ARMOR CLASS: 5
MOVE: 12"//18"
HIT DICE: 3
% IN LAIR: 20%
TREASURE TYPE: Nil
ATTACKS: 3
DAMAGE: 2-5/2-5/2-12
ALIGNMENT: Neutral (evil)
SIZE: Small (2'-2'6" long)
These nasty creatures often described as "part dog and part fish," dobharchú are actually more akin to dogs and otters rather than fish, and range in color from dark brown to black. In fact, while swimming, they are often mistaken for standard otters, but are far from it, having the strength and ferocity of a much larger animal, and the speed and temperament of wolverines, only faster and more temperamental.
They have a particular taste for the flavor of humans, and will attack them specifically (in deference to other races) for food. They prefer to latch onto their prey with their clutching teeth, then drag a victim into the water until it suffocates, leaving the dobharchú with an inert feast to be devoured.
If discovered in their lair, there will usually be 3-5 dobharchú -- 2 adults, and 1-3 pups/young (40-60% grown.) If a human intruder is present, all will attack. If no human intruder is present, only the adults will attack, but the young will defend themselves.
Dire otter. :-)
ReplyDeleteA dire otter would definitely be a nastier version of this one. I probably should have listed size info for this one, since it's a "small animal" comparable to an actual otter or wolverine. For a dire version ("Dire Chú?"), I'd say double the hit dice and damage, but only multiply the speed by 1-1/2 (18"//27".) Now, whether it could be ridden or not (per the similar animal on the cover of Dragon Magazine 292, well... that remains to be seen.
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