Bonasus (4e Creature)

The animal was described by Pliny in his Naturalis Historia: "There are reports of a wild animal in Paionia called the bonasus, which has the mane of a horse, but in all other respects resembles a bull; its horns are curved back in such a manner as to be of no use for fighting, and it is said that because of this it saves itself by running away, meanwhile emitting a trail of dung that sometimes covers a distance of as much as three furlongs [604 m], contact with which scorches pursuers like a sort of fire."

This creature is also known as the bonnacon.

Lore

DC 10 Nature: A bonasus is a rare beast that looks like a cross between a horse and a bison. They are nomadic grazers.

DC 14 Nature: Herds of bonasus threaten agriculture with their particularly foul excrement that pollutes land and sources of water. Hunting this creature is dangerous, as they can shoot their excrement long distances. It is said to horribly burn on contact with skin.

DC 21 Nature: Attempts to domesticate the bonasus for use of its meat, hide, or as a mount, has failed in the past due to the creature's nausiating stench. There are rumours of troglodytes using the bonasus as mounts - but with such differing environments surely this is impossible?

Encounters

Bonasus are usually encountered in herds.

Encounter Examples

Level 4 Encounter (XP 875)

• 4 Bonasus (Level 4 Artillery)
• 1 Bonasus Bull (Level 4 Brute)
• One or more squares will contain bonasus dung. Creatures starting their turn, or entering, a square of dung takes 5 acid damage. A bonasus of course is able to resist this damage.

Bonasus

Bonasus Level 4 Artillery Large Natural Beast XP 175 HP 45; Bloodied 22 Initiative +3 AC 16; Fortitude 17, Reflex 16, Will 13 Perception +2 Speed 7 Normal Resist Acid 5 Traits Stench ♦ Aura 1 Living creatures take a -2 penalty to attack rolls while in the aura. Standard Actions Butt ♦ At-Will Attack: Melee 1 (one creature); +9 vs. AC Hit: 1d8 + 6 damage. Dungshot (Acid, Zone)♦ At-Will Attack: Ranged 20 (one creature); +9 vs. AC; 2d6 + 5 acid damage Miss: An empty square adjacent to the target becomes a zone of acidic dung until the end of the bonasus's next turn. Creatures that start in the zone or enter it take 5 acid damage. Skills Str 19 (+6) Dex 13 (+3) Wis 11 (+2) Con 16 (+5) Int 2 (-2) Cha 9 (+1) Alignment Unaligned Languages - Equipment —

Bonasus A herd of bonasus are not interested in fighting and will attempt to flee unless defending their young. Those nearest to the threat will use dungshot to wound them: even if this misses it creates a hazard that may slow their pursuit.

Bonasus Bull

Bonasus Level 4 Brute Large Natural Beast XP 175 HP 66; Bloodied 33 Initiative +3 AC 16; Fortitude 17, Reflex 16, Will 13 Perception +2 Speed 7 Normal Resist Acid 5 Traits Stench ♦ Aura 1 Living creatures take a -2 penalty to attack rolls while in the aura. Standard Actions Butt ♦ At-Will Attack: Melee 1 (one creature); +9 vs. AC Hit: 2d8 + 7 damage. Immediate Reaction Dungspray (Acid, Zone)♦ At-Will Trigger: A creature ends its turn flanking the bonasus bull. Attack: Close burst 3 (creatures in burst); +7 vs. Reflex; 2d6 + 5 acid damage Effect: Squares in the burst create a zone of burning dung that lasts until the end of the bull's next turn. Creatures that start their turn in the in the zone or enter it take 5 acid damage. Skills Str 19 (+6) Dex 13 (+3) Wis 11 (+2) Con 16 (+5) Int 2 (-2) Cha 9 (+1) Alignment Unaligned Languages - Equipment —

The bull is the patriarch of a herd of bonasus. He will engage in melee creatures that threaten his harem and does not fear becoming flanked as this will trigger his dungspray.

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