New Monster/Illustration of the Week: Dobarchú, Greater (Water Devil)

This one may seem a little familiar, as I've previously posted the smaller dobarchú to the blog before. Today's entry is for the larger variety, with updated/expanded stats (revised from the previous post) for the smaller variety. IMO, Neither of these is really "centerpiece" monster material, but both make nice additions to wandering monster charts in greener outdoor areas near lakes and ponds.

Dobharchú, Greater (Water Devil)

Oe/1E STATS FREQUENCY: Very Rare NO. APPEARING: 1-6 ARMOR CLASS: 4 MOVE: 9"//12" HIT DICE: 6 % IN LAIR: 30% TREASURE TYPE: C NO. OF ATTACKS: 3 DAMAGE/ATTACK: 2-12/2-12/3-18 SPECIAL ATTACKS: Nil SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard INTELLIGENCE: Low ALIGNMENT: Neutral (evil) SIZE: L (8-10' long) PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil Attack/Defense Modes: Nil

BX STATS ARMOR CLASS: 4 HIT DICE: 6 MOVE: 90' (120') ATTACKS: 2 claws/1 bite DAMAGE: 2-12/2-12/3-18 NO. APPEARING: 1-3 SAVE AS: Fighter: 4 MORALE: 9 (12 vs. humans) TREASURE TYPE: C ALIGNMENT: Neutral

DESCRIPTION

This larger variety of dobarchú ("water devils"), like the smaller variety ("water hounds"), are semi-aquatic mammals that resemble a cross between a dog and an otter with a fish-like mouth, that prefer to make their nests in or near freshwater rivers and lakes. Like the giant otter, giant dobarchu are prized for the pelts, even more so than giant otters, considering their comparable rarity and larger size.

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 3-4 greater dobharchú -- 2 adults, and 1-2 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. If a greater dobarchu nest is encountered, there is a 50% chance that nearby (within 100' radius) there will be 2-5 nests of lesser dobarchu (per the lesser dobarchu description for encounters in their lairs.)

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Dobharchú, Lesser (Water Hound)
Expanded/Revised Stats/Description

Oe/1E STATS FREQUENCY: Rare NO. APPEARING: 1 ARMOR CLASS: 5 MOVE: 12" HIT DICE: 3 % IN LAIR: 20% TREASURE TYPE: Nil NO. OF ATTACKS: 3 DAMAGE/ATTACK: 2-12/2-12/4-32 SPECIAL ATTACKS: Nil SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard INTELLIGENCE: Exceptional ALIGNMENT: Neutral (evil) SIZE: S (2-3' long) PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil Attack/Defense Modes: Nil

BX STATS ARMOR CLASS: 5 HIT DICE: 3 MOVE: 120' (180') ATTACKS: 2 claws/1 bite DAMAGE: 2-5/2-5/2-12 NO. APPEARING: 1-5 SAVE AS: Fighter: 2 MORALE: 7 (10 vs. humans) TREASURE TYPE: Nil ALIGNMENT: Neutral

DESCRIPTION

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, this smaller variety of dobarchu are often mistaken for standard otters, but are far from it, having the strength and ferocity of a much larger animal, and with a speed and temperament comparable to wolverines.

This variety of dobarchu has the same fondness for the taste of human flesh as the larger variety, will attack them specifically (in deference to other races) for food, and try to drown them to disable them, but their smaller size will sometimes prevent them from accomplishing the task, though their ferocity goes a long way.

If discovered in their lair, there will usually be 3-6 lesser dobharchú -- 2 adults, and 1-4 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.