Giant Rat (Apath)

This great rat is the size of a pony, but moves with the skittering speed of other rats. Its paws and underside are bald, making it look vaguely humanoid as it sits up.

Dire Rat CR 1

XP 400

N Medium animal

Init +3; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +5

DEFENSE

AC 14, touch 14, flat-footed 11 (+3 Dex, +1 size)

hp 19 (3d8+6)

Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +2

OFFENSE

Speed 40 ft., climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft.

Melee bite +3 (1d6+1 plus disease)

Special Attacks disease

STATISTICS

Str 12, Dex 17, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 8

Base Atk +2; CMB +3; CMD 16 (20 vs. trip)

Feats Skill Focus (Perception)

Skills Climb +9, Perception +5, Stealth +7, Swim +13

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Disease (Ex)

Filth fever: Bite—injury; save Fort DC 13; onset 1d3 days; frequency 1/day; effect 1d3 Dex damage and 1d3 Con damage; cure 2 consecutive saves. The save DC is Constitution-based.

ECOLOGY

Environment any urban and caverns

Organization solitary, pair (2), pack (2–10), or colony (1-6 giant rats, 0-20 dire rats and 100-1,000 rats).

Treasure none

Giant rats grow up to 5 feet long plus a proportionally short tail of 3 ft. and weigh up to 150 pounds. They often share habitat with both normal and dire rats, taking an alpha role. They are more territorial than normal rats, and inspires other rats to defend their territory as well, without actually being at the front. Killing the giant rat usually sends such a group scurrying.