# Charnel Hound >[!rimg]+ > ![[Placeholder2.png]] *The hound-shaped creature stands at least 20 feet at the shoulder. Closer scrutiny reveals that while the creature has the outward shape of a hound, its form is composed of the bodies of hundreds of rotting humanoid corpses.* <div class="grid-container"><div class="MON">Charnel Hound</div> <div class="CR">CR 13 (25,600 XP)</div> <div class="SOU">Monster Manual 3</div> <div class="SYS">Dungeons & Dragons 3.5</div></div> CE Huge Undead **Init** +2 **Senses** darkvision 60 ft.; **Perception** +0 **Aura** frightful presence (60 ft., DC 21 Will) #### defense **AC** 26, 10 touch, 24 flat-footed (+2 Dex, +16 natural, -2 size) **hp** 175 (14d8+112); unholy toughness **Fort** +8, **Refl** +6, **Will** +9 **Feint** —, **Demoralize** — **Defensive Abilities** unholy toughness **DR** 10/silver and magic; **SR** 24 **Immune** undead traits **Weakness** aversion to sunlight #### offense **Speed** 40 ft. **Melee** bite +22 (2d6+14), 2 claws +22 (1d8+14) **Space** 15 ft., **Reach** 10 ft. **Special Attacks** body integration, rend (2 claws, 2d8+21) #### statistics **Str** 38, **Dex** 14, **Con** —, **Int** —, **Wis** 11, **Cha** 18 **BAB** +10, **CMB** +23, **CMD** 35, **TA** +22, **RTA** +10 **Feats** [[Power Attack]]^B **Skills** Perception +0 **SQ** aversion to sunlight #### special abilities ### Aversion to Sunlight (Ex) Charnel hounds loathe daylight. If exposed to natural sunlight, a charnel hound takes a -4 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, and skill checks. ### Body Integration (Su) When a charnel hound reduces a living humanoid creature of Large size or smaller to -1 or fewer hit points, that creature is slain, and its body is instantly absorbed into the form of the charnel hound, healing the charnel hound for 3 hit points per HD of the victim. The creature can make a DC 21 Fortitude to resist the effect. This is a death effect. The save DC is Charisma-based. ### Unholy Toughness (Ex) A charnel hound gains bonus hit points equal to its Charisma modifier × its Hit Dice. #### tactics A charnel hound savages any living creatures it encounters. When it overcomes its foes (especially humanoids) it immediately integrates the foe into its own body, even if the foe is not quite dead yet. A charnel hound uses its Power Attack feat. #### ecology **Terrain** Any **Organization** Solitary, pair, or gang (3–4) **Treasure** Standard **Advancement** 22–31 HD (Huge); 32–63 HD (Gargantuan) Charnel hounds are a stunning achievement of some crazed necromancer or god of death. Their very presence is a proclamation of necromantic power. The way in which the bodies making up a charnel hound’s form sometimes scream, mutter, and jerk serves to horrify and frighten onlookers. Charnel hounds, once created, are self-sufficient engines of undead destruction found at night roaming plains where battles have been fought, or loose in underground areas large enough to accommodate their bulk. During the day, they dig themselves great burrows to escape the sun. When clerics or necromancers are powerful enough to command a charnel hound, it is often used as a guardian. A charnel hound is about 20 feet tall and weighs about 35,000 pounds.