Sand Howler

''This heavy-set, doglike quadruped has a broad head sporting a nest of eight eyes and a pair of curving tusks. Its semi-reptilian body is muscled and bears armored plates along the spine.''

Combat
Sand howlers rarely travel alone. They prefer stalking prey as a group, remaining unseen until the pack is in place and can attack en masse. If outnumbered, sand howlers actively use their paralyzing gaze to reduce enemy ranks.

Description
Sand howlers are canine-like creatures that roam the deserts in packs, unleashing bloodcurdling screams when pursuing prey. Mercenaries are known to capture and train young howlers to capture runaway slaves.

A sand howler's appearance is unnerving; though doglike, it has eight eyes that can paralyze prey with a glance. A howler's oversized head also sports large yellow tusks. Its scaly body ranges from dark to light brown, though rare white specimens have been noted.

Sand howlers live as a pack in subterranean dens and are ruled over by a dominant male. They dwell in desolate areas, as they do not like to compete with other creatures for resources.

Training a Sand Howler
Well-known for their excellent sense of smell, sand howlers are sought as trackers by mercenaries and slave hunters. Training a sand howler requires six weeks of work and a DC 25 Handle Animal check.

Pups are worth 1,000 cp on the open market, while a trained adult costs 2,500 cp. A rare, white-skinned howler is worth 2,000 cp for the pelt alone, which collectors value for their rarity, beauty, and supposed aid in withstanding the sun's heat.