Dire Eagle

Illus. by R. Spencer

of deep hound-mounted cavalry patrol the underground caverns near dwarf cities, and experienced dwarf scouts often rely heavily on their deep hound companions.

Deep hounds grow as tall as 4 feet at the shoulder and weigh more than 900 pounds. As a deep hound ages, its muzzle fades from gray to white.

Combat

Trained deep hounds are courageous and loyal, and they ably assist their handler or rider in combat. In the wild, deep hound packs hunt much like wolves, harrying and baiting their prey until it is too worn to fi ght.

Light

Sensitivity (Ex):

Deep hounds are dazzled in bright sunlight or within the radius of a daylight spell.

Trainable (Ex): A deep hound is easier to train and handle than most magical beasts.

Handle Animal checks made to train or handle a deep

Dire eagle

hound are not increased by 5. Dwarves receive a +2 circumstance bonus on all Handle Animal checks made to train or handle a deep hound.

Skills: Deep hounds have a +4 racial bonus on Jump checks. *Deep hounds have a +4 racial bonus on Survival checks when tracking by scent.

Training a Deep Hound

A deep hound serves readily as a mount or guard animal, but it requires training. Training a deep hound requires a different amount of time depending on the specifi c training it undergoes. See the Handle Animal skill description, page 74 of the Player’s Handbook, for more information on training and handling animals and magical beasts. Riding a deep hound requires an exotic saddle. Deep hound pups are worth 4,000 gp apiece on the open market. Professional trainers charge 250 gp to rear or train a deep hound. Carrying Capacity: A light load for a deep hound is up to 600 pounds; a medium load, 601–1,200 pounds; and a heavy load, 1201–1,800 pounds. A deep hound can drag 9,000 pounds.

Large Animal Hit Dice: 5d8+15 (37 hp) Initiative: +4 Speed: 10 ft. (2 squares), fl y 60 ft. (average) Armor Class: 18 (–1 size, +4 Dex, +5 natural), touch 13, fl at-footed 14 Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+12 Attack: Talon +7 melee (1d8+5) Full Attack: 2 talons +7 melee (1d8+5) and bite +2 melee (1d8+2) Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft. Special Attacks: — Special Qualities: Lowlight vision Saves: Fort +7, Ref +8, Will +3 Abilities: Str 20, Dex 19, Con 17, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 6 Skills: Listen +4, Spot +20 Feats: Alertness, Flyby Attack Environment: Temperate mountains Organization: Solitary or pair Challenge Rating: 3 Treasure: None Alignment: Always neutral Advancement: 6–10 HD (Large) Level Adjustment: —

This enormous eagle has thick, glossy feathers that accentuate its bulk and physical power.

Dire eagles are larger, more powerful versions of the common eagle. The most powerful goliath clans keep dire eagles as mounts, using them to scout the mountain ranges they inhabit.