Large beast (giant animal), unaligned
Armor Class 12
Armor Class (suggested) 32
Hit Points 45 (6d10 + 12)
Speed 50 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +2
Proficiency Bonus +3 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 (+3) | 14 (+2) | 14 (+2) | 2 (-4) | 12 (+1) | 7 (-2) |
Skills Perception +3
Senses passive Perception 13
Languages –
Challenge 1 (200 XP)
Hit and Run (suggested). The hyena can leap 10 feet forward and make an attack with its bite. If the attack with the bite misses the target, the hyena can take a dash action as a bonus action and withdraw of 10 feet.
Rampage. When the hyena reduces a creature to 0 hit points with a melee attack on its turn, the hyena can take a bonus action to move up to half its speed and make a bite attack.
ACTIONS
- Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) piercing damage.
- Bite (suggested). Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (3d4+3) piercing damage.. If the target is a Large or smaller creature, it is grappled (escape DC 13). Until this grapple ends, the target speed is reduced by 10 feet. If at any moment the target speed is reduced by more than half, then the target is also knocked prone.
DESCRIPTION
A giant hyena is a large beast that resembles a normal hyena, but much bigger and stronger. It has a shaggy brown coat, a powerful jaw, and a long tail. Its eyes are yellow and cunning, and its ears are alert for any sound of prey or danger. A giant hyena can grow up to 12 feet long and weigh up to 800 pounds.
A giant hyena should not be confused with a hyaenodon, which is a prehistoric predator that evolved into a canine-like form. A hyaenodon has similar markings to a hyena, but its fur is more golden in color. Despite their genetic differences, they are very similar to hyenas in temperament and behavior.
COMBAT
A giant hyena is a fierce and relentless hunter that can chase down its prey with its impressive speed of 50 feet per round. It prefers to hunt in packs, using its keen sense of smell and hearing to locate and surround its target. A giant hyena attacks with its bite, which can inflict 10 (2d6 + 3) piercing damage. If it manages to reduce a creature to 0 hit points with its bite, it can use its rampage trait to move up to half its speed and make another bite attack as a bonus action. This allows it to quickly finish off wounded enemies or switch to new targets.
A hyaenodon also has a savage bite that can lock onto its victims just as smaller hyenas do. If the hyaenodon does this, the victim’s speed is cut by 15 feet for each hyaenodon that attaches itself. Hyaenodon packs will devour one medium-sized victim per day. Because of their larger size, they are able to take large prey such as elephants, oxen, and buffalo. If a giant hyena or a hyaenodon suffers 5 or more points of burning damage, it immediately flees the area in search of a spot to tend its wounds.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
A giant hyena can be found in various environments, such as deserts, forests, grasslands, and hills. It is not very intelligent, but it has a strong sense of pack loyalty and hierarchy. A giant hyena pack is led by an alpha male or female, who gets the first choice of food and mates. The other members of the pack follow the alpha’s commands and signals, and cooperate in hunting and defending their territory. A giant hyena pack can range from 6 to 20 individuals.
A giant hyena can also be associated with gnolls, who worship them as sacred animals and servants of their demonic lord Yeenoghu. Gnolls sometimes use giant hyenas as mounts or guard beasts, or sacrifice them to their god in exchange for his favor. Some gnoll spellcasters can even summon shoosuvas, which are undead demon hyenas that are larger and more powerful than normal giant hyenas.
A hyaenodon is a survivor of prehistoric times, and has adapted to various climates and terrains. It is more solitary than a giant hyena, and only forms packs during the mating season or when hunting large prey. A hyaenodon pack is less organized than a giant hyena pack, and often fights among itself for dominance or food.
ECOLOGY
A giant hyena is a carnivorous animal that feeds on any meat it can find or kill. It is not picky about its food source, and will scavenge corpses or attack living creatures of any size. A giant hyena can eat up to 30 pounds of meat in one meal, and can go for several days without food if necessary. A giant hyena has few natural predators, except for larger or more dangerous creatures such as lions, dragons, or giants.
A giant hyena reproduces by mating with another member of its pack during the mating season, which occurs once a year. The female gives birth to a litter of 2 to 4 cubs after a gestation period of 4 months. The cubs are born blind and helpless, and depend on their mother’s milk for the first few weeks. They are then weaned and taught how to hunt by their parents and other pack members. A giant hyena cub reaches maturity at the age of 2 years, and can live up to 15 years in the wild.
A hyaenodon is also a carnivorous animal that feeds on any meat it can find or kill. It is more selective about its food source than a giant hyena, and prefers fresh meat over carrion. A hyaenodon can eat up to 40 pounds of meat in one meal, and can survive for a week without food. A hyaenodon has many natural predators, such as saber-toothed cats, dire wolves, or dinosaurs.
A hyaenodon reproduces by mating with another member of its pack during the mating season, which occurs once every 2 years. The female gives birth to a litter of 1 to 4 cubs after a gestation period of 5 months. The cubs are born with their eyes open and can walk within a few hours. They are nursed by their mother for the first month, and then join the pack in hunting. A hyaenodon cub reaches maturity at the age of 4 years, and can live up to 20 years in the wild.