Rockhound (3.5e Monster)

''The rocky ground before you rumbles like a miniature earthquake. Suddenly a pack of six-legged wolf-like creatures with skin made from solid rock burst out of the ground, growling like the sound of heavy stones rubbing against each other, gazing at you with ink-black eyes and jaws full of flint-like teeth.''

Rockhounds are silicon-based animals usually found near heavy concentrations of iron-rich silicates. A typical rockhound stands 30 inches high at the shoulder with a very thick torso and weighs about 400 lbs. They have six legs and no tails, but their heads greatly resemble a short-muzzled dog. Their jaws are large and powerful, designed to extract and chew softer minerals which are their food.

Rockhounds can be domesticated just like dogs. While they lack the tracking ability of their namesakes, they make excellent guards due to their keen senses. Initially they were thought to be a type of earth elemental, but underneath their rock-like hides they do possess organ structures and a very sluggish circulatory system. They are sensitive to vibrations, but can be taught to recognize specific sounds such as names and basic commands. A well-trained rockhound will sell for at least 800 gold.

Combat
Rockhounds in the wild are territorial and attack intruding creatures using pack tactics, usually led by an alpha rockhound. One or two rockhounds will attempt to burrow up directly underneath an intruder and wrestle it to the ground while the rest of the pack closes in for the kill. If the intruder proves significantly more powerful, the rockhounds will burrow into the ground and flee, only fighting to the death to protect their young. Rockhounds do not have genders, and reproduce slowly, bearing only 1 or 2 rockhounds at a time every ten years or so. Rockhounds grow to maturity slowly over eight years. Domesticated rockhounds live for around two hundred years.

Earth Glide : A rockhound can burrow through stone, dirt, or almost any type of earth except metal. Its burrowing leaves behind no tunnel or hole.

Powerful Jaws : A rockhound's jaws are designed to crush and chew rock. They can snap bones with a single bite, even when the opponent is protected by armor. Rockhound bite attacks do damage as a creature one size larger, and adds double the Strength modifier to damage instead of the usual 1.5 times for a creature with a single natural attack.

Trip : A rockhound that hits with its bite attack can attempt to trip the opponent (+2 check modifier) as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity or making a touch attack. If the attempt fails, the opponent cannot react to trip the rockhound.

Skills: Sensitive to vibrations, rockhounds gain a +6 racial bonus on listen checks. Additionally, while in underground or rocky areas the rockhound gets a +2 bonus to hide checks.