Dire Rat (3.5e Monster)

Author: Aarnott (talk) Date Created: 18:49, 17 August 2011 (UTC) Status: Working away Editing: Clarity edits only please

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Note

You may be looking for the Dire Rat from the SRD instead.

This monster is balanced to fit in a rogue level game. I have taken the liberty of not using the standard D&D rules for determining various statistics for this monster. As a result, it may seem a bit stronger (or weaker) than some SRD monsters of the same CR and that is fine. I think it will pose an appropriate challenge for rogue-level characters of its CR.

Dire Rat

Dire Rat

CR 1/2

	N Small Animal
Init/Senses	+3/Low-light vision, scent; Listen +4, Spot +4
AC	15, touch 14, flat-footed 13
hp	14 (1/2 HD)
Fort/Ref/Will	+3/+4/+2
Speed	30 ft. (6 squares), climb 20 ft. (4 squares)
Melee	+5 Bite (1d4 + Filth Fever)
Space/Reach	5 ft./5 ft.
Base Atk/Grp	+0/-1
Atk Options	Filth Fever
Abilities	Str 10, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 4
Skills	Swim +4, Climb +4, Hide +6*, Move Silently +6
Advancement	—
Filth Fever (Ex)	Dire rats' teeth are dripping with infectious pus. A single bite will cause an instant reaction to even the toughest warriors. Filth fever is a disease and its effects are noted below. When the dire rat hits with a bite attack, you must make a fortitude save DC 13 or else take 3 damage, reduce your max hp by 3 points (this is not additional damage), take a -2 penalty to your attack rolls and DCs of your abilities, and contract Stage 1 of the disease. Each day you carry filth fever, you must make a fortitude save DC 13 + the stage of the disease you are in, or else you progress to the next stage of the disease. A success by 5 or more reduces the disease by 1 stage. Bed rest reduces the DC by 2 and a heal check can be substituted for the saving throw in the case of long-term care. Stage 1: You develop an infectious pus pocket on your skin, which is extremely painful. You break out into a mild fever. You take a -2 penalty to attack rolls and DCs of their abilities until the disease is cured. In addition,your maximum hitpoints are reduced by 3. Stage 2: The infection has spread rashes all over your body and your skin is extremely fragile, tearing easily. Your fever becomes quite severe, accompanied by strong migraines. You take a -2 penalty to your AC, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. Your maximum hitpoints are reduced by a further 2 points per HD you have. Stage 3: The white boils where the infection began have turned to necrotic tissue. The pus pockets burst occasionally, leaving a slimy residue all over your body. Your maximum hitpoints are reduced by a further 2 points per HD you have. The disease is actively contagious during this stage. Any creature that tends to you or is in close proximity for extended periods of time must make a saving throw or contract Stage 1 of the disease themselves. Stage 4: On entering this stage, you lose a random limb to the necrotic tissues. A leg reduces your base speed by 10 ft. An arm has the expected effect of forcing you to lose one of your weapon/shield slots (for lack of a better term). Stage 5: You die.

Dire rats are omnivorous scavengers, but will attack to defend their nests and territories.

A dire rat can grow to be up to 4 feet long and weigh over 50 pounds.

Strategies and Tactics

Dire rat packs attack fearlessly, biting and chewing with their sharp incisors.

Dire rats carry a very dangerous disease: filth fever, which can kill even a strong man in a matter of days and has immediate consequences. They are smart enough to try to spread disease to as many enemies as they can. By doing this, the rats often scare off predators with the immediately painful disease effects and can sometimes even follow their would be predator and wait for it to slowly die before feeding on its diseased carcass.

Treasure

A dire wolverine liver has an incredible healing rate that, when consumed, can imbue its healing on a creature. The creature gains the benefits of Lesser Vigor per piece of liver consumed (CL 1). A dire wolverine's liver has enough pieces for 15 uses.

A dire wolverine liver is valued at 750 gp on the open market (50 gp per piece).

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