ECOLOGY

Environment temperate forests
Organization solitary or pair
Treasure none

Chalicotheriums are massive creatures resembling sloths with vaguely equine heads and long forelimbs ending in wickedly sharp claws. These creatures are generally docile and will attack only when provoked, but they defend their homes and young from attack viciously. A typical adult chalicotherium is about 10 feet tall at the shoulder and 12 feet long from nose to rump, and weighs 14,000 pounds.

When on the ground, a chalicotherium seems almost to be standing upright, as its short, stocky rear legs support most of its body weight. Its ability to climb is superb, though only exceptionally large trees are sturdy enough to support it, and its long front limbs allow it to quickly ascend to dizzying heights even among relatively sparse foliage. The chalicotherium diet consists mainly of flowers and leaves, and a small family of these animals can quickly strip all the greenery from an area of forest before moving on.

Chalicotheriums are generally found alone or in breeding pairs with young. Chalicotheriums are protective of their offspring, which they produce in small litters of one to three pups at a time.

These pups use their still-developing claws to hold on to a thick fat pad on the mother's back.

Chalicotherium Companions

Starting Statistics

Size Medium; Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft.; AC +4 natural; Attack 2 claws (1d4); Ability Scores Str 12, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 3; Special Qualities low-light vision, scent.

7th-Level Advancement

Size Large; AC +2 natural; Attack 2 claws (1d6); Ability Scores Str +8, Dex –2, Con +4; Special Attack rend (2 claws, 1d6).