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Din

Appearance

Din are a large species of cats. Their pelt ranges from a dark stripped tan to a deep dark brown-black, depending on whether they were raised from a plains or jungle breed. Din have a very strong bone structure and powerful muscles which are fine tuned to rest perfectly still for hours in wait or to suddenly leap at an instant, only to freeze in motion again. Din are judicious in what they attack, but vicious when they do. Their paws have large claws hidden which can rake the guts from the soft belly of most creatures. Just above their paddy-paws, on each leg, they possess an extra fang-like claw. This extra claw carries with it a powerful paralytic poison which the Din can use when attacking with their claws.

Combat

Din will usually lay in wait for their prey rather then attack openly, jumping from trees or out of hiding.
    Pounce (Ex): If a Din charges and leaps upon a foe during the first round of combat, it can make a full attack, including rake attacks.
    Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, the Din must hit with it's bite attack. If it gets a hold, it can rake.
    Rake (Ex): A Din that successfully grapples an opponent can make two rake attacks (+10 melee) with its hind legs for 1d6+3 damage each. If the Din pounces on an opponent, it can also rake.
    Poison (Ex): Inflicted by injury anytime the Din makes a successful attack with its front claws (Fortitude, DC 15). The initial effect of the poison is paralysis
    Skills: Din receive a +4 racial bonus to Balance, Climb, Hide, and Move Silently checks. *In areas of tall grass or heavy vegetation, the Hide bonus improves to +12.

Habitat/Society

The Ki'Kiri Jungles are a dangerous place for most outsiders and a paradise for those who call it home. It is a place full of life and nearly impenetrable from the outside world. Within the jungles, the forests and vines are so thick that there are several different ground levels usually. The branches and vines, combined with the ancient age of the jungle, have formed islands of plant life which are held up above the ground by the trees and vines - creating the effect of ground even though the true ground of the jungle may be far, far beneath.
    It is in these wild, dense, and unique jungles the Din live. A pack of Din may cover as much as 50 miles round of territory in their hunting. Din are adept tree climbers and will often use a tree as a means of escaping a fight that is going badly.

Ecology

The Ki'Kiri Jungles of Ki'kiri are the only place in the world where Din are known to naturally thrive. There they are greater then lions and other cat-relatives which prowl the forest. The Din lives there both in the tree-floor as well as down in the darkest parts of the jungle-floor itself. Din usually do not form packs with more than ten adults. Large groups usually split in two. Din usually hunt by themselves or in pairs unless going for larger prey. Din prefer their meat fresh and nearly alive when they consume it, the poison allows them to return to their prides den with their food for all to partake.

History

The Elves of Greentree have long used Din as special hunting mounts for the privileged. Though they have been breeding them for many years now, the creatures are still unpredictable Din tend to think of anything alive and smaller than itself as a potential meal. Thus the riders of Din must undergo some training themselves to prevent unwanted accidents from occurring while near their mounts.
    Perhaps one of the most advantageous aspects of riding a Din rather than a horse is, provided the rider and mount are well trained, that Din can climb trees using their sharp claws and feline flexibility, unimpeded by it's rider. Din were brought to the elves by the great elven explorer Errinemor Torn from one of his many visits to the Ki'kiri Jungles.

Variants and Resources

It is said that there are creatures very much like the Din who live in the arctic. These cats burrow beneath the snow while waiting for prey to pass nearby for its attack. These cats are said to be white furred and heavily coated. They also have a paralytic poisonous claws display the same cunning as their jungle cousins.