Monster Monday: Andrewsarchus, Prehistoric Killing Machine

Today's Monster Monday is andrewsarchus, the largest known carnivorous land mammal.  This prehistoric beast stalked the warm grasslands of Mongolia in the Eocene epoch, ripping its prey apart with its two-foot-long mouth.

But before I go on about today's monster, it's time for some site news!  Thanks to my generous and awesome patrons on Patreon, we have reached the $15 per month pledge goal.  That means that d20 Despot will be transitioning to a new posting schedule: every Monday is Monster Monday, with additional posts added whenever I get the opportunity to write them.  My personal goal is two additional articles per month, which - on top of the weekly Monster Mondays - would be a 50% increase in productivity, all made possible by your patronage.  And of course, patrons pledging $5+ still get access to all my Monster Mondays months in advance, and $8+ patrons will get to vote on the final monster each month.  Anyways, back to andrewsarchus.

illus. by Bogdanov, via Wikimedia

Andrewsarchus mongoliensis

Known only from a single fossil skull, there is some debate as to the size and even the classification of this prehistoric predator.  Recent analysis places them in order Artiodactyla - hoofed mammals - with suggestions that they are closely most closely related to hippopotamus and entelodonts (dire boars).  But until more fossils are found or more studies are conducted on the original skull, the picture of andrewsarchus is hazy.  The monster presented below is based on the most common depictions of the creature which are, admittedly, not as accurate as they could be.

The following text in gold is available as Open Game Content under the OGL. Open Game Content is ©2016 Jonah Bomgaars.

Andrewsarchus    CR 5

XP 1,600

N Large animal

Init +4; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +7

DEFENSE

AC 18, touch 9, flat-footed 18 (-1 size, +9 natural)

hp 60 (6d8+33)

Fort +9, Ref +5, Will +3

Defensive Abilities ferocity

OFFENSE

Speed 40 ft.

Melee bite +11 (2d6+12 plus grab)

Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.

Special Attacks constrict (2d6+12)

STATISTICS

Str 26, Dex 10, Con 19, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 8

Base Atk +4; CMB +12 (+16 grapple); CMD 22

Feats Improved Initiative, Power Attack, Toughness

Skills Perception +7, Stealth +6, Swim +12

ECOLOGY

Environment warm or temperate plains

Organization solitary, pair, or pack (3-8)

Treasure none

Looking like a cross between a dire boar and a hyena, andrewsarchus is a tremendous and powerful carnivore.  Its head is three feet long and mostly mouth, with strong teeth that let it tear and crush both live prey and carrion.  A bristle of black fur runs from the nape of its neck over its hulking shoulders and down its sloping back.  Its body is covered in dappled brown fur like a hyena’s, helping the huge beast blend in with the warm grasslands it calls home.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A thousand apologies for the late post this week and the missing post last week.  I've been - to put it colloquially - hella busy recently, but I'm turning things around now.  As hilarious as it would be if my last post was 5 Tips for the GM Who is Out of Ideas, d20 Despot lives on!  We're entering a new chapter of d20 Despot thanks to the support of my patrons.  If you want to join in and support this site, please consider pledging on Patreon!  My patrons saw this monster back in March of this year.

-your whippomorph d20 despot