A wide rack of ivory-white antlers crowns the head of this majestic tawny stag.
Emperor Stag CR 3
XP 800
N Medium animal
Init +4; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +10
AC 15, touch 14, flat-footed 11 (+4 Dex, +1 natural)
hp 38 (4d8+20)
Fort +9, Ref +8, Will +3
Defensive Abilities wary reaction
Speed 50 ft.; nimble footing
Melee gore +5 (1d6+2), 2 hooves +0 (1d4+1)
Str 15, Dex 18, Con 20, Int 2, Wis 15, Cha 11
Base Atk +3; CMB +5; CMD 19 (23 vs. trip)
Feats Endurance B, Run B, Skill Focus (Acrobatics, Perception)
Skills Acrobatics +12 (+20 when jumping), Perception +10
An emperor stag ignores difficult terrain. When an emperor stag charges or runs, it can make one turn of up to 90 degrees during its movement.
An emperor stag can take a single move action during the surprise round even if caught unawares.
Environment temperate hills or forests
Organization solitary or pair
Treasure none
Both male and female specimens of the emperor stag exhibit the same glorious white horns, representing the quintessential game for those in high society who fancy themselves hunters. Bred for not just their impressive antlers but also their extraordinary endurance, these golden-furred deer can run for days on end through the roughest terrains, easily outpacing even the finest horses. Despite their impressive physiques, emperor stags are more cautious and timid than other deer, rarely gathering in herds, and while the emperor stags are formidable fighters when cornered, their true gifts are keen senses, speed, stealth, and steady footing.
Since the emperor stags are generally too alert to fall prey to ambushes, popular myth suggests that the only true way to capture one is to match its legendary endurance, chasing it for days or weeks through forests, across rivers, and up rocky slopes, until the deer or the hunter finally succumbs to exhaustion. More commonly, nobles rotate packs of dogs to herd and exhaust the elusive creatures while following leisurely on horseback, later spinning fictions of their own harrowing endurance.
Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Taldor, The First Empire © 2017, Paizo Inc.; Authors: Mark Moreland, with Crystal Frasier, Violet Hargrave, and Isabelle Lee.