Tirawen

A repellent pack-hunter the size of a large stag, standing some seven feet at the shoulder. It has a stag's cloven-hooved body and a tufted lion's tail, but its neck darkens to black toward a massive badger-like head whose jaws bear jagged bony ridges instead of teeth. Its eyes glow a feral red, and a reek of rotting carrion clings to it. The leucrotta is sly and cruel: it mimics human cries and animal calls to lure prey close, then bites with crushing force said to shear through shield and blade. It haunts wastelands, ruins, and broken country, ranging widely and sparing nothing it meets, a vicious foe that turns a victim's own hope against them.

Behavior

Mimics the voices of men, women, children, and beasts to draw prey within reach.
Hunts in small packs across broken, desolate terrain, surefooted as a mountain goat.
Bites with bone-ridged jaws strong enough to crack shields and armor.
Turns and kicks with its hind hooves when forced to retreat.
Leaves stag-like tracks, making it nearly impossible to identify by trail.

Abilities

Voice Mimicry. Imitates cries and speech to lure victims into ambush; can also speak its own tongue and common.
Crushing Bite. Powerful jaws that splinter shields and grind through armor over repeated strikes.
Retreating Kick. Lashes out with hind hooves while fleeing.
Carrion Stench. Its foul reek can gag and sicken those who enter its lair.

Drops & Crafting

Tough tan hide (prized for light, surefooted footwear)
Bone-ridged jawbone (tool, ornament)
Cloven hooves (glue, reagent)
Sinew and tufted tail
Saliva (rumored antidote reagent)