Frightful Fridays! Dire Pink Fairy Armadillo

Hello, and welcome back to another edition of Frightful Fridays! I'm taking a break from the creepy to bring you something cute this week. However, the dire pink fairy armadillo's cuteness is deceptive, because it's got sharp claws that will dig furrows in characters just as deep as those they create in the ground. Should a grasslands druid, ranger, hunter, or other animal-companioned character want one, they're available.

I hope you enjoy the dire pink fairy armadillo, and I'll see you next week with another monster. Thanks for reading!

The likelihood is high that another FF! entry will come from this link.

This pink, armor-plated animal is low to the ground; its claws are definitely built for digging but look like they could inflict harm on flesh.

Dire Pink Fairy Armadillo      CR 3

XP 800

N Small animal

Init +7; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +6

DEFENSE

AC 18, touch 13, flat-footed 14 (+3 Dex, +4 natural, +1 size)

hp 30 (4d8+12)

Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +2

OFFENSE

Speed 30 ft., burrow 10 ft., swim 20 ft.; sand glide

Melee 2 claws +7 (1d6+3)

STATISTICS

Str 17, Dex 16, Con 17, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 13

Base Atk +3; CMB +5; CMD 18 (22 vs. trip)

Feats Improved Initiative, Reactive Burrower

Skills Acrobatics +7, Perception +6, Stealth +11, Swim +11

ECOLOGY

Environment temperate and warm plains

Organization solitary, pair, or roll (3–8)

Treasure none

Dire pink fairy armadillos are gigantic cousin to pink fairy armadillos and considerably more aggressive. Also unlike their smaller cousins, they are more comfortable gathering in groups. A typical hunting tactic for a roll of armadillos is to leave one out as prey for a potential predator, while the others lie in wait just under the ground’s surface. When the unsuspecting creature draws close, the hiding armadillos leap out of their hiding spots and savage the victim with their claws.

Lone dire pink fairy armadillos take a more defensive approach to confrontation and rely on their burrowing ability to avoid predators. Since they virtually swim through loose earth, they leave little trace for pursuers. These armadillos usually wait until the last second to drive into the ground to confound predators.

Dire Pink Fairy Armadillo Companions

The fierceness possessed by dire pink fairy armadillos makes them good candidates for animal companions. Note that these armadillos have access to the Reactive Burrower feat when choosing a feat for them.

Starting Statistics: Size Small; Speed 30 ft., burrow 10 ft., swim 20 ft., sand glide; AC +2 natural armor; Attack 2 claws (1d4); Ability Scores: Str 15, Dex 16, Con 15, Int 2, Cha 13; Special Qualities low-light vision, scent.

4th Level Advancement: Size Medium; Speed 30 ft., burrow 20 ft., swim 20 ft.; AC +4 natural armor; Attack 2 claws (1d8); Ability Scores Str +4, Dex –2, Con +4.

New Feat

Dire pink fairy armadillos can react to danger and dive into the ground to avoid being hit by a foe. Other creatures with a burrow speed can take the below feat.

Reactive Burrower

You can take to the safety of the earth when threatened by an attack.

Prerequisites: Burrow speed.

Benefit: As an immediate action, you can burrow 5 feet into the ground in response to an attack. You gain a +4 circumstance bonus to Armor Class when using this feat. Your burrow speed decreases by 5 feet during your turn. You must be aware of the attack to use this feat, and you cannot use this feat if you are denied your Dexterity bonus to Armor Class.