Leucrotta

The leucrotta is so ugly most creatures cannot stand the sight of it. Adults are 7 feet at the shoulder and up to 9 feet long, with a stag's body, cloven hooves, a lion's tufted tail and the head of an enormous badger. Jagged gray ridges of bone take the place of teeth. Its tan coat blackens toward the head, its eyes glow red, and it stinks of carcasses rotting in muggy heat, its breath worst of all.

Intelligent and sly, it speaks its own tongue and the common tongue and imitates voices and noises, usually a person or farm animal in distress, to lure humans, demihumans, humanoids and even other predators close.

Its bite deals 3d6 and is said to shear metal. A bitten shield must save vs. crushing blow or be bitten through on top of the normal damage; once the shield is gone, later bites test the armor likewise. Having dropped one foe, it leaves the body to attack others, and it chases fleeing enemies only while its kill stays in sight. Retreating, it turns and kicks with both hind hooves for 1d6 each. Its tracks match a stag's exactly.

It lives in desolate places, sure-footed as a mountain goat among ravines and rock spires, denning in caves, abandoned towers or hollow deadfalls and ranging over some 20 miles. A lair holding four adults has a 10% chance of one half-strength youngster as well. Their tempers spill over onto each other, so family ties are weak, and strangers are simply food. A powerful chaotic evil master may trap one as a guard, but it rebels at the first chance.

Intruders entering the den must save vs. poison at -1 against the stench or retch helplessly for 1d4 rounds; inside lies the loot of earlier victims. Fresh meat is preferred, but carrion will do.

Leucrottas lurk at the edges of nature and serve no purpose in it, and no druid is likely to defend one. Some sages call the species an aberration created by a mad power or archmage. Still, wizards use the hide for boots of springing and striding, hoping the beast's footing carries over, and its saliva is rumored to cure love philters, though no volunteer has yet tested it.