Dire animal (Dungeons & Dragons)

In the Dungeons and Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Dire creatures are larger, tougher, meaner versions of regular animals. They fairly closely resemble their normal counterparts, only are slightly larger and uglier, and with a feral, prehistoric and even demonic countenance. Sharp, ugly, bony ridges protrude from their spines, limbs and head. Some say they are creatures that have been exposed to demonic energy or cursed by the gods, while others say they are regular creatures who have been experimented on by mad wizards.

The most common types of Dire creature are:

Dire ape Dire badger Dire bat Dire bear Dire boar Dire lion Dire rat Dire shark Dire tiger Dire weasel Dire wolf Dire wolverine

The Dire template can be combined with the Celestial creature or Fiendish creature templates, E.G... Fiendish Dire Weasel, Celestial Dire Badger, ETC...

Dire creatures cannot speak, still technically being animals.

Dire creatures are regarded as neutral in alignment.