Monsters of the Hammer (by Spike)

Hit Dice:		3d8+6 (19)
Initiative:		+2 (Dex)
Speed:		40ft
Armor Class:		16 (+2 Dex, +4 natural)
Attacks:		Bite +4 melee
Damage:		Bite 1d6+3
Face/Range:		5 ft.by 5 ft./5ft
Special Attacks:		-
Special Qualities:		Scent
Save:		Fort +5, Ref +5, Will+1
Abilities:		Str 16, Dex 15, Con 17 Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 7
Skills:		Listen +5, Spot +5, Swim+9, Wilderness Lore +1*
Feats:		-
Climate/ Terrain:		Any land
Organization:		Pack
Challenge Rating:		4
Treasure		None
Alignment:		Always neutral
Advancement:		4-6 HD (Medium), 7-12 (Large)

Often the sizes of small horses, these large dogs are used by the dwarves and humans of Nalkak as either mounts or war beasts. As mounts they can carry up to 200 pounds with no loss to movement. War beasts are uncomfortable carrying anything other than the barding that they are trained in.

Nalkakian War dogs are normally a dark brown in color. Although, dogs of black white coloration have been found. Their coat is often short, with those in colder climes having naturally long fur. Eye coloration varies between golden yellow to a dark brown, again this is a regional variation.

In the wild, war dogs cats form packs of up to 16 individuals, this is for mutual protection. The strongest male, or alpha male, rules the pack. This male chooses what will be hunted and when the pack should break off and flee. At the death of the alpha male the two largest males will fight to the death for the position of alpha male. After, the winner drives off all other males in the pack and claims the females as his own.

Both male and females share in the responsibility of raising the pups. Pups are considered fully-grown at the age of 9 months. The average age of a war dog is 15 years, with tame dogs living well into their twenties.

Fully-grown wild war dogs cannot be tamed by any nonmagical means. But when captured as pups, or raised from a tame pair, they can be trained in a way similar to other dogs. In captivity their uses range household pets and guards to serving as mounts for lightweight beings. If they are ever mistreated there is a 50% chance they will turn on and attack the one who mistreated it and then seek to escape into the wild. Once a dog has gone wild it cannot be approached by another humanoid being without the aid of magic.

Nalkakian war dogs vary their diets with meat and vegetable matter. In the wild they are near the top of the natural food chain, few animals would seek to hunt these predators. Only when encountered alone is a dog at its most vulnerable.

Combat:
Wild war dogs form packs for easier hunting and protection of the young. When hunting they will chase prey until it is overtaken or it drops from exhaustion. When faced with a stronger and more determined opponent, the dog-pack withdrawals to find easier, non-hostile prey.

When attacking the war dog uses its strong bite. If the dog scores 3 above what is need to hit an opponent, then it has been able to lock its jaws. This causes automatic bite damage every round until the dog lets go or is killed. Only magic can cause a wild dog to let go once it has locked its jaws. Tame dogs are trained to release at the command of its owner /master.

Carrying Capacity: A light load for a war dog is up to 150 pounds; a meduim load, 151-300 pounds; a heavy load, 301-400 pounds. A war dog can grag 2,000 pounds.

Skills: *War dogs recieve a +4 racial bonus to Wilderness Lore checks when tracking by scent.