Ichneumon

Also known as: Dragon Eater

Eight-legged beast the size of a pony with a bear-like head and long furry coat

Basic Fantasy Field Guide Omnibus

Armor Class	21
Hit Dice	12 (+10) or 15 (+11)
Number Appearing	1, Lair 1d4-2
Attacks	1 bite, 2 claws, or 1 bite + special
Damage	1d12 bite, 2d6 claw
Movement	50'
Save As	Fighter: 15
Morale	9
XP	12 HD: 1,875; 15 HD: 2,850
Treasure Type	None; H (roll 1d6 for age) in lair

The Ichneumon is an eight-legged beast the size of a pony. Its head is like that of a bear. It has a long furry coat that can be white, black, red, blue, or green. It has a long, thick tapered tail. The male also has a lion mane and is up to 25% larger (and has 15 HD), and can weigh in excess of a thousand pounds.

The ichneumon loves to eat dragon scales and because of this is also known as the “Dragon Eater”. When encountered in the wild, it will have no treasure. A female will usually nest in the lair of a defeated dragon along with a kit of up to HD6 and the dragon’s hoard. Males, in contrast, lair in small isolated dens with no treasure.

Special Abilities

Lock Jaws: Against large prey, it will lock its jaws, inflicting 8 points of damage per round. It will simultaneously rake with 2d4 of its claws, each inflicting another 2d6 points of damage, until either it or its prey is dead. Against smaller opponents such as humanoids, the ichneumon will only be able to attack with one bite and its front 2 claws each round.

Magical Fur: Takes half damage from slashing weapons, including the claws of other creatures.

Poison Immunity: Naturally immune to all poison of any kind, including gas.

Cold Resistance: Its coat gives it protection from cold, and it only takes half damage from magical cold including breath weapons.

Mud Coating: When on the prowl, the ichneumon will coat itself with several layers of mud that hardens. In this state, it is immune to normal fire and it will only take half damage from magical fire, lighting, or acid, including breath weapons.

Variants

Male (encountered)

The male also has a lion mane and is up to 25% larger (and has 15 HD), and can weigh in excess of a thousand pounds. Males lair in small isolated dens with no treasure.

Hit Dice	15 (+11)

Female with Kit (in lair)

A female will usually nest in the lair of a defeated dragon along with a kit of up to HD6 and the dragon’s hoard.