Velociraptor (Basic Lore)

Velociraptor (CR 9)
Neutral - Medium - Animal
Velociraptors are 5-foot tall, bipedal lizards that look somewhat like a very small tyrannosaurus, except that they seem more capable of using their clawed arms when hunting than their larger brethren. Where the tyrannosaurus gets by on its brawny strength, and a massive jaw that can crush hundred-year-old trees in a single chomp, velociraptors are cunning. They seem to share a lot with wolves when it comes to pack behavior and cooperation, but they might just be more intelligent, and perhaps more cruel than wolves. Furthermore, velociraptors, as their name might imply, are fast. They move through terrain with ease, slip through fights with little trouble, and appear where they are least expected with an abrupt suddenness that would be talked about more if there were more survivors of their prowess. Male velociraptors typically have brightly colored feathers, particularly at the crest of their heads, and on their shoulders and the first joint of their arms (their elbows). While one might assume that such plumage might make them easier to spot, velociraptors have little trouble hiding among foliage. They also make good use of terrain when they can, using higher ground or blind ravines to make their presence even harder to detect before they make their move. Velociraptors have been known to clean out entire villages when their packs become large enough, breaking through windows or even opening doors. Velociraptors operate during the daylight hours, preferring to hunt at dawn and dusk, but also perfectly capable of tackling prey during full daylight. Even when their prey knows they are coming and can prepare for them, velociraptors can be quite difficult to deal with, especially in numbers.