Sorico

This large, tawny rodent has powerful forelimbs ending in spade-like claws. Sand and mud cakes the creature's fur.

Sorico (CR 1)

Small Animal
Alignment: Neutral
Initiative: +1
Senses: Low-Light Vision, Scent; Perception +6

Speed: 30 feet, Burrow 10 feet
Space: 5 feet

Defense

Armor Class: 12, touch 12, flat-footed 11 (+1 Dex, +1 size)
Hit Points: 13 (2d8+4)
Saving Throws: Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +2

Offense

Melee: bite +2 (1d4), 2 claws +2 (1d4)
Reach: 5 feet

Special Attacks: dust cloud

Statistics

Str	Dex	Con	Int	Wis	Cha
10 (+0)	13 (+1)	15 (+2)	2 (-4)	14 (+2)	7 (-2)

Base Attack Bonus: +1
CMB +0
CMD 11 (15 vs. Trip)

Feats: Great Fortitude

Skills: Perception +6, Stealth +9

Languages:

Special Abilities

Dust Cloud (Ex)

Three times per day as a move action, a sorico can shake loose a cloud of dust and sand from its coat that fills its space, providing concealment for 1 round. A light wind disperses this cloud immediately. Any creatures sharing a sorico's space when it uses this ability must succeed at a DC 13 Fortitude save or they become staggered for 1 round as they cough and sneeze. Creatures that don't breathe are immune to this effect. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Ecology

Environment: Any Deserts
Organization: solitary, pair, or warren (3-36)
Treasure: none


Also called dustshroud rabbits, soricos dig out warrens in the desert sands, where they remain protected from the elements and predators alike. These communal animals live in vast tunneling colonies like ants, each working endlessly to provide for the warren. They dig tunnels and burrows, shoring up the sides of the passages with sticky saliva that hardens into a temporary cement. Since they constantly toil in their warrens, their tawny fur collects fine dust and sand particles.

As an instinctive means of defense, soricos shake themselves violently, which loosens the sand and creates a distracting cloud of dust that allows them to escape from predators. Soricos measure 3 feet long, stand 2 feet tall, and weigh 100 pounds. Those who hunt soricos find their meat delicious, comparable to that of a farm-raised rabbit.

Sorico Companions

Starting Statistics: Size small; Speed 30 ft., burrow 10 ft.; Attack bite (1d4), 2 claws (1d4 Ability Scores Str 10, Dex 13, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 7; SQ low-light vision, scent.

4th-level Advancement: Size Medium; AC +2 natural armor; Attack bite (1d6), 2 claws (1d6 Ability Scores Str +4, Dex +2, Con +2; Special Attacks dust cloud.