Description
A cloud of dust kicks up in the
Eltórián Bonelands, as a pack of csontkopó races through, looking for prey. Best stay out of their way.
Also known as bonehounds or bonecrushers, these medium-sized, carnivorous predators are a scourge on the land. While individually not the strongest, they roam in large packs that work well together. They look somewhat like a muscular canine with its bulk centered towards the front of its body, and a large bone mask covering its face. Their forelegs are high, but their hind legs are noticeably shorter and their body slopes down towards the rump. Each paw possesses blunt, non-retractable claws that can be of some use in dragging down struggling prey, but are far less useful for actually taking another creature down than their bite.
Their dentition is specialized towards crushing power, allowing them to snap the neck of most creatures similar in size to them, and making it easier to consume coarse food and grind bones. To accommodate this, their teeth are powerful, with broad bases and cutting edges. They are known to spread
wasting disease with their bite that affects many other species who have not developed their resistance to it.
They have evolved to an outer bone layer that covers their face. This protects them from other predators that would clamp down their jaws on their face, and it also features prominently in mating rituals and play-fighting. Males will often headbutt each other when playing or fighting over a female. They have also been observed to drag saliva and blood over their mask with a claw to adorn it when trying to attract a partner.
They are often associated with
Viharanya, although she certainly does not control them considering how many of her people have been killed by them while traveling.
Intelligence and Behavior
Bonehounds are inherently social creatures, roaming in packs ranging from 5 to nearly 30 members. They are scavengers, but they also hunt together and will attack any creature that they can overcome. Their predatory tactics mostly involve wearing down animals in chases before circling them and finally bearing down on their prey and dismembering it. When facing more powerful prey they tag in and out, to avoid wearing themselves out while wearing down their prey.
A pack can roam over a very large area that is considered 'their territory'. They mark this using their anal glands, and viciously attack any other packs that would dare intrude. They mate frequently and have a short gestation period, which explains why they are one of the most prolific animals in these areas. Cubs are born nearly fully developed (not in size of course), lacking only the bone mask which will they will develop over their first half year. They have a relatively short lifespan of roughly 12 years.
Statistics
[5th Edition D&D]
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