Dire Shadowrat (3.5e Creature)

	Dire shadowrat
Size/Type:	Medium Magical Beast(Extraplanar)
Hit Dice:	d8+8 (26 hp)
Initiative:	+2
Speed:	60 ft. (12 squares), climb 30 ft.
Armor Class:	13(+2 Dex, +1 natural), touch 12, flat-footed 11
Base Attack/Grapple:	+3/+5
Attack:	Bite +5 (1d6+2 plus disease)
Full Attack:	Bite +5 (1d6+2 plus disease)
Space/Reach:	5ft./5ft.
Special Attacks:	Disease
Special Qualities:	Resistance to cold 9, Low-light vision, Darkvision 60ft., scent, Shadow Blend(Su), Evasion
Saves:	Fort +6, Ref +6, Will +2
Abilities:	Str 14, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 4
Skills:	Climb +11, Hide +7, Listen +3, Move Silently +10, Spot +3, Swim +11
Feats:	Alertness, Run, Mighty Steed(Knightly Order of Ansalon p.35)
Environment:	Plane of Shadow
Organization:	Mount
Challenge Rating:	3
Treasure:	None
Alignment:	Usually neutral
Advancement:	4–6 HD (Medium)
Level Adjustment:	-

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Bred as transports for thieves in and out of buildings, Dire shadowrats are loyal and fast moving giant rodents. Able to keep pace with light warhorses for short bursts, shadowrats are more useful for their ability to blend into the darkness around them and climb along walls. Shadowrat cavalry is better suited for infiltration allowing riders to attack from above and slip away under the cover of darkness. A dire shadowrat cannot fight while carrying a rider.

A Dire shadowrat can grow up to between 5 and 6 feet long and weigh roughly 80 pounds.

Combat

Disease (Ex): Filth fever—bite, Fortitude DC 11, incubation period 1d3 days, damage 1d3 Dex and 1d3 Con. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Shadow Blend (Su): In any conditions other than full daylight, a shadowrat can disappear into the shadows, giving it total concealment. Artificial illumination, even a light or continual flame spell, does not negate this ability, but a daylight spell will.

Skills: Dire shadowrats have a +8 racial bonus on Swim checks. Dire shadowrats have a +8 racial bonus on Climb checks and can always choose to take 10 on Climb checks, even if rushed or threatened. A dire shadowrat has a +6 racial bonus on Move Silently checks. Due to specialist rearing, dire shadowrats used as mounts may use either their own ranks in Hide and Move Silently (+5 and +4 respectfully) or the ranks of the rider, whichever is greater.

Dire shadowrats use their Dexterity modifier for Climb and Swim checks.

Training a Dire Shadowrat

Unlike other exotic mounts, riding a dire shadowrat requires a exotic military saddle due to the shadowrat's ability to climb walls and overhangs. If the saddle has been enchanted with the shadow armour ability(Dungeon Masters Guide page 219. Treat a saddle as barding for a medium creature) the benefit applies to the shadowrat, but also allows the rider the benefit of the shadowrat's 'Shadow Blend' ability.

Due to their stocky build and strong breeding, Dire Shadowrats can carry riders the same size as themselves, rather than being restricted to riders a size smaller than them as most mounts are.

Carrying Capacity: A light load for a dire shadow rat is up to 174 pounds; a medium load, 175-348 pounts; and a heavy load, 349-525 pounds. A dire shadow rat can drag 2,625 pounds.

Improving Dire Shadowrat mounts

Certain class features, such as a Paladin's Special mount or a Druid's animal companion, grant or improve a character's mount. Due to Dire Shadowrats being intended more for stealth than combat they progress differently when utilized by these classes.

If a class benefit provides a bonus to the mount's Strength, this bonus is instead applied to the Shadowrat's Dexterity.

If a class benefit improves the Mount's HD by 4 or more, the Dire Shadowrat gains either a +2 luck bonus on all saving throws, or Fast healing 2. All advancement in HD also improve the Shadowrat resistance to cold by 1 (to a maximum of 15)

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