Starfinder: Bog Rat
Bog Rat Combatant CR 1 XP 400
Neutral medium animal
Init +3; Senses: Low-light vision 60 ft.; Perception +5
Defense HP 20
EAC: 11; KAC: 13
Fort: +5; Ref: +5; Will: +1
Offense
Speed: 30 ft.
Melee: Bite +8 (1d4+4 P Crit bleed 1d3), or one claw +8 (2d4+4 S), or two claws +4 (2d4+4 S)
Space: 5 ft., Reach: 5 ft.
Offensive Abilities: Drag under
Statistics
Str +3; Dex +3; Con +1; Int -4; Wis +0; Cha +0
Skills: Athletics +5, stealth +10
Feats: Improved combat maneuver (grapple)
Other Abilities: Burrow
Languages: None
Ecology
Environment: Any temperate or tropical wet-lands, bogs, marsh, swamp
Organization: Solitary, pairs, small hunting packs (1d4+3), or large hunting packs (3d4+6)
Special Abilities
Burrow (Ex): As a full round action, the creature can burrow into the ground, causing it to disappear from sight. Only specific senses such as Blindsense or Sight (vibration or life) will be able to pinpoint exactly where the creature is when it uses this ability. It can move its full movement rate and come up at any location, and the target is allowed a perception check (DC 12). If the perception check fails, the creature will cause the target it is attempting to ambush to be flat-footed.
Drag under (Ex): the creature, as a standard action, can attempt to bite and grab a target. This requires a melee attack at the targets KAC +4. If it succeeds, the target automatically takes the bite damage, and must then make a Ref save (DC 12), or be pulled into the ground. Any target pulled into the ground is considered prone, and remains as such until either an acrobatics check (escape artist) or Strength check (both DC 12) succeed.
These predatory creatures can be found in or around swamps and other wetlands. They are approximately 5 feet in length, and weigh around a hundred pounds. The creatures have a sickly-pale flesh tone, which varies from light tan to dark brown. They have four legs, each tipped with incredibly strong claws, which can be used for combat or for burrowing in the loose soil and bogs of their native homes. They have small mouths with catfish-like feelers, and a single large eye.
They live together in small hunting packs, typically feeding off smaller animals and fish that are abundant in the swamps. If they are found alone, or even in pairs, they are usually scouting for the main host. They are also the staple food for other species, such as the Oggdo, as well as large snakes or reptiles that inhabit most swamps
They can fight alone, or in a pack. Strangely enough, they seem to be utterly fearless, and will take on creatures much larget than themselves, even when they are alone, taking full advantage of their ability to burrow and ‘sneak-up’ on potential prey. And although only of animal intelligence, these creatures understand the advantage of using flanking, and will do whatever they can to ‘drag under’ any prey they come across, making it much easier for the rest of the pack to close in and finish the target off.
Communities in the wetlands consider these creatures to be a major nuisance, and often pay hefty bounties to exterminate packs. Although typically disgusting to look at, these creatures often are a staple part of the swamp-dwellers diet.
Chris Van Deelen is the creator and contributor to over half of the Wisdom from the Wastelands series, contributor to the Swords of Kos: Hekaton anthology, and the recently released 'Swords of Kos: The Rite'. He also wrote Creatures of the Tropical Wastelands, and 100 Oddities found in a Car. As prolific as he is, Chris Van Deelen continues to write and produce material which will be in publication soon. Not only is he a prolific content creator, he also has a wide selection of fiction and stories! If you like his work, please follow his personal author page on Facebook and on Twitter to keep up with his latest news and game content.
