Hurler
Hurlers are aggressive territorial creatures that inhabit most rocky regions. Hurlers are name aptly for their predilection for hurling large rocks and boulders at other creatures that enter their territory. Hurlers are aggressive and do not tolerate trespassing by any creature regardless if it's intentions.
Hurlers are hunters/gathers and spend much of their time looking for food stuffs in their respective area. Hurlers are usually encountered in groups of 10-50 adults and about half the number of children. Hurlers have a primitive tribal like society, they are controlled by a leader-type-usually an elder of the tribe who can throw boulders farther than anyone else in the tribe. Hurlers have a very limited form of language that consists of grunts, growls, and yells. They are able to convey feelings of aggression, fear, excitement etc., with their language but not much else. Hurlers are large creatures, almost giant sized and possess tremendous strength. Hurlers can throw large boulders of around 4' in diameter double the normal distances for a given hurled object. Smaller stones are able to be thrown vast distances; up to five times the normal distance for a hurled object. Hurlers can propel boulders with such great velocity that they will often shatter upon impact. Hurler attacks have been known to knock giants and other large creatures off their feet, the Hurler is truly unequaled in their ability to hurl boulders. In addition to the creatures massive strength, Hurlers are fairly agile and can maneuver on small ledges and cliff faces will little difficulty. The hurlers large size and ponderous bulk give the impression of a clumsy beast, but nothing could be further from the truth. Hurlers can use one hand to throw small projectiles and the other to hang on the a ledge if need be. Hurlers are very aggressive and protect their territory fervently. Any creature that enters the unmarked boundaries of a Hurlers territory will be immediately attacked. Hurlers have no concept of mercy of fair play and thus give nor expect quarter from their enemies.
Battle Tactics:
Hurlers are skilled at ranged combat. Hurlers will be very aggressive and hurl boulders upon their enemies as soon as they are in range. All members of a given Hurler tribe will participate in battle including the children. Hurlers will have piles of boulders scattered all about their territory so they will have little problem with running out of ammunition. Hurlers will usually have their piles made up of many different sizes of boulders, a few large ones and a few of each size on down to the one handed boulders about the size of a basketball. GM should adjust the damage accordingly as the Hurlers go through their ammo supply. Usually Hurler boulder piles will consist of 2-5 of each size; Large, Medium, Small, One Handed. Hurlers tactics are simple, throw boulders until the things stop moving then go see if it can be eaten. If forced into melee, the hurler will grab their opponent and throw them against a near-by hard surface. This will usually stun if not kill most anything, it is a very effective attack. If they are unable to grab for some reason then they will attack with their two powerful fists and a massive bite, this is usually done as a last resort. Objects such as shields and plate armor will easily be destroyed by a Hurler Boulder attack. Wagons, carts and any other structures will easily be shattered into splinters. Creatures struck by a boulder will usually be knocked off their feet (GM have them make stat check) by the powerful attack. Hurlers can be scared or driven back with large displays of magic or fire. Hurlers are simple creatures and are easily impressed by grandiose displays of power. If a group of hurlers is scared, they will retreat to the topmost portion of their lair and defend from there. During the regrouping, Hurlers will have their backs exposed for a time as they hop up the rock surface to regroup; this is a excellent opportunity to escape or mount a counter attack by the party. Hurlers are not cowards and will fight to the last if cornered. Hurlers will scatter if they are met with a force that defeats them easily, as long as the hurlers are scoring casualties they will fight.
Habitat:
Hurlers only inhabit rocky regions. Hurlers are never encountered anywhere else but in areas that contain sizable rocky outcroppings. Hurlers tend to inhabit more arid regions and are never found in areas of severe cold. Hurlers are able to use their powerful arms to dig caves and alcoves for shelter. These creatures do not use complex tools and are afraid of fire. Hurler Lairs will be a mass of boulders and caves that carry the stench of daily living. Hurlers place no value in treasure or any thing else that is not rock shaped-such things are cast out of their homes and scattered about the periphery of their lair.
Ecology:
Hurlers live for a bout 30-50 years depending on how hard they have to work for food. Hurlers spend most of their waking moments searching for food. They hunt with hurled rocks and can take down a full grown stag with one expertly placed stone. Most of their diet consists of plants and small animals that they find while foraging. Each tribe has a leader that has some loose form of control over the others. The leader's control is usually seen mostly during the mating season in the spring when males vie for mating right via a stone throwing contest. The Hurlers that can throw stones the farthest and with the greatest accuracy are going to be the best hunters an therefore the best providers for the family. Hurlers live in loose extended families, some interbreeding does take place but it does not seem to harm the Hurler's bloodline. Hurler Females are equal to the males in most aspects and are responsible for raising the children. The females raise all the children collectively as a whole. During the summer the females will give birth to one offspring, the young take around 3 years to reach adulthood.
Description:
Hurlers are a sandy yellow in color, the males have brown markings in a spotted pattern that covers their back and the top of their heads. Females are much more bland in appearance and are of a uniform sandy tan in color. Young Hurlers are gray in color and gradually become to look more like adults as they reach their final year of maturity. Hurlers are large, 6-8 feet tall, the Males being larger on average than the females. Hurlers have stocky builds and weigh between 500-1000 lbs for the larger ones. Hurlers have no heads, their faces are sunken into the upper portion of their torso. Hurlers have small eyes and large toothy mouths that can deliver a powerful bite. The location of their eyes makes it hard for a hurler to see to the sides and impossible to see behind unless they turn around completely. Hurlers have squat, broad based legs and feet that are heavily muscled. Their arms are long enough to drag upon the ground and ripple with dense muscular strength.