Rockfang
by Jamie BatyGAZ8 66
Large Aberration
Hit Dice: 5d8+5 (27 hp)
Initiative: +0
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares), burrow 5 ft. (1 square), climb 15 ft. (3 squares)
Armour Class: 19 (-1 size, +10 natural), touch 9, flat-footed 19
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+12
Attack: Tail +7 melee (2d6 +5)
Full Attack: 2 Tail +7 melee (2d6 +5) and bite +2 melee (1d4 +2) and 2 claw +2 melee (1d2 +2)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft. (15ft with tail)
Special Attacks: Blinding tail strike
Special Qualities: Coat of rubble, darkvision 60ft., silent moves
Saves: Fort +2, Ref +1, Will +7
Abilities: Str 20, Dex 10, Con 13, Int 13, Wis 17, Cha 17
Skills: Climb +13, Hide +4*, Listen +9, Move Silently +30, Spot +9, Survival +7
Feats: Cleave, Power Attack
Environment: Any land
Organisation: Solitary, or Pair
Challenge Rating: 3
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral evil
Advancement: 6-10 HD (Large); 11-15 HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment: -
This strange creature of the Five Shires claims many unwitting victims. Solitary and virtually silent, the rubbery-bodied rockfang resembles a gigantic tadpole in form. Its main body is blob-like with to small arms ending in claws. It can grow temporary probes to aid it in climbing and in grasping rocks. Its long, elastic tail ends in a saw-edged, pointed stabbing hook of bone, like a scorpion's sting. The rockfang can wield this with great speed, dexterity and strength. The tail is also used to climb and to dig.
Rockfangs are mottled dun, ochre, and grey in colour, the dominant hue varying from individual to individual. They may be found anywhere in the Shires, although they are rare in settled areas because the hin slay them on sight.
Rockfangs live on carrion, certain roots and leaves, and creatures of all sizes that they can slay by fang or by pit trap. Foresters, miners, climbers and other creatures disturbing them will most certainly be attacked.
Rockfangs gained their name from their habit of drawing rocks onto their bodies with their tails and by burrowing beneath, and then exuding a strong glue. This coats them with a rocky rubble that acts as protection and camouflage at the expense on mobility. They may release the rubble coat as needed.
Rockfangs possess a cruel intelligence, but are not "knowledgeable" of most things. They do not speak any language, and may not even be capable of speech. They do seem to understand Common, not that they bother to listen to the speaker.
Combat
Rockfangs are adept at hiding and ambushing foes. They will likely dig out a number of pit traps in their lair to snare intruders. They are foul-tempered, attacking anything that disturbs them. Their tail is their primary weapon, as their bite and claws are relatively weak.
Blinding Tail Strike (Ex): A rockfang can strike very quickly with its tail. When taking a full attack, it may strike twice with its tail attack.
Coat of Rubble (Ex): Rockfangs normally partially coat themselves in rubble. Occasionally they forego this rubble coat to increase their mobility. A rockfang can remove the rubble as a standard action. A rockfang not coated in rubble has its natural AC decreased to +4, suffers from a -8 penalty to hide checks, gains +4 Dexterity, and gains +10 ft movement.
Silent Moves (Ex): A rockfang moves in virtual silence, and has a +30 bonus to all Move Silently checks (included above).
Skills: Rockfangs have a +8 racial bonus on climb checks. A rockfang can always choose to take 10 on Climb checks, even if rushed or threatened. *A rockfang has a +8 bonus to all Hide checks made in rocky or underground areas.