Lion

Large cat found in grasslands and savannas with muscular bodies and prominent manes on males

animal cat mammal great-cat neutral feline

Basic Fantasy Role-Playing Game

Armor Class	14
Hit Dice	5
Number Appearing	Wild 1d8
Attacks	2 claws/1 bite
Damage	1d6/1d6/1d10
Movement	50'
Save As	Fighter: 5
Morale	9
XP	360
Treasure Type	None

The lion is a large cat found in grasslands and savannas. They have muscular, broad-chested bodies, short, rounded heads, round ears, and a hairy tuft at the end of its tail. Adult male lions are larger than females, and in most varieties have a prominent mane. They live in social groups called prides consisting of a few adult males, several related females, and their cubs.

Groups of female lions usually hunt together, preying mostly on large ungulates; any hunting group of 1 or 2 is 80% likely to be females, and any group of 3 or more almost certainly are. Sometimes male lions are rogues, living outside a pride, and in those cases they may hunt as individuals or in pairs.

Lions typically do not actively seek out and prey on humans. Injured or obviously vulnerable humans may be too much of a temptation though.

Other Sources

Old-School Essentials Classic Fantasy

Armor Class	6 [13]
Hit Dice	5 (22hp)
Number Appearing	1d4 (1d8)
Attacks	2 × claw (1d4+1), 1 × bite (1d10)
THAC0	15 [+4]
Movement	150' (50')
Saving Throws	D12 W13 P14 B15 S16 (3)
Morale	9
Alignment	Neutral
XP	175
Treasure Type	U

Cautious hunters that usually avoid combat with humans unless starving or cornered. Great cats may be playful, but are quick to anger. They remain outdoors, rarely venturing deep underground.

Hunt in groups called “prides”. Live in hot regions, typically in savannah or scrublands close to deserts.

Special Abilities

Pursuit: Always pursue prey that flees.

Favoured prey: Often develop a taste for a certain type of meat (this may include humans!), hunting that creature with preference.

Inquisitive: May follow PCs out of curiosity.

OSRIC

Armor Class	5
Hit Dice	5+3
Number Encountered	2d6
Attacks	3
Damage	1d6/1d6/1d10
Move	120-ft
Alignment	Neutral
Intelligence	Semi-
XP	4/250+6/hp
Size	Large
Frequency	Common
Lair	25%

These prefer warm climates and thrive in any such locale be it jungle or savannah. Lions organise themselves into family units called prides. Males are aggressive fighters, defending the territory and the other members of the pride. The female, referred to as a lioness, does all the hunting. A pride will have 1d2 males and 2d4+1 females. If encountered in their lair, there will be 1d10 cubs in various stages of growth but too immature to fight. All adult pride members will fight to the death to protect the young. Lions cannot climb trees and will only swim under duress.

Special Abilities

Rear claws: All lions gain an extra two rear leg raking claw attacks (for the same damage as their forepaws) if they successfully hit with both clawing attacks in melee.

Only surprised on 1: Only surprised on 1.