I'm not sure that I'm entirely happy with what I came up with for the hodag, but I'm not finding any inspiration, so here it is.
This lovely picture is by Frank Parr. Used with permission.
Hodag
Large monstrosity, unaligned
Armor Class
14 (natural armor)
Hit Points 76
(9d10+27)
Speed 40 ft.,
climb 30 ft.
Str Dex Con Int Wis Cha
19 (+4) 10 (+0) 16 (+3) 3
(-4) 12 (+1) 3 (-4)
Saving Throws Con +5
Skills Stealth +4
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive
Perception 11
Languages –
Challenge 3
Charge. If the hodag moves at least 20 feet
straight towards a target and then hits it with a gore attack on the same turn,
the target takes an extra 10 (2d10) damage. If the target is a creature, it
must succeed on a DC 14 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Actions
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit,
reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d8+4) piercing damage.
Gore. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit,
reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d10+4) piercing damage.
The hodag is
a solitary and territorial predator that inhabits temperate woods. It is a
large, thick-bodied lizard-like creature with short legs that end with clawed
feet. The hodag’s body is covered with dark green fur, its mouth has large,
vicious fangs and a pair of forward sweeping horns grows from the top of it
head. Spikes grow from its back along its spine, sprouting from its nape to the
end of its tail.
Despite its
somewhat ungainly appearance, the hodag is surprisingly stealthy. It is also a
proficient climber, able to use its claws to aid in its efforts. The hodag is
also a very robust creature, seemingly more resistant to such things as poisons
if only through sheer stubbornness.
Lone Hunters
Hodags live
alone in wild, wooded places, claiming a large hunting territory. They will
only tolerate another member of their species when it is time to mate, with the
pair immediately going their separate ways once it is done. At any other time,
two hodags who cross each other’s paths will battle until one is finally forced
to flee.
Fearless Predators
Hodags are
vicious predators, and they fear very little. They will eat just about anything
they can kill, though they seem to have a peculiar fondness for dog flesh. They
will only hesitate to attack something that is obviously significantly more
powerful than they are.
Hodags
despise the scent of lemons. While not harmful to them, they will generally
avoid an area that smells of the fruit. Travelers who know they are passing
through a hodag’s territory will typically make sure they have some of the
fruit with them to ward off the beast. If the traveler is lucky, it will
actually work.
