Sandrunner Beast

The Sandrunner Beasts are formidable creatures of the desert, celebrated for their unparalleled speed, strength, and adaptability in the harsh landscape of Dhuma. Revered by nomadic tribes and desert settlements, these creatures are not just seen as animals but as near-mythical guardians of the sands. Their speed allows them to chase down prey or evade larger predators with ease, and their powerful, muscular bodies make them capable hunters and protectors.
With their sandy-colored fur, which blends seamlessly with the arid environment, Sandrunner Beasts are able to avoid detection when they choose to stay hidden. Their large, expressive eyes are highly sensitive, allowing them to see well during both day and night, and their sharp teeth are perfect for seizing prey. The elongated limbs and webbed toes aid them in maintaining balance and speed over loose sand, giving them the ability to move with surprising grace for their size.
These creatures are valued companions and mounts for the desert dwellers, able to bear significant loads for short distances, making them excellent for scouting and travel between neighboring settlements. However, training them requires a deep understanding of their cautious nature and a mutual respect. Legends surrounding the Sandrunner Beasts paint them as protectors of the desert, and harming one without reason is thought to invoke the wrath of the desert itself.
While Sandrunner Beasts are not currently endangered, their populations have been impacted by habitat encroachment and overhunting by those seeking to use them as exotic mounts or guard animals. In Dhuma, some tribes and settlements have implemented protective measures, respecting their cultural significance and ensuring sustainable practices when interacting with these creatures. Regulations prevent indiscriminate hunting, and penalties are imposed on those who harm or capture Sandrunner Beasts without proper permits.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Sandrunner Beasts are large, powerfully built quadrupeds designed for speed and agility. Their anatomy reflects their predatory nature and the demands of the desert environment. Sandrunner Beasts typically stand around 5 feet at the shoulder, with a length of 8 to 10 feet, not including their long, tufted tail. Their bodies are muscular yet streamlined, built to maintain both endurance and explosive speed.
Their sandy-colored fur provides natural camouflage, with variations in shades that allow them to blend with different desert terrains. The fur is dense yet sleek, insulating them against the cold desert nights while shedding excess heat during the day. They possess elongated limbs that end in webbed toes, providing stability on loose sand and allowing them to distribute their weight more effectively. Their webbed toes help them gain traction in the desert, reducing the risk of sinking or slipping.
The large, expressive eyes of the Sandrunner Beasts are adapted to low-light conditions, allowing them to hunt and navigate in twilight and dawn. They are capable of seeing in the dark to a limited extent, making them efficient nocturnal and crepuscular hunters. Equipped with a row of sharp, jagged teeth, Sandrunner Beasts have a powerful bite force. Their canines are elongated, designed to grip prey firmly, while their molars are adapted to tear flesh, underscoring their carnivorous diet. Their long, muscular tail is tipped with a tuft of coarse fur and aids in balance during high-speed pursuits and abrupt turns. The tail also serves as a social signaling tool, often used in displays of dominance or bonding.
Located near their paws and neck, these glands release a musky scent used to mark territory, as well as communicate with other members of their pack. This scent is also thought to ward off smaller desert scavengers, allowing them to protect their hunting grounds and nests.

Genetics and Reproduction

Sandrunner Beasts are typically solitary until the mating season, which occurs once every two years during the brief desert spring when food is more abundant. Males engage in competitive displays of speed and agility to attract females, performing elaborate runs and leaps that showcase their physical prowess. This ritualized behavior reinforces their agility as a primary survival trait.
After mating, females carry a gestation period of about four months, after which they give birth to a litter of 1-3 pups. The pups are born with a faint, dappled coat for better camouflage. They remain under the mother's care for the first few months, learning essential survival skills, such as hunting techniques and territorial navigation.
Sandrunner Beasts reach adulthood by three years of age and can live up to 15-20 years in the wild, though their lifespan can be extended in captivity. Their growth rate is fast in the first year as they develop the agility and strength needed to survive independently in the desert.

Ecology and Habitats

Sandrunner Beasts are commonly found in the open desert plains and rocky outcrops of Dhuma. These areas provide ample space for them to utilize their impressive speed. They often form small packs and are territorial, marking their territory with scent and claw marks on rocks.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Sandrunner Beasts are obligate carnivores, relying on a diet primarily composed of small to medium-sized desert mammals, reptiles, and large insects. Occasionally, they scavenge if prey is scarce, but they prefer fresh kills to maintain peak health and energy levels. Sandrunner Beasts are ambush hunters, using their speed and agility to close in on prey quickly once they've chosen a target. They often position themselves on rocky outcrops or dunes, where they can watch for movement below. With their keen eyesight, they wait for the right moment before bursting into a sprint, covering ground quickly to surprise their target.
In times of scarcity, Sandrunner Beasts may stash prey carcasses in shaded crevices or shallow sand pits to preserve them for later consumption. However, due to the desert’s harsh environment and the risk of scavengers, this practice is rare, and they generally consume their kills immediately.
Given the arid conditions of their habitat, Sandrunner Beasts are adept at conserving water. They obtain much of their hydration from their prey, as the moisture within the meat suffices for their needs. During extremely dry periods, they may consume dew or moisture from shaded rocks early in the morning.

