Shadow Rat, Dire

This creature appears as a rat with rotting flesh, torn and matted fur, and reddish blazing eyes. Its semi-translucent skin shows discolored bones and muscles.

Shadow Rat, Dire (CR 1)

Small Undead
Alignment: Neutral
Initiative: +3
Senses: Darkvision 60 feet, Scent; Perception +8

Speed: 40 feet, Climb 20 feet
Space: 5 feet

Defense

Armor Class: 16, touch 14, flat-footed 13 (+3 Dex, +2 natural, +1 size)
Hit Points: 7 (1d8+3)
Saving Throws: Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +3
Incorporeal form, shadow blend
Immunity: undead traits

Offense

Melee: bite +4 (1d4 plus 1d3 Strength damage plus disease)
Reach: 5 feet

Special Attacks: disease (DC 13)

Statistics

Str	Dex	Con	Int	Wis	Cha
10 (+0)	17 (+3)	-	2 (-4)	12 (+1)	16 (+3)

Base Attack Bonus: +0
CMB -1
CMD 12 (16 vs. Trip)

Feats: Skill Focus (Perception), Weapon Finesse

Skills: Acrobatics +3 (+7 jump), Climb +8, Perception +8, Stealth +11

• Racial Modifiers: +4 Stealth

Languages:

Special Abilities

Disease (Ex)

Filth fever: Bite-injury; save Fort DC 11; onset 1d3 days, frequency 1/day; effect 1d3 Dex damage and 1d3 Con damage; cure 2 consecutive saves. The save DC is Charisma-based.

Incorporeal Form (Su)

A shadow rat can, as a standard action, assume an incorporeal form for up to 1 hour per day. In this form, the shadow rat loses its natural AC bonus but gains a +2 deflection bonus to AC. While in this form, the shadow rat is AC 16 (+2 deflection, +2 Dex, +2 size), touch 15, flat-footed 13. The shadow rat can still attack corporeal opponents while in its incorporeal form, but its attack only inflicts

Strength

damage and cannot cause physical damage. The shadow rat gains the incorporeal subtype while using this ability.

Shadow Blend (Ex)

A shadow rat can disappear into the shadows as a move action, gaining total concealment in all levels of illumination save bright light.

Strength Damage (Su)

A shadow rat deals Strength damage to living foes it bites. A creature reduced to 0 Strength cannot move but does not die-at least, not until the shadow rat's physical damage takes its toll.

Ecology

Environment: Underground
Organization: solitary or pack (6-11)
Treasure: none


Shadow rats are undead rats that can assume an incorporeal form. Other than their semi-translucent form (which they maintain regardless of their incorporeality or not), they resemble their earthly counterparts in all respects.

Shadow rats attack relentlessly with their bite attack. Unlike normal shadows, shadow rats do not create spawn.

Copyright Notice Authors Clark Peterson and Scott Greene.