Clairsentience: Devotions - life detection, radial navigation, see light

Even on Athas the mighty lion rules over the great cats. This species grows up to eight feet in length. Its body is covered with brass scales, and its tail ends in a spiked, mace-like extremity. Males are distinguished by a ridged collar of chitin.

The Athasian lion is cunning, but it is not believed they possess any form of true reasoning intelligence. Some believe that their skill at pride hunting implies a level of telepathic communication amidst the females of the pride.

Combat: Like the lions of other worlds, Athasian lions hunt in prides. The females do most of the actual hunting, finding prey via their psionic abilities and co-operating to trap it in an ambush. Their senses are so keen that they may be surprised only on a natural roll of 1.

A lion attacks with both forepaws (1d8 damage each), a vicious bite (1d12), and a spiked bludgeon from its tail (2d6). If it hits with both forepaws it can rake with both its hind legs as well, causing 1d8+2 points of damage each on a successful attack. This is a large amount of potential damage, making the lion one predator to be avoided.

Lions may leap up to 30 feet. During a leap attack the lion may strike with all four claws, recieving full bonuses for charging (-2 initiative, +2 attack, double damage). It may make a bite attack in the same round (no bonuses), but not a tail attack. While leaping, lions are vulnerable to opponents who have set their weapons against a charge.

Habitat/Society: Athas is the idyllic hunting ground for lions. They thrive in the desert, jungle and mountains, although the scarcity of prey and the high level of other predators keeps them away from the Tablelands.

Lions live and hunt in prides. They are extremely territorial. A pride usually consists of 1-3 males and 1-10 females. A lair contains from 1-10 cubs which are 30% to 60% grown. Cubs are unable to fight. Although it is hardly an issue in the desert, Athasian lions are extremely hydrophobic and will not enter water under any condition. They are poor climbers, but good mountaineers.

Ecology: Lions flourish only when the supply of game is plentiful. Their size, strength, and protective armour has made them the target of human hunters across the Tyr region. Some herders hate lions because they kill their stock, but the Oba of Gulg punishes lion-hunters with death - followed by undeath. Common lion prey includes erdlu and crodlu, but prides are known to bring down creatures as large as inix. They are not wasteful hunters.

The females hunt for the pride, and the males spend their free time lazing in the sun or searching out new territory. They will not hesitate to attack a lone humanoid trespassing in their land, but they do steer clear of large groups.