Octhania Creatures
The following is a guide to some of the more unusual and exotic creatures of Octhania.
SPORG
CLIMATE/TERRAIN: Any land (Octhania)
FREQUENCY: Common
ORGANIZATION: Herd
ACTIVITY CYCLE: Day
DIET: Herbivore
INTELLIGENCE: Animal (1)
TREASURE: Nil
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
NO.
APPEARING: 1-20
ARMOR CLASS: 7
MOVEMENT: 12
HIT DICE: 2
THAC0: 20
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1d4
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Nil
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Nil
SIZE: Small (3’ long)
MORALE: Unreliable (2-4)
XP VALUE: 35
Sporg are a herd animal found generally in the Central Frontier of Octhania. They are somewhat like pigs, but slightly larger. Tame sporg tend to be fatter than their wild counterparts. They have mangy fur and males have small horns on their heads. Their tails are bushy at the end and their feet are hoofed. Their eye and fur color depends on the gender. Males always have green eyes and rust red fur. Females, however, have brown eyes and brown fur. The make an odd “gee” noise when content and a high-pitched squeal when agitated.
Combat: Sporg are generally a timid creature and not known to attack humans and demi-humans. Even wild ones run at the sight of larger creatures. When forced into a corner, male sporg may attempt to use their horns to head-butt. Otherwise, sporg almost always try to run away and hide, if possible. Sporg always travel in herds as a defense against predators.
Habitat/Society: Sporg are not particularly social creatures, at least when it comes to species other than its own. Their young tend to stay close to their mother until they are old enough to officially join the herd. When a sporg gives birth, it usually produces 5-6 offspring. Many sporg are tamed by halflings and kept in their breeding grounds until they are old enough to slaughter.
Ecology: Sporg are herbivores, and prefer grazing on grass or hay. Halflings often refer to the Sporg as “Valerdar’s Gift.” They are very tasty and easily domesticated animals. Not only that, but halflings have learned to use just about every part of the sporg. Their tails make great slings. Their bladders are used for making canteens, their hide makes decent leather, and their fur is used to make toothbrushes. Their livers and spleens have medicinal uses and their horns can be crafted into a form of ivory.CORAL
DRAKES
CLIMATE/TERRAIN: Shorelines (Only in Octhania)
FREQUENCY: Uncommon
ORGANIZATION: Familial Lair
ACTIVITY CYCLE: Day
DIET: Carnivore
INTELLIGENCE: Semi (2-4)
TREASURE: Nil
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
NO. APPEARING: 2-4
ARMOR CLASS: 5
MOVEMENT: 6, Sw 18
HIT DICE: 4
THAC0: 17
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1
DAMAGE/ATTACKS: 2d4
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Breath Weapon
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Nil
SIZE: S (4' long)
MORALE: Average (10)
XP VALUE: 175
There is a creature indigenous to Octhania known as Coral Drakes. They are small
(4' long) lizards that tend to be pinkish in color (much like coral). They are
excellent swimmers and can be found all over the shores of Octhania. It
has no wings, but does have a large horn protruding from its neck crest, which
is considered a very valuable accessory.
Combat: If a coral drake is disturbed, there is a 55% chance it will attack.
Its primary attack is its breath weapon, which is a jet of water. While that
might not sound too dangerous, the force of the water breath is that of a modern
day fire hose. If a person is hit with it, they must roll a breath weapon save.
If they fail, they are knocked backward several feet and take 1d4 damage. They
are also stunned for 1d2 rounds. Saving means they dodged most of it and just
got a bit wet.
A coral drake will also use its claws when necessary, which can cause 1d4 in
damage and its teeth cause 2d4. However, it only uses these in close range, and
saves it as a last resort.
Aside from its breath, the favored weapon of the coral drake is its tail. Its
long, scaly tail can be used as a whip, tripping and striking its enemies.
Anyone hit with it takes 1d6 damage and must succeed a DEX check or be tripped
or knocked down.
Habitant/Society: Coral drakes are familiar creatures, with a mated
male and female taking residence in a lair, which is generally a small cavelet
or rocky shelf under a ledge or outcropping. Usually six to eight eggs are
laid and tended by the pair, being kept warm by the ample bodies of the parents.
The eggs, laid in early summer, take about 60 days to hatch. They first
learn to swim after about 60 days from hatching.
Coral drakes gather no treasure, although they take no special care to remove
the bones or effects of any that they defeat.
Ecology: Coral drakes have a short lifespan compared to their
larger cousins, dragons, usually living only 75 to 100 years. Their horns
are extremely valuable. People, especially tourists, will pay huge sums of gold
for one, as they are very beautiful, rare, and said to bring good fortune to
those who possess them. Some nature conservationists worry the coral drake
is going to be hunted into extinction, but no action has been taken to prevent
this yet.
