A family of early Paleogene predators, distantly related to hyaenodonts and carnivorans. They resembled mustelids (weasels and badgers) with some cat-like features and long, thick tails.
Machaeroides
One lineage of oxyaenids developed dramatic fangs, much like the saber-tooth cats. These were protected by a bony flange under the chin, and likely sheathed themselves in long lips. The earliest known, Machaeroides, was around the size of a wolverine and lived in North America during the early Eocene. It was succeeded in the middle Eocene by the leopard-sized Apataelurus in East Asia and North America and the fossa-like Diegoaelurus in California.
Machaeroides
ST 6; DX 13; IQ 3; HT 11.
HP 6; Will 11; Per 11; FP 11; Speed 6.00; Dodge 10; Move 8.
SM −2, 25 lbs.
Bite (15): 1d−3 impaling. Reach C.
Claw (15): 1d−3 cutting. Reach C.
Traits: Bad Sight (Low Resolution); Born Biter 1; Combat Reflexes; Discriminatory Smell; DR 1 (Tough Skin); Flexibility; Limited Camouflage; Night Vision 2; Quadruped; Striking ST 1; Wild Animal.
Skills: Brawling-15; Climbing-16; Stealth-13; Survival (Woodlands)-11; Tracking-15.
For Apataelurus (90 lbs.) increase ST and HP to 9, SM to 0, and Striking ST to 2 (1d−1 damage with bite or claw). For Diegoaelurus (16 lbs.) reduce ST and HP to 5, and remove DR and Striking ST (1d−4 damage with bite or claw).
Oxyaena
A wide-spread genus, known from Asia, Europe, and North America during the early Eocene. Resembling an otter or wolverine, it seems to have been a highly adaptable generalist, consuming carrion, fish, small animals, fruit, and roots. It was preceded in the same territory by the rather similar Palaeonictis, which lived from the late Palaeocene to the early Eocene.
Oxyaena
ST 7; DX 12; IQ 3; HT 11.
HP 7; Will 11; Per 11; FP 11; Speed 6.00; Dodge 10; Move 6.
SM −1, 40 lbs.
Bite or Claw (15): 1d−3 cutting. Reach C.
Traits: Bad Sight (Low Resolution); Born Biter 1; Discriminatory Smell; DR 1 (Tough Skin); Flexibility; Limited Camouflage; Night Vision 2; Quadruped; Striking ST 1; Wild Animal.
Skills: Brawling-14; Climbing-15; Stealth-12; Survival (Woodlands)-12; Swimming-12; Tracking-15.
Use the same profile for Palaeonictis.
Patriofelis
An early Eocene North American genus consisting of two species. P. ulta was a little larger than a lynx, while P. ferox was intermediate in size between a cougar and a lion. They had stiff spines, which would have made them sturdy but inflexible.
Patriofelis ferox by Charles R. Knight (1896)
Patriofelis ferox
ST 12; DX 10; IQ 3; HT 13.
HP 12; Will 11; Per 11; FP 13; Speed 6.00; Dodge 9; Move 6.
SM 0, 220 lbs.
Bite or Claw (12): 1d cutting. Reach C.
Traits: Bad Sight (Low Resolution); Born Biter 1; Discriminatory Smell; DR 1 (Tough Skin); Limited Camouflage; Night Vision 2; Quadruped; Striking ST 1; Wild Animal.
Skills: Brawling-12; Stealth-12; Survival (Woodlands)-12; Tracking-15.
For P. ulta (70 lbs.) reduce ST and HP to 8, SM to −1, and damage to 1d−2.
Sarkastodon
The largest known oxyaenid lived in East Asia during the middle Eocene. Known only from its skull, it is usually reconstructed as resembling a bear with short legs and a long tail. Unlike a bear, it was a hypercarnivore, eating only flesh. Its size suggests that it would find running difficult, so would have to rely on ambush and scavenging.
Sarkastodon
ST 24; DX 10; IQ 3; HT 12.
HP 24; Will 11; Per 11; FP 12; Speed 5.00; Dodge 8; Move 5.
SM +1 (3 hexes), 1,800 lbs.
Bite (12): 2d+3 cutting. Reach C.
Claw (12): 2d+2 cutting. Reach C-1.
Traits: Bad Sight (Low Resolution); Born Biter 1; Discriminatory Smell; DR 2 (Tough Skin); Flexibility; Limited Camouflage; Night Vision 2; Quadruped; Striking ST 1 (Bite Only); Wild Animal.
Skills: Brawling-12; Stealth-12; Survival (Woodlands)-12; Tracking-15.
