In worlds populated by as many creatures as the worlds of Dungeons & Dragons, it is little wonder that there exists individuals who dedicate themselves to the pursuit and study of these creatures.  Whether dedicated sages or fierce hunters, these experts use their knowledge and skills pursuing, observing, and sometimes killing their creature of interest.  The creature expert has spent a good portion of his life building up the skills needed to pursue the creatures he focuses on, and now is ready to entirely dedicate his life to the pursuit of these creatures.

Every creature expert focuses on one specific type of creature.  Instead of the broad groups which are the enemies of Rangers, Creature Experts must choose one specific creature type, such as Trolls or Gorgons, which is their specialty.  The Creature Expert becomes an expert on these creatures, knowing the tiniest facets of their ecologies.  They must be proficient in the wilderness, so as to be able to pursue their prey, and Creature Experts must have at least basic combat abilities, so as to be able to defend themselves.

Creature Experts come from all ranks of life, whether Wizards, Warriors, or Rogues.  The most common original class of a Creature Expert would seem to be Ranger, but many Rangers have difficulties giving up the lives which they currently lead.  Therefore, many other walks of life fill out Creature Experts, most commonly Wizards.  In fact, so many Wizards have begun taking up the class of Creature Expert, that they have developed some special abilities that they gain over less arcane Creature Experts.

Creature Expert
(Hit Die: d8)

Requirements
Wilderness Lore Rank 5
Language (the language spoken by the Creature Expert's specialty)
Base Attack +3
Tracking Feat
 

Level	Attack Bonus	Fort. Save	Ref. Save	Will Save	Special
1	+0	+2	+2	+0	Free Metamagic Feat (Target Specialty),  Specialty Combat Bonus, Specialty Type Enmity,  Specialty Knowledge, Specialty Defense
2	+1	+3	+3	+0
3	+2	+3	+3	+1
4	+3	+4	+4	+1	Specialty Type Enmity
5	+3	+4	+4	+1
6	+4	+5	+5	+2
7	+5	+5	+5	+2	Specialty Type Enmity
8	+6	+6	+6	+2
9	+6	+6	+6	+3
10	+7	+7	+7	+3	Specialty Type Enmity

Proficiencies
Light Armor, Simple Weapons, Shields, and 1 Free Martial or Exotic Proficiency of a Weapon Used Specifically against Specialty (such as Lasso, Spear, Net, Trident, etc.)

Class Skills (4 + Int modifier per level)
Climb, Craft(trapmaking), Gather Information, Handle Animal, Intimidate, Knowledge(nature), Knowledge(local), Listen, Move Silently, Ride, Search, Spot, Swim, Use Rope, Wilderness Lore

Class Features
Free Metamagic Feat (Specify Spell):spell casting Creature Experts gain a free Metamagic Feat at first level.  Specify Spell allows the spellcaster to memorize a spell so that it is intended to work specifically against his Specialty creature.  This spell gains a +4 to the DC to save against it, and, if damage is inflicted, inflicts x2 damage.  Though the spell is more effective vs the Creature Expert's Specialty, it is less effective vs other creatures.  If the spell is used against a creature of the same type as the Creature Expert's specialty, the spell functions normally.  However, if the spell is used against a creature in no way related to the Creature Expert's Specialty, the creature gains a +3 bonus to any related saves.
Specialty Combat Bonus: when engaging their specialty in combat, Creature Experts may add their Intelligence modifier to any attack or damage roll for melee attacks or ranged attacks within 30'.  The attack must be aimed at the Creature Expert's specialty.
Special Type Enmity:just like Rangers, Creature Experts gain a Species Enemy, in the form of their Specialty's Type.  They gain a +1 to attack and damage vs this type of creature at 1st level, and this increases by +1/+1 every three levels.  Note, however, that Creature Experts do not gain new Species Enemies as Rangers do.  Also note that these bonuses are cumulative with those from the Creature Expert's Specialty Combat Bonus, and any other bonuses, including Species Enemies from old Rangers.
Specialty Knowledge:Creature Experts are intimately familiar with their Specialty.  By making a Wilderness Lore check, the Creature Expert can perform a variety of functions not normally possible.  They can identify their Specialty's tracks (DC 12), or identify likely lairs for their Specialty (DC 18).  Creature Experts are, in fact, so familiar with their Specialty that they can actually predict how their Specialty is going to act with an opposed roll for his opponent's Intelligence.  If the Creature Expert wins, the DM must tell him what the specified Specialty is going to do for their next action.  He can only change this if something occurs which greatly changes the circumstances.  Creature Experts may also attempt to do any of these actions with their Specialty's Type, although they suffer a +5 to the DC.
Specialty Defense Bonus:Creature Experts may add their level in Creature Expert to any saving throws that are required as a result of an attack from their Specialty Creature, or 1/2 their level, rounded down, to an attack from their Specialty Type.  This bonus applies to any natural or spell-like attack, including poison or breath weapons.  However, this does not include any attacks or powers not normally possessed by the creature, such as spells from an Ogre Shaman, or a psionic attack from a Dragon Psionicist.