Day Twenty-seven -- Hydrochoer

We've been having some intense storms sweep through the area, and our internet connection has been spotty the past few days. For Day 27 the first roll is a 97, for a verminous creature. It's a slightly venemous (89), rodent (larger than cats)(83), that is amphibious, nesting in the water but coming out to hunt on land.

A little quick googling for information on large rodents reveals that the latin name for capybara is hydrochoerus, which means water hog. I think we've just found the name of our vermin.

Hydrochoer
 # Enc.: 1d6 (2d6)
Alignment: Neutral
Movement: 90' (30')
AC: 7
HD: 1
Attacks: 1 bite
Damage: 1d4 + poison
Save: NM
Morale: 8
Hoard Class: VI
XP: 13

Amphibious rodents larger than cats, hydrochoers nest in still underwater grottoes, both in the wilderness and in dungeons, venturing onto land to hunt. They are attracted to shiny things, which are brought back to their nests, but it is often difficult to retrieve the treasures of hydrochoers, both because they lair underwater and often in tight spots that creatures larger than them find difficult to access.

Hydrochoers attack by swarming their prey and biting them with their large teeth. A living creature bitten by a hydrocchoer must make a Save v. Poison. Those failing are nauseated for 1d4 turns after being bitten, suffering a -2 penalty to all rolls and having a movement reduced by 10' per round. The penalties are not cumulative. Hydrochoers fear fire, and being in the presence of any fire larger than a torch forces an immediate morale check. Their favorite tactic is to swarm their prey, biting as many as possible, and then retreating to shadow their victims, picking off those who are already affected and moving more slowly.

There is a sub-species of the hydrochoer that dwells in salt or brackish water. They are identical statistically to the normal version, except they have 1+1 HD and a morale of 9.