipedes and centipedes from theCarboniferous, as the largest arthropod of all time.

However, a recent discovery of another, larger sea

scorpion, Jaekelopterus, places Pterygotus at third on

the all-time big bug list.


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Animal Archives

Animal Archives SamplerPachycephalosaurus

Monster4

PACHYCEPHALOSAURUS CR 3(THICK-HEADREPTILE)(PACK-EE-SEFF-AH-LOW-SORE-USS)

Always Neutral Large Animal

Init+1; Senseslow-light vision, scent;Listen +7, Spot +7

Languages



hp37 (5 HD)


Speed40 ft. (8 squares)

Meleehead butt +7 (1d8+7)

Space10 ft.; Reach5 ft


Atk Optionspowerful charge 2d8+10, stun

AbilitiesStr 21, Dex 13, Con 17, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 6

FeatsAlertness, Iron Will

SkillsListen +7, Spot +7

Environmentwarm plains

Organizationsolitary, pair, or herd (5-8)

Treasurenone

Advancement6-10 (Large); 11-15 (Huge)

Powerful Charge (Ex):When a pachycephalo-

saurus charges, it deals 2d8+10 points of

damage with its head butt attack.

Stun (Ex):A creature struck by a pachycephalo-saurus powerful charge must succeed at a DC

17 Fortitude save or be stunned for one round.

The save DC is Strength based.

This bizarre animal stands tall on two powerful legs and

is covered in tiny, yellow, pebble-like scales. Its forearms

are long and robust, and seem capable of supporting the

animal should it desire to walk on four legs instead of

two. But the most striking feature of this reptilian beast is

its massive, domed skull, a veritable helmet of bone. The

stout muscles on the beasts neck make it fairly obvious

that its enlarged cranium is nothing short of an organicbattering ram.

A pachycephalosaurus is a horse-sized herbivore

that is found in small herds on open grasslands and

savannahs. These animals are fairly docile, although

they will use their bony craniums as battering rams

to deter predators. Typically, only the males during

rutting season are dangerous to humanoids, as they

will charge nearly any creature of Medium-size or

larger that wanders too close.

Like many herd animals, a pachycephalosaurus mother

cares for her young until they are old enough to fend for

themselves. Upon reaching maturity, females are allowed

to join the herd, while males are chased away, dwelling

on the outskirts of the female community until the mating

season. For this reason, a solitary pachycephalosaurus

will always be male.

A pachycephalosaurus is 16 feet long, 6 feet tall, and

weighs 1,100 pounds.

COMBAT

A pachycephalosaurus attacks by butting targets with

its bony cranium. It can deliver tremendous force in

this manner; more than enough to break bones or stun

predators and other hostile creatures. Males typically

charge at enemies, turning their entire bodies into

living battering rams. A single blow from a charging

pachycephalosaurus is capable of killing many

predators outright.

FOR PLAYER CHARACTERS

Although not particularly fleet of foot, a pachycephalo-

saurus makes a serviceable mount, and can be trained

fairly easily for most tasks. Typically, only females are

trained, as the males become too volatile to handle during

the mating season. Surprisingly, a number of dwarvenclans prize these animals as war mounts, admiring their

tenacity and hardiness in battle. Although, many elves

insists it is the pachycephalosaurus thick-headedness

that the dwarves admire most.

Training a pachycephalosaurus from birth requires a DC

20 Handle Animal check. An adult pachycephalosaurus

can carry up to 306 pounds as a light load.

A pachycephalosaurus can be summoned with summon

natures ally III or a higher level summon natures

ally spell. Treat a pachycephalosaurus as being on

the 3rd-level list of the Summon Natures Ally table.A celestial or fiendish pachycephalosaurus can be

summoned with summon monster IVor a higher level

summon monster spell. Treat a celestial or fiendish

pachycephalosaurus as being on the 4th-level list of

the Summon Monster table.

A druid of 7th level or higher can gain a pachycephalo-

saurus as an alternate animal companion.



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Animal Archives


Author: Aeryn RudelIllustrator: Hunter McFalls

Pachycephalosaurus

Monster5

PACHYCEPHALOSAURUSIN THE REAL WORLD

Pachycephalosaurus was a Late Cretaceous herbivore

that evolved just before the massive K/T extinction that

wiped out the dinosaurs and most life on the planet.

Although not as easily recognizable as TriceratopsandStegosaurus, Pachycephalosaurus is one of the better-

known dinosaurs, and there are no doubt many school

children that can expertly wrap their tongues around its

lengthy name.

Obviously, the most striking feature of Pachycephalo-

saurus is its thick, domed skull. It was once believed

that males of the genus would smash their heads

together in intraspecific combat, much like bighorned

sheep do today. However, recent evidence suggests

that this was not the case. Closer examination of the

Pachycephalosaurus skull revealed that it would not

withstand such rigorous abuse. It is hypothesized that

males may have engaged in flank butting, instead of

direct, head-to-head confrontations.


