Beast
Scorch Hound
CR 3
Medium Beast — Unaligned
In the World
Pack predators from the deep Blackglass Wastes, adapted to a landscape that has burned for three hundred years. Scorch Hounds run in packs of three to five, using coordinated flanking patterns that suggest more intelligence than their INT score implies. They are drawn to Essa signatures — not because they feed on the energy, but because Essa use in the Wastes typically means a practitioner, and practitioners typically means a party, and a party is prey they can coordinate against. Hunters in the Wastes learn to activate techniques only when they have the numbers to handle what follows.
Traits
Pack Tactics
The Scorch Hound has advantage on attack rolls against a creature if at least one of the Hound's allies is adjacent to the creature and the ally is not incapacitated.
Heat Sense
The Scorch Hound can sense the location of any warm-blooded creature or active Essa signature within 60 ft. This sense is not blocked by normal cover or darkness.
Flame-Blooded
When the Scorch Hound takes fire damage, it immediately moves up to 10 ft toward the source and gains advantage on its next attack roll before the end of its next turn.
Actions
Multiattack
The Scorch Hound makes two attacks: one Bite and one Claw.
Bite
Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft, one target. Hit: 8 (1d10 + 3) piercing damage. The target must succeed on a DC 13 STR save or be knocked prone.
Claw
Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft, one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) slashing damage.
Thermal Howl (Recharge 6)
The hound releases a subsonic bark tuned to the heat signatures of its pack. All Scorch Hounds within 60 ft that can hear this sound immediately move up to their speed toward the nearest creature the howling hound has attacked this turn. This movement does not provoke opportunity attacks.