Behaviour

Sandrunner Beasts are highly territorial creatures, especially during mating season and when food is scarce. They use scent marking and claw scratches on rocks to demarcate their territory, which serves as a warning to other Sandrunner Beasts and intruders alike. Intruders are often met with aggressive displays, including growls, raised fur, and charging displays to intimidate and drive them away.
Sandrunner Beasts are typically solitary but may form small packs in resource-abundant areas. These packs are usually composed of a dominant pair and their offspring, with each individual contributing to the hunt. They establish a social hierarchy through displays of dominance, such as posturing, snarling, and gentle sparring.
Despite their solitary tendencies, Sandrunner Beasts can form strong bonds with humans or other handlers when trained from a young age. Once bonded, they are fiercely loyal and protective, considering their handler part of their "pack." They may exhibit behaviors such as nuzzling or sitting close to their bonded individual, mirroring the way they interact with members of their own species.
Sandrunner Beasts display a high level of curiosity and intelligence, often inspecting new objects or unfamiliar scents in their environment. This curiosity makes them highly trainable, as they quickly pick up commands and learn tasks when positively reinforced. However, they are also known to be stubborn and may refuse tasks they see as unnecessary or degrading.
Known as vigilant and alert creatures, Sandrunner Beasts have a strong protective instinct, especially towards their territory and young. If they perceive a threat to themselves, their young, or their handler, they respond with aggression, often warning intruders with a low growl or by baring their teeth before attacking if the threat persists.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Sandrunner Beasts possess highly acute vision, adapted for detecting movement at great distances, even under low-light conditions typical of desert twilight. Their large, sharp eyes can spot prey or intruders across the dunes, making them vigilant hunters and guardians. While their hearing is not as advanced as their vision, Sandrunner Beasts have an above-average range, allowing them to detect sounds of approaching creatures or subtle shifts in the desert winds. Their ear structure enables them to pick up vibrations in the sand, adding to their environmental awareness.
With a strong olfactory sense, Sandrunner Beasts can track prey across vast distances. Their sense of smell also allows them to recognize familiar scents, aiding in territory marking and social bonding within packs.
Local legends suggest that Sandrunner Beasts have a slight sensitivity to changes in atmospheric pressure, giving them an instinctual warning before sandstorms or extreme weather events. This adaptation is crucial for desert survival, as it prompts them to seek shelter. 
Sandrunner Beasts have evolved specialized features suited for desert life, such as their sandy-colored fur for camouflage and webbed toes for traversing loose sand. These adaptations are naturally selected to enhance survival in the arid regions of Dhuma. Over generations, they have developed a streamlined muscular structure, optimized for bursts of speed and agility.

Civilization and Culture

Common Myths and Legends

According to local legends, Sandrunner Beasts were created by the desert gods to serve as guardians of the sands. They are believed to possess a spiritual connection to the desert, and harming them without cause is considered bad luck.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

In Dhuma, Sandrunner Beasts are respected for their strength and agility. They are often featured in local art and folklore, symbolizing speed and resilience. They are also used in various ceremonies and rituals, particularly those related to hunting and protection.

Scientific Name

Veloxera arenis

Lifespan

20-25 years

Conservation Status

Near Threatened

Average Height

5 feet

Average Length

Up to 10 feet, including their long, whip-like tails

Geographic Distribution

• Ashara Desert

Homebrew

Sandrunner Beast CR: 3

Large beast, unaligned

Armor Class: 15 (natural armor)

Hit Points: 84 (8d10 + 40)

Speed: 50 ft

STR

18 +4

DEX

16 +3

CON

20 +5

INT

2 -4

WIS

12 +1

CHA

6 -2

Skills: Perception +3, Stealth +5

Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13

Challenge Rating: 3 ( 700 XP)

Keen Smell. The Sandrunner Beast has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Pounce. If the Sandrunner Beast moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature and then hits it with a claw attack on the same turn, that target must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, the Sandrunner Beast can make one bite attack against it as a bonus action.

Pack Tactics. The Sandrunner Beast has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the beast's allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn't incapacitated.. The Sandrunner Beast has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the beast's allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn't incapacitated.

Actions

Multiattack. The Sandrunner Beast makes two attacks: one with its bite and one with its claws.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d8 + 4) piercing damage.

Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) slashing damage.

Sand Sprint (Recharge 5-6). The Sandrunner Beast can move up to its speed in a straight line without provoking opportunity attacks.

Sandrunner Beasts are renowned for their impressive bursts of speed, making them excellent hunters. Their agility and strength make them valuable assets for nomadic tribes and desert settlements. These beasts can be used as mounts for short-distance travel and as guard animals to protect against intruders.

Suggested Environments

Sandrunner Beasts are commonly found in the open desert plains and rocky outcrops of Dhuma. These areas provide ample space for them to utilize their impressive speed. They often form small packs and are territorial, marking their territory with scent and claw marks on rocks.