Ambush drakes are stealthy draconic predators. Although they are among the most bestial of dragon-kin, they are still cunning hunters and highly social among their own kind.
An ambush drake is smaller than other drakes, with four legs instead of two. Its compact, muscular body has a distinctly canine build. Its scales are gray over most of its body, with orange patches on its head and front limbs. The ambush drake’s wings are small and weak, affording it poor maneuverability in the air; the creatures prefer hunting prey down on foot for this reason.
As their name implies, ambush drakes stake out an area from hiding and then burst out of their cover when prey shows itself. They begin combat with their breath weapons, then focus their attacks on individuals who have been slowed. They favor rocky hills, where tumbled boulders grant them abundant hiding places.
Ambush drakes have a social structure similar to wolves, with an alpha of either gender (often with the advanced simple template) lording over a small pack of followers. They are vicious killers and enjoy toying with their prey before going in for the kill.
Ambush drakes are found across Gladia and the more mountainous islands of the Swirling Sea. They are especially reviled on Waster because they are the only predators that can threaten adult llamas. On Munab, they are hunted by the Jet-Spear stone giants. They are extinct on Cannehr, having been hunted and culled by the azkat.
Shores of Swords 