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Animal Archives

Animal Archives SamplerAppendix: Summoned Monsters

CELESTIALPACHYCEPHALOSAURUS CR 4NG Large Magical Beast

(Augmented Animal, Extraplanar)

Init+1; Sensesdarkvision 60 ft., low-light vision,

scent; Listen +7, Spot +7

Languages



hp37 (5 HD); DR5/magic

Resistacid 5, cold 5, electricity 5; SR10


Speed40 ft. (8 squares)Meleehead butt +7 (1d8+7)



Atk Optionspowerful charge 2d8+10, smite evil

1/day, stun




Powerful Charge (Ex):When a celestial

pachycephalosaurus charges, it deals 2d8+10

points of damage with its head butt attack.Smite Evil (Su):Once per day a celestial

pachycephalosaurus can make a normal melee

attack to deal 5 points of extra damage to an

evil foe.

Stun (Ex):A creature struck by a celestial

pachycephalosaurus powerful charge must

succeed at a DC 17 Fortitude save or be

stunned for one round.

FIENDISHPACHYCEPHALOSAURUS CR 4NE Large Magical Beast

(Augmented Animal, Extraplanar)

Init+1; Sensesdarkvision 60 ft., low-light vision,

scent; Listen +7, Spot +7

Languages




Resistcold 5, fire 5; SR10


Speed40 ft. (8 squares)Meleehead butt +7 (1d8+7)



Atk Optionspowerful charge 2d8+10, smite good

1/day, stun




Powerful Charge (Ex):When a fiendish

pachycephalosaurus charges, it deals 2d8+10

points of damage with its head butt attack.Smite Good (Su):Once per day a fiendish

pachycephalosaurus can make a normal melee

attack to deal 5 points of extra damage to a

good foe.

Stun (Ex):A creature struck by a fiendish

pachycephalosaurus powerful charge must

succeed at a DC 17 Fortitude save or be

stunned for one round.

Author: Aeryn RudelBlackdirge Publishing Monster6


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Animal Archives

Animal Archives SamplerAppendix: Summoned Monsters

Author: Aeryn RudelBlackdirge Publishing Monster7

CELESTIALPTERYGOTUS CR 7NG Large Magical Beast

(Aquatic, Augmented Vermin, Extraplanar)

Init+1; Sensesdarkvision 60 ft., Listen +2,

Spot +11

Languages




Resistacid 10, cold 10, electricity 10; SR13


Speed10 ft. (2 squares), swim 50 ft.Melee2 pincers +12 (1d8+6)



Atk Optionsrend (2d8+9), smite evil 1/day


FeatsAlertness, Great Fortitude, Weapon Focus

(pincers)

SkillsHide +3, Move Silently +8, Listen +2,

Spot +13, Swim +17

Rend (Ex):If a celestial pterygotus hits with both

pincer attacks, it latches onto the opponentsbody and tears the flesh. This attack

automatically deals an additional 2d8+9 points

of damage.

Smite Evil (Su):Once per day a celestial

pterygotus can make a normal melee attack to

deal 8 points of extra damage to an evil foe.

FIENDISHPTERYGOTUS CR 7NE Large Magical Beast

(Aquatic, Augmented Vermin, Extraplanar)

Init+1; Sensesdarkvision 60 ft., Listen +2,

Spot +11

Languages




Resistcold 10, fire 10; SR13


Speed10 ft. (2 squares), swim 50 ft.Melee2 pincers +12 (1d8+6)



Atk Optionsrend (2d8+9), smite good 1/day


FeatsAlertness, Great Fortitude, Weapon Focus

(pincers)

SkillsHide +3, Move Silently +8, Listen +2,

Spot +13, Swim +17

Rend (Ex):If a fiendish pterygotus hits with both

pincer attacks, it latches onto the opponentsbody and tears the flesh. This attack

automatically deals an additional 2d8+9 points

of damage.

Smite Good (Su):Once per day a fiendish

pterygotus can make a normal melee attack to

deal 8 points of extra damage to a good foe.


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Illustrator: Jesse MohnBlackdirge Publishing

OGLAnimal Archives


OGL8

OPEN GAME LICENSE Version 1.0a

The following text is the property of Wizards of the Coast, Incand is Copyright 2000 Wizards of the Coast, Inc (Wizards). AllRights Reserved.

