CAMPAIGN CLASSICS: THE LESSER TARRASQUE

LESSER TARRASQUE 

FREQUENCY: Rare
NO. APPEARING: 1
ARMOR CLASS: 0
MOVE: 8" (+3" rush)
HIT DICE: 8
%IN LAIR:  20%
TREASURE TYPE: F
NO. OF ATTACKS: 5
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-6/1-6/
1-12/16-25/1-10
SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below
SPECIAL DEFENSE: See below
MAGIC RESISTANCE: 
50% bolts and rays only
INTELLIGENCE: Animal
ALIGNMENT:Neutral
SIZE: L (25' long)
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil
Attack/Defense Modes:
Nil/nil
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE: VIII/1550 + 10

The lesser tarrasques are not as legendary as their unique namesake. Sometimes they are mistaken as such and attract monsters (including "men") of low intelligence in its proximity who will sacrifice to one as a living god.

Like their feared namesake, they have similar attacks although of lesser bent. Vicious claws (1-6 dmg), tail lash(1-12 dmg), razor sharp bite (1D10+15 dmg) and a rushing attack with horns (1-10 dmg altogether). The bite is not as devastating but it does more with damage.  The carapace is tough but only benefits a 50% magic resistance against rays and bolt type magic. The lesser tarrasque does not regenerate tactically. It will heal all its hit points in one night of rest and it can restore limbs if held to the stump in two turns.

 Like the tarrasque the lesser tarrasque are also hungry things but they have no dormant state so if they do not feed in a few days they rampage. Smashing through villages without regard for food until their rage subsides (20 turns). Once calm they will begin consuming all organic matter. After consuming all in sight, they will go into a bloated torpor under a lake. Lakes that have hosted lesser tarrasque become stagnant and some even poisonous (50% chance Type A insinuitive).

Upon its death the remains of its underbelly are turned into a metal of a quality that just reaches the properties of meteoric iron (+3). It is known among sages of the physical universe as "inferior tarascium" and has a value of 5 in encumbrance gp weight.  The remains yield  5 to 10 in encumbrance gp weight which can make 1 to 2 shields. The hard carapace on its back when rendered down yields 10-100 poor quality diamonds (base value 500 gp).

Some lesser tarrasque have been used as mounts by powerful adventurers but this takes up to a year to break one in under the heaviest attention and they must never have been ridden before. They can be raised from birth and will bond with one rider for life but will never take another. Their eggs have a market value of 10,000 gp.

Unlike the tarrasque, the lesser tarrasque are quadrupeds. However they have some ability to manipulate things in their forepaws. They have an affinity at opening doors and manipulating objects of simple complexity. They only cohabit the same space briefly to breed burying their eggs deep in underground ravine wall cracks. When they hatch they go in opposite directions.

Description: They have a lion-like mane of green and are covered in silvery scales.

COPYRIGHT 2016 GENE WEIGEL