Rancor

Size/Type: Huge Animal
Hit Dice: 18D8+80 (172hp)
Initiative: -1
Speed: 25
Armor Class: 14 (-2 size, +5 natural), touch 9, flat-footed 13
Base Attack/Grapple: +11/+11
Attack: claw +11 melee (2d6+8), bite +11 melee (2d8+6)
Full Attack: claw +11 melee (2d6+8), bite +11 melee (2d8+6)
Space/Reach: 15'/30'
Special Attack: Improved Grab
Special Qualities: Fast Healing, Low-Light Vision, Terrifying Presence, Toughness
Saves: Fort +14, Ref +3, Will -1
Abilities: Str 36, Dex 9, Con 21, Int 3, Wis 7, Cha 4
Skills: Climb +14, Intimidate +5, Spot +2
Feats: Power Attack, Tracking
Environment: Any desert
Organization: Solitary or herd (6-12)
Challenge Rating: 10
Alignment: Neutral
Advancement: 15-27 HD (huge)
Level Adjustment: -

Sample Rancor Scream

Technically a reptile, a rancor stands 18-20 feet tall, and is covered in a thick armored hide, often green or grayish-green in color. As a cold-blooded creature, a rancor prefers to be most active during the day, but is admirably suited for tracking during the night as well. Its forearms are almost comically long, enabling the beast to climb particularly well. When running on all fours, it can cover ground surprisingly quickly -- a feat few beings want to witness. Rancors lay eggs in sandy areas, and both parents watch over the nest. A newborn rancor is treated gently by its parents until it reaches its full size four to six standard months later. Commonly, rancors live a little more than 20 standard years. Larger varieties live up to a decade longer.

Rancors are periodically captured by big game hunters and kept as exotic pets. Because they are not easily trained, raising one requires a dedicated and skilled handler. Usually only the wealthiest of Athasians can afford to keep a rancor. If not fed frequently, rancors have a distressing habit of smashing through the bars of their cages to devour whatever is at hand -- including unwise owners. There is some evidence that if fed regularly and treated well, a rancor can become a manageable and even loyal pet.

While the rancor's bite is its best weapon, its body is not particularly adapted to attacking with its teeth. Instead, the rancor generally uses its long reach to claw opponents its own size or larger, slashing at them until they stop moving. With a smaller opponent, the rancor frequently grasps its prey in one or both claws and then draws it in for a bite a few moments later. (In game terms, this requires two separate melee attacks; once grasped, the victim cannot add his Dexterity bonus to his Defense.)