Postfest V, Part III: Blink Camprat (Kund)
Date: Sun, September 11, 2005
Topic: Monsters of Greyhawk


Rodents are among the most reviled creatures in the world, coming in many shapes and sizes. Among their kind, the camprat has become the pest of pests. It is not surprising then that out of the Baklunish West, particularly Ull, a new and more formidable breed of camprat has literally blinked into existence.

Blink Camprat (Kund)
By: mortellan
Posted with permission. Do not repost without obtaining prior permission from the author.

Tiny Magical Beast
Hit Dice: 1/4 1d10 (2hp)
Initiative: +3 (+3 Dex)
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares), climb 30 ft., swim 15 ft, burrow 10 ft.
Armor Class: 15 (+2 size, +3 Dex), touch 15, flat-footed 12
Base Attack/Grapple: +0/-12
Attack: Bite +5 melee (1d6-4)
Space/Reach: 2-1/2 ft./0 ft.
Special Attacks: Gnaw
Special Qualities: Blink, low-light vision, scent, evasion
Saves: Fort +2, Ref +5, Will +2
Abilities: Str 2, Dex 17, Con 10, Int 8, Wis 14, Cha 2
Skills: Balance +11, Climb +14, Hide +16, Move Silently +11, Jump +11, Swim +7
Feats: Weapon Finesse (bite)
Climate/Terrain: Temperate barrens and plains
Organization: Pack (3-12) or Town (10-100)
Challenge Rating: 1/4
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always Neutral
Advancement: 1 HD (tiny)

Blink camprats are rodents of the same family as the Eastern Oerik camprat, common squirrels and prairie dogs. Besides being similar in coloration and appearance to prairie dogs, their smaller size and speed are akin to their squirrel cousins. Kund weigh two to three pounds and are nine to thirteen inches long, with a stubby black tails. Their fur is yellowish in color, with darker ears and a pale buff to white belly. Their front teeth are long and extremely sharp as is their tiny claws which are equally good for climbing and burrowing.

Generally harmless but overly voracious and tenacious when it comes to scavenging, the Kund species first appeared among mundane camprat “towns” on the western verges of the Plains of the Paynims. They are said to have migrated east ahead of the hordes of less intelligent prairie dogs whose populations could swell to the hundred of thousands. From there the Kund increased in number on their own, notably in the lowland regions of Ull and the northern Dry Steppes. How this species came to possess the ability to blink is cause for concern among sages, leading to speculation of arcane design or divine manipulation. Others try to link them incorrectly to blink dogs even though they are different species.

Kund are highly social rodents, traveling in small packs to effectively scavenge and then congregating in larger burrow towns during mating season. There is no organizational leader among Kund society with males and females being equal. Kund are omnivorous and will go to great lengths to sneak in and steal anything edible from other creatures. Their ability to climb, dig under or gnaw through any container makes them a threat to travelers and caravans as much as bandits.

COMBAT
Blink (Su): A blink camprat can blink as the spell cast by an 8th-level sorcerer, and can evoke or end the effect as a free action.
Gnaw (Ex): Like mundane camprats, Kund teeth constantly grow and they need to gnaw on things to keep them from growing too long, this practice also makes their teeth extremely sharp. As a full round action a blink camprat can ignore hardness in cloth, leather and wooden objects for purposes of breaking through.
Skills: Kund have a +4 racial bonus on Hide, Swim and Move Silently checks, and a +8 racial bonus on, Jump and Climb checks. A blink camprat can always choose to take 10 on Climb checks, even if rushed or threatened. A blink camprat uses its Dexterity instead of its Strength modifier for Climb and Swim checks.
Tactics: Kund are prone to flee rather than fight, using their skills, size and supernatural abilities to evade harm and get away with their food. Only when cornered will they try to bite with their sharp teeth. Despite this it is not uncommon for one Kund to pounce a predator as a distraction so the rest of the pack can scurry away to safety. Kund are clean unlike rats and do not transmit diseases when biting. Blink camprats also have a high-pitched, bark-like language that is used to identify various predators like hawks, coyotes, snakes and the equally voracious ogre.

Camprats first appeared in the Greyhawk Adventures, by James Ward (TSR 1988).






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