Jackal, Switchback

Resembling a small, half-starved wolf, this canine stares with deep intensity and undeniable hunger.

Switchback Jackal CR 1/2

XP 200
N Small animal
Init +2; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +5

AC 14, touch 13, flat-footed 12 (+2 Dex, +1 natural, +1 size)
hp 7 (1d8+3)
Fort +5, Ref +4, Will +2

Speed 40 ft.
Melee bite +1 (1d4), 2 claws +1 (1d3)

Str 11, Dex 15, Con 16, Int 2, Wis 15, Cha 6
Base Atk +0; CMB â1; CMD 11 (15 vs. trip)
Feats Skill Focus (Stealth), Overwhelm^B
Skills Stealth +5, Survival +3 (+7 to find food or water); Racial Modifiers +4 Survival to find food or water
SQ problem solver

Problem Solver (Ex)

Jackals are curious and cunning observers, able to overcome relatively complex barriers and dangers. They can use Disable Device untrained to bypass simple traps (any trap with a Disable Device DC of 20 or less). A trained switchback jackal can learn one additional trick beyond those allowed by its Intelligence.

Environment temperate and warm plains
Organization solitary, pair, or pack (5â12)
Treasure none

While wolves and big cats draw much of the common folkâs fear and ire, jackals inflict far more damage on farms and herds. Able to digest almost anything, these small predators scavenge and steal with unparalleled skill, bypassing gates, seals, traps, and even doors with ease to plunder chickens, goats, and produce. Utterly fearless, starving packs even prey on far larger and more dangerous creaturesâincluding wolves and humanoids. In harsh winters, packs subsist on grubs and roots, and even eat their own. Switchback jackals grow up to 30 pounds and 2 to 3 feet long.

Switchback jackals mostly make their homes in plains, though they can survive easily in rocky foothills and on marshy coastlines.

They breed in late spring, after 3 weeks of howling hauntingly beautiful mating songs each evening. Pups lose their mottled black-and-white coats after 6 months, growing into their dusty adult coats. During this time, packs are especially aggressive and territorial.

Switchback Jackal Companion

Size Small; Speed 40 ft.; AC +1 natural armor; Attack bite (1d4), 2 claws (1d3); Ability Scores Str 11, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 6; Special Qualities low-light vision, problem solver, scent.

Ability Scores Dex +4, Con +2, Wis +2; Bonus Feat Overwhelm.