Hyenas are canines. Their front legs are longer than their back legs, giving them a sloped appearance. Their fur is tan with stripes of black or gray. They have night vision with a range of 100 feet and are proficient at tracking (85%).
Hyenas are nocturnal hunters. Solitary hyenas will eat creatures killed by other predators, but packs of hyenas will hunt. They will also unearth graves to eat corpses and enter civilized areas to kill livestock.
They are cowardly by nature and avoid combat with humanoids and large animals. Hyenas fear fire and can be held at bay with a torch or open flame. Giant Hyenas, however, are fearless.
Hyenas have a strange howl that sounds like maniacal laughter. A giant hyena’s howl is audible from almost a mile away.
Females are slightly stronger and more dominant than males and gain a +1 AV modifier. Otherwise, they share the same characteristics.
Hyenas live in grasslands in temperate climates. They make their dens in rocky caves and hollows.
Hyena
Hit Points 8 +1d4
DV1 / DV2 1 / 1
Attack Value 3
# Attacks 1
Weapon Type Bite
Damage 1d6
Saving Throws 14+
Speed Walk (3) / Run (15)
Hyenas stand two feet at the shoulder and weigh about ninety pounds. These animals are aggressive when hungry but leave combat if reduced to 5 or fewer hit points.
When fighting, they attack with their bite, which inflicts 1d6 damage.
Hyenas travel in small packs of five to fifteen. Young hyenas have one-half the health and damage potential of their parents. Certain humanoids (e.g., higmoni and ogres) have domesticated the hyena and use them as guards and war animals.
Hyena, Giant
Hit Points 15 +1d8
DV1 / DV2 2 / 2
Attack Value 5
# Attacks 1
Weapon Type Bite
Damage 2d4+4
Saving Throws 10+
Speed Walk (3) / Run (18)
Giant hyenas are similar to their smaller cousins, except they are four feet at the shoulder and weigh one hundred and fifty pounds. Their fur is tan but covered with splotches of gray or black.
When in combat, a giant hyena bites its prey. This bite, which is strong enough to break a bone, inflicts 2d4+4 damage. Giant hyenas are not afraid of fire.
Giant hyenas are solitary creatures. Only females travel with their cubs. Young giant hyenas have the same characteristics as smaller adult hyenas.