Dire Snake

Huge Animal

Hit Dice: 7d8+24 (52 hp)

Initiative: 5

Speed: 30 ft., climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft.

AC: 18 (-2 size, +5 Dex, +5 natural), touch 13, flat-footed 13

Attacks: Bite +10 melee

Damage: Bite 2d6 +10 plus poison

Face/Reach: 15ft. /10 ft.

Special Attacks: Constrict 1d6+10, improved grab, poison

Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent

Saves: Fort +8, Ref +10, Will +6

Abilities: Str 24, Dex 20, Con 16, Int 2, Wis 15, Cha 11

Skills: Balance +14, Climb +15, Hide +6, Listen +8, Spot +8

Feats: Alertness, Endurance, Toughness

Climate/Terrain: Temperate and warm land, aquatic, and underground

Organization: Solitary

Challenge Rating: 5

Treasure: None

Alignment: Always neutral

Advancement: 8-12 HD (Huge); 9-12 HD (Large)

Level Adjustment: -

Dire animals are larger, tougher, and meaner versions of normal animals. They tend to have a feral, prehistoric look.

The dire snake combines the strength and power of a constrictor with the venomous bite of a viper. The dire snake looks like an enormous viper with dull green or brown scales and long fangs. Its head has two bony protrusions similar to horns placed just behind the eyes.

COMBAT

Dire animals are fierce fighters that prefer melee combat. They are territorial, attacking anything that enters their territory or threatens their lairs.

Saving Throws: A dire animal has all good saves.

Constrict (Ex): With a successful grapple check, a dire snake can constrict a grabbed opponent, dealing 1d8+10 points of bludgeoning damage.

Poison (Ex): A dire snake delivers its poison (Fortitude save DC 16) with each successful bite attack. The initial and secondary damage is the same (1d6 points of Constitution damage).

Improved Grab (Ex): If a dire snake hits an opponent that is at least one size category smaller than itself with a bite attack, it deals normal damage and attempts to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity (grapple bonus +20). If it gets a hold, it can also constrict in the same round. Thereafter, the dire snake has the option to conduct the grapple normally, or simply use its jaws to hold the opponent (-20 penalty on the grapple check, but the dire snake is not considered grappled). In either case, each successful grapple check it makes during successive rounds automatically deals bite and constrict damage.

Skills: A dire snake receives a +4 racial bonus on Hide, Listen, and Spot checks, and a +8 racial bonus on Balance checks.