Medium beast (animal), unaligned
Armor Class 11
Armor Class (suggested) 12
Hit Points 5 (1d8+1)
Hit Points (suggested) 16 (3d8+3)
Speed 50 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +2
Proficiency Bonus +2 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 (+0) | 13 (+0) | 12 (+1) | 2 (-4) | 12 (+1) | 5 (-3) |
Skills Perception +3
Senses passive Perception 13
Challenge 0 (10 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.
Pack Tactics. The hyena has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the hyena’s allies is within 5 ft. of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.
ACTIONS
- Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 3 (1d6) piercing damage.
- Bite (suggested). Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 3 (1d6) piercing damage.. If the target is a Medium or smaller creature, it is grappled (escape DC 10). Until this grapple ends, the target speed is reduced by 5 feet. If at any moment the target speed is reduced by more than half, then the target is also knocked prone.
5th Edition Advanced Mode
Limiting the power of a character and making the overall difficulty of the game harder, does not reduce the creativity, indeed it does quite the opposite.
The Game Master has the option to use any and all of the instances proposed in this guide, or just some of them according to their preference.
It is the lack of something that move and motivate characters, not the abundance of it
DESCRIPTION
Hyenas are carnivorous beasts that resemble large, muscular dogs with spotted fur and powerful jaws. They have keen senses of smell and hearing, and can communicate with each other through a variety of vocalizations, including the infamous laughter that gives them their name. Hyenas are often found in packs, hunting and scavenging for food in the wild. Some hyenas are domesticated by gnolls, a race of savage humanoids that worship the demon lord Yeenoghu, the Beast of Butchery. These hyenas serve as loyal companions, mounts, and guardians for their gnoll masters.
COMBAT
Hyenas are fierce and cunning fighters, using their speed and agility to chase down their prey. They prefer to hunt in groups, taking advantage of their pack tactics to gain an edge over their enemies. Hyenas can bite with tremendous force, capable of crushing bones and tearing flesh with ease. When a hyena kills a creature with its bite, it becomes more frenzied and aggressive, moving and attacking again with a burst of adrenaline. Hyenas are not afraid to fight larger or stronger foes, especially if they have the support of their pack or their gnoll allies.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
Hyenas are adaptable creatures that can live in various environments, such as deserts, forests, grasslands, and hills. They are mostly nocturnal, resting during the day and hunting at night. Hyenas form social groups called clans, which consist of several related females and their offspring, as well as a few males that join temporarily for mating purposes. The clan is led by a dominant female, who is the largest and strongest member of the group. Hyenas have a complex hierarchy within the clan, which is determined by factors such as age, sex, size, and personality. Hyenas use body language, vocalizations, and scent marking to communicate their status and intentions to other clan members.
Hyenas that are associated with gnolls have a different social structure. They are subordinate to the gnolls, who treat them as pets or tools rather than equals. Gnolls often abuse or neglect their hyenas, feeding them scraps or corpses of their enemies. However, some gnolls form a bond with their hyenas, respecting them as fellow hunters and warriors. These gnolls and hyenas share a common devotion to Yeenoghu, who grants them his blessing in the form of mutations and enhancements. Some hyenas can even transform into gnolls themselves, becoming more intelligent and vicious.
ECOLOGY
Hyenas are important predators and scavengers in their ecosystems, helping to control the populations of herbivores and other animals. They also provide food for other scavengers, such as vultures and jackals. Hyenas have few natural enemies, except for lions, which compete with them for prey and territory. Hyenas and lions often clash over kills, resulting in injuries or deaths on both sides.
Hyenas that are influenced by Yeenoghu have a more destructive impact on their ecosystems. They become more bloodthirsty and violent, killing not only for food but also for pleasure. They spread disease and corruption wherever they go, leaving behind trails of bones and rotting flesh. They also attract other followers of Yeenoghu, such as cultists, demons, and undead. These creatures form raiding parties that attack nearby settlements and travelers, spreading chaos and slaughter in the name of the Beast of Butchery.