Spiny Recluses «Deng Kheshes»

Reported By: John M. Maxstadt
Source: Dragon Magazine 108

Role: Monster
Base Stock: Giant saguaro cactus

MCC Stat Block: Deng Kheshes 'Spiny Recluses' (1d12 (6)): Init +3; atk see description; AC 14; HD 7D5 hp 21 each; NO MOVEMENT; 1d20; SV Fort +1, Ref -1, Will -1

Mutations: Chemical sense, mobility (variant), sonic blast, and thorns/spikes (variant)

Number Appearing: 1d12
Morale: 0
Hit Dice: HD 7D5
Armor: 4 (AC 14)
Size: Large 6m tall and 35cm in diameter

Movement: NO MOVEMENT

Attack: See Description

MS:

8

PS:

15

IN:

1

DX:

6

CH:

1

CN:

14

Frequency: Uncommon
Organization: Clusters
Activity Cycle: Day
Diet: Soil Nutrients
Habitat: North American deserts
Tech Level: 0 - 0
Artifacts: Unknown

Description (Initial Observations): Garrels are agile mam- mals of reasonable intelligence that have developed several special skills to foil predators. They are intensely curious beings, and they love to collect small pieces of both metal and plastic, espe- cially if they are shiny, have strange shapes, or are in some other way attrac- tive to the garrel. Because of this, gar- rels often unwittingly have one or two small artifacts in their possession, mak- ing them targets for treasure hunters(especially for Archivists). However, it is unlikely that the garrels need fear extinction at the hands of such as these.When not gathering food, a garrel is always on the lookout for new items to add to its collection. Anyone who camps in or near a forest inhabited by garrels can expect at least one of these creatures to be lurking nearby, just out of sight. The garrel will wait until it sees something attractive thats also unguarded. It will then use its teleport object ability to gain possession of the item and will then return to its lair, most often a hollow tree trunk or a small burrow, where the garrel will put the item with the others it has accumulated.If a garrel is attacked, either by a predator or by angry beings whose equipment has been borrowed,' its first reaction will be to flee, holding any treasures it has acquired for as long as it can, using its speed, agility, tree-climbing skills, and any available foliage to speed its escape. Garrels prefer forests with a thick blanket of undergrowth so that they can lose pursuit with a minimum of effort. During the chase, the garrel will trust its displacement ability to send it to safety if it is at any time in imminent danger of being killed.If displacement cannot be used, the garrel will then use its stunning force to buy time. Garrels are immune to the effects of another garrels stunning force attack. If both of the previous powers have been used and the garrel is still in danger, it will then attack its pursuer, biting with its sharp teeth and never relenting.

Reactions: No known interactions

Behavior: Behavior modeling incomplete

Repair and Healing: Behavior not recorded

Society: Anthropological studies incomplete