Bhaergala

The Bhaergala is a large predator resembling a cross between a lion and a wolf. Their heads are quite wolflike, while their bodies are leonine with the exception of fur coloration. Bhaergala fur is short and typically gray, although many shades of grey are possible. Both male and female bhaergala sport small manes about the head and neck. These manes are usually (but not always) darker than the rest of the bhaergala’s fur and always match the tuft of long fur found at the end of the tail. Its fur has a faint but unmistakable odor, often described by adventurers as akin to that of fresh-baked bread or biscuits. All Bhaergala have powerful jaws and long, sharp, non retractable claws useful for both hunting and climbing. Its food is known to include elves, satyrs, and humans.

Although they exhibit a fair degree of culture among their own kind, they are primarily loners who get together only to mate and rear children. They consider the culture of humans and their ilk foolish and spurn it and all its trappings including clothing and written language. Song, however, is very important to almost all bhaergala; it is through their songs that bhaergala teach their young, learn of the world of civilized bipeds, and lure their intelligent prey to their doom.

Bhaergala pride themselves as the best hunters of their size in their territory, even if they are not always at the top of the food chain. They have a number of minor special abilities, including the ability to climb trees and leap from great heights to pounce on surprised prey, very sturdy constitutions, and the ability to turn spells directed at them.

Bhaergala have a good chance of hearing the approach of anything coming toward it's position. If it does, it typically climbs a tree in order to determine if it will remain hidden from the interlopers or pounce on unsuspecting prey. If discovered unaware, or if spotted, most bhaergala choose to use deception over retreat. The goal of the deception is usually to position the entrant in a more disadvantageous position and then the bhaergala pounces.

Bhaergala have also been know to lure prey into their lair using music, this can be done by the bhaergala singing, or by forcing a hostage to sing or play music. Bhaergala are also so attracted to music themselves that they more often that not cannot help but attack passersby who have done any singing or playing of music, or that they can tell possess musical instruments.

Bhaergala are typically encountered in heavily wooded areas from tropical to temperate climates. It is most common in jungles where the undergrowth is dense, it uses the heavy cover to conceal itself from prey.

Although they always dispose of any trappings of civilization found on their more intelligent prey, treating weapons, gold, and bones alike by burying them some distance from their lairs (and they usually change lairs several times each year), bhaergala frequently collect old musical instruments and noisemakers. Most instruments are broken by the bhaergala’s claws as they attempt to play them, or else dashed to bits when the bhaergala becomes too frustrated with its inability to produce the sweet sounds it heard when they were in the hands of skilled humans of demihumans.