Mythic Monster Monday: Rats of Unusual Size

By Andrew Hoskins

Mythic Dire Rat

Standing on its hind legs, this immense rodent is almost as tall as a man. Long yellow teeth protrude from its mouth, while its eyes twinkle with a cunning malevolence.

MYTHIC DIRE RAT            CR 2/MR 2

XP 600

N Medium animal (mythic)

Init +2; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +4

DEFENSE

AC14, touch 12, flat-footed 12 (+2 Dex, +2 natural)

hp29 (2d8+20)

Fort +5, Ref +5, Will +1

OFFENSE

Speed50 ft., climb 30 ft., swim 30 ft.

Melee bite +4 (1d6+3 plus disease), 2 claws +4 (1d4+3)

Special Attacks disease, mythic power (2/day, surge+1d6), tackle

STATISTICS

Str16, Dex15, Con15, Int2, Wis13, Cha 4

Base Atk +1; CMB +4; CMD16 (20 vs. trip)

Feats Jumper, Skill Focus (Perception)

Skills Acrobatics +7 (+15 jumping), Climb +11, Perception +4, Stealth +6, Swim +11

ECOLOGY

Environment any

Organization solitary, pair, or pack (3-20)

Treasure none

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Disease (Ex)Mythic filth fever-injury; save Fort DC 13; onset 1d3 days; frequency 1/day; effect 1d3 Dex damage and 1d3 Con damage; cure 2 consecutive saves.
 If a creature exposed to mythic filth fever fails their save 3 times in a row, they become a carrier. They no longer suffer additional damage from the disease, nor do they make additional saving throws against the disease. However, they cannot recover from any ability damage until the disease is magically removed, and they take a -4 penalty on all Charisma based skill and ability checks. Additionally, each creature they interact with must succeed on a Fortitude save or become diseased. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Tackle (Ex)When a mythic dire rat makes a charge attack, it may attempt an acrobatics check to leap on its target; the DC is equal to the distance to its target. If successful, the mythic dire rat may ignore difficult terrain and creatures smaller than itself during the charge. As part of the charge, it may perform a trip maneuver, grapple maneuver and bite attack, in that order. The mythic dire rat does not provoke attacks of opportunity with a successful tackle. If it fails the acrobatics check, it moves as far as possible based on the result of the jump check.

Unusually larger than their cousins, mythic dire rats are known to be much more aggressive and direct about hunting sources of food. They rely on brute force more than scavenging, but they still attempt to sneak up on unsuspecting prey. Though smaller rats are often found in urban areas, this variety can be found in almost any climate, having learned to hunt for their food instead of infesting garbage dumps and sewers.

They live 10 to 20 years, and can grow up to 6 feet long. Their rarity prevents them from finding a mate, but when they do, they can quickly breed a pack of diseased rats in a few short months. These larger groups will often hunt larger game, similar to a pack of hyenas.

Because of the contagions they carry, many municipalities will raise a militia or hire adventurers to slay the beasts before their plague-ridden bites create an epidemic that healers cannot contain.