1. Definitions: (a)Contributors means the copyright and/ortrademark owners who have contributed Open Game Content;

(b)Derivative Material means copyrighted material includingderivative works and translations (including into other computerlanguages), potation, modification, correction, addition, extension,upgrade, improvement, compilation, abridgment or other form inwhich an existing work may be recast, transformed or adapted;(c) Distribute means to reproduce, license, rent, lease, sell,broadcast, publicly display, transmit or otherwise distribute;(d)Open Game Content means the game mechanic and includesthe methods, procedures, processes and routines to the extentsuch content does not embody the Product Identity and is anenhancement over the prior art and any additional content clearlyidentified as Open Game Content by the Contributor, and meansany work covered by this License, including translations andderivative works under copyright law, but specifically excludesProduct Identity. (e) Product Identity means product and productline names, logos and identifying marks including trade dress;artifacts; creatures characters; stories, storylines, plots, thematic

elements, dialogue, incidents, language, artwork, symbols, designs,depictions, likenesses, formats, poses, concepts, themes andgraphic, photographic and other visual or audio representations;names and descriptions of characters, spells, enchantments,personalities, teams, personas, likenesses and special abilities;places, locations, environments, creatures, equipment, magical orsupernatural abilities or effects, logos, symbols, or graphic designs;and any other trademark or registered trademark clearly identifiedas Product identity by the owner of the Product Identity, and whichspecifically excludes the Open Game Content; (f) Trademarkmeans the logos, names, mark, sign, motto, designs that are usedby a Contributor to identify itself or its products or the associatedproducts contributed to the Open Game License by the Contributor(g) Use, Used or Using means to use, Distribute, copy, edit,format, modify, translate and otherwise create Derivative Materialof Open Game Content. (h) You or Your means the licensee interms of this agreement.

2. The License:This License applies to any Open Game Contentthat contains a notice indicating that the Open Game Content mayonly be Used under and in terms of this License. You must affixsuch a notice to any Open Game Content that you Use. No termsmay be added to or subtracted from this License except as describedby the License itself. No other terms or conditions may be appliedto any Open Game Content distributed using this License.

3. Offer and Acceptance:By Using the Open Game Content Youindicate Your acceptance of the terms of this License.

4. Grant and Consideration: In consideration for agreeing touse this License, the Contributors grant You a perpetual, worldwide,royalty-free, non-exclusive license with the exact terms of thisLicense to Use, the Open Game Content.

5. Representation of Authority to Contribute: If You are

contributing original material as Open Game Content, You representthat Your Contributions are Your original creation and/or You havesufficient rights to grant the rights conveyed by this License.

6. Notice of License Copyright: You must update theCOPYRIGHT NOTICE portion of this License to include the exacttext of the COPYRIGHT NOTICE of any Open Game ContentYou are copying, modifying or distributing, and You must add thetitle, the copyright date, and the copyright holders name to theCOPYRIGHT NOTICE of any original Open Game Content youDistribute.

7. Use of Product Identity: You agree not to Use any ProductIdentity, including as an indication as to compatibility, except asexpressly licensed in another, independent Agreement with theowner of each element of that Product Identity. You agree not toindicate compatibility or co-adaptability with any Trademark orRegistered Trademark in conjunction with a work containing OpenGame Content except as expressly licensed in another, independentAgreement with the owner of such Trademark or RegisteredTrademark. The use of any Product Identity in Open Game Contentdoes not constitute a challenge to the ownership of that ProductIdentity. The owner of any Product Identity used in Open GameContent shall retain all rights, title and interest in and to that ProductIdentity.

8. Identification:If you distribute Open Game Content You mustclearly indicate which portions of the work that you are distributingare Open Game Content.

9. Updating the License: Updating the License: Wizards or itsdesignated Agents may publish updated versions of this License.You may use any authorized version of this License to copy, modifyand distribute any Open Game Content originally distributed underany version of this License.

10. Copy of this License:You MUST include a copy of this Licensewith every copy of the Open Game Content You Distribute.

11. Use of Contributor Credits:You may not market or advertisethe Open Game Content using the name of any Contributor unlessYou have written permission from the Contributor to do so.

12. Inability to Comply:If it is impossible for You to comply withany of the terms of this License with respect to some or all of theOpen Game Content due to statute, judicial order, or governmentalregulation then You may not Use any Open Game Material soaffected.

13. Termination:This License will terminate automatically if Youfail to comply with all terms herein and fail to cure such breachwithin 30 days of becoming aware of the breach. All sublicensesshall survive the termination of this License.

14. Reformation: If any provision of this License is held to beunenforceable, such provision shall be reformed only to the extent

necessary to make it enforceable.

15. COPYRIGHT NOTICE

Open Game License v 1.0, Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast,Inc.

System Reference Document Copyright 2000-2003, Wizardsof the Coast, Inc.; Authors Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, SkipWilliams, Rich Baker, Andy Collins, David Noonan, Rich Redman,Bruce R. Cordell, based on original material by E. Gary Gygax andDave Arneson.

Animal Archives SamplerCopyright 2008 Jesse Mohn. Publishedby Blackdirge Publishing. All rights reserved.


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