NEW MONSTER: YELLOW RATKIN

YELLOW RATKIN

FREQUENCY: Rare

NO. APPEARING: 2-5

ARMOR CLASS: 6

MOVE: 12”//6”

HIT DICE: 2+1

% IN LAIR: Nil

TREASURE TYPE: Nil

NO. OF ATTACKS: 3

DAMAGE/ ATTACK: 1-2/1-2/2-5

SPECIAL ATTACKS: Nil

SPECIAL DEFENSES: Phase, limited spell immunity

MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard

SAVE: Fighter 2

INTELLIGENCE: Semi-

ALIGNMENT: Chaotic evil

SIZE: S

PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil

LEVEL/ X.P. VALUE: III/ 50 + 3/hp

Scholars and sages, at least those who concern themselves with such distasteful subjects as these creatures, believe that yellow ratkin are only quasi-real phenomena who appear spontaneously near lairs of brown ratkin and attack the brown ones with the ferocity of homicidal insanity. This does not mean they limit themselves to attacking brown ratkin, however, as they will aggressively tear to pieces any creature they encounter. In the case where they meet a mixed group of brown ratkin and other creatures they will preferentially attack the ratkin.

Their origin is profoundly unclear. Some hold that they are plagues upon brown ratkin, created by ancient gods to bring revenge for a past slight. Others believe that brown ratkin are themselves unnatural or alien, and that yellow ratkin are generated by reality itself to eliminate them just as a body produces antibodies to fight disease.

Dure to their transient nature, yellow ratkin occasionally phase out of reality during times of high stress, such as combat. Roll a 1d6 for each yellow ratkin each combat round. One a '1', they have temporarily lost existence for that round, cannot be attacked, and themselves cannot attack. They will usually, 90% of the time, reappear the next round. If slain, yellow ratkin pop out of existence, as if they were never there in the first place.

Silver weapons do double damage to yellow ratkin. The minds of these creatures naturally resist such compulsions as sleep, charm, or hold spells and they are completely immune to such magic. On the other hand, they have no special connection to or ability to communicate with normal rats, who avoid them. Wererats will slaughter yellow ratkin on sight.

Yellow ratkin appear very similar to brown ratkin, but are usually leaner and, of course, have dull yellow fur. Eyes are black with white pupils and tails are pale grey.