Fantasy Monster: Dire Hedgehog

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Dire Hedgehog

A sizeable hedgehog with longer snout and longer limbs.

CR 2; XP 600
N Medium Animal

Init +2; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +7

Defense
AC 14, touch 14, flat-footed 11 (+2 Dex, +2 natural)
hp 22 (4d8+4)
Fort +5; Ref +6; Will +3
Defensive Ability coat of spines

Offense
Speed 20 ft.

Melee bite +4 (1d4+1), 2 claws +4 (1d4+1)

Special Attacks vermin eater

Statistics
Str 12, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 2, Wis 15, Cha 7
Base Atk +3; CMB +4; CMD 16 (20 vs. trip)

Feats Blind-Fight, Nimble Move

Skills Perception +7, Stealth +7

Ecology
Environment forests
Organization solitary, pair
Treasure none

Special Abilities

Coat Of Spines (Ex) A dire hedgehog has long, thick, sharp spines, much stronger and dangerous than those possessed by its smaller kin. Any creature striking a dire hedgehog with a natural attack or an unarmed strike suffers 1d4 points of piercing damage. Creatures with natural armor bonus of +6 or more, or wearing heavy armor with gauntlets are immune.

Vermin Eater (Ex) A dire hedgehog has +1 racial bonus to attack rolls, damage rolls, saving throws, and skill checks made against vermin.

Dire hedgehogs are bigger and more vicious kin to a common hedgehog. Mostly feeding on insects and worms, they are not above consuming smaller animals and an occasional unlucky fey. Despite that (or maybe because of it) many smaller fey keep them as guard animals or even war beasts. They also seem to be fond of, and very protective towards regular hedgehogs, probably mistaking them for their own hoglets.

Dire hedgehogs, unusually for animals of such size, can be adopted as familiars by a 7th level caster with Improved Familiar feat.