Giant Molerat

Although wild in most other parts of the wasteland, the distinct lack of traditional domestic creatures has led to widespread taming of the species in the Great dust Bowl. Though many speculate as to the direct causes, they are not only more intelligent and responsive to humans, but have the potential to grow to truly abnormal sizes if properly cared for. Capable of digging temporary shelters, finding underground water springs, and serving as a mount, they are a highly coveted addition to any serious caravan.

Their life cycles are a bit more complicated than their cousins in the rest of the wasteland. Born normal enough in a litter of ten to twenty pups, they begin life in a pack mentality. Even well after breeding age little is discernibly different, however instead of beginning the descent into old age something curious happens around ten years of age.

Their bodies will begin to grow at exponential rates, though they are also growing more complex beneath the surface. There is a perfect time to try to tame one of these beasts, and it is right about this time when they leave their own kind to seek new stimulation for their advancing minds. If given proper care and attention, they will form a fierce bond with up to as many people as were in their pack as they grew up.

Living up to thirty years or maybe a bit longer, they grow from their typical size of two hundred pounds at ten years to roughly one ton at twenty years, and two tons at thirty. They stand at about three feet at the shoulder for this first cycle, six and a half feet by the second, and up to thirteen feet by the third. Though it is not unheard of for these animals to be tamed by humans, ghouls are the primary trainers in the Great Dust Bowl due to these long timeframes and specific conditions.

Giant Molerat Stats by Age

No matter what stage of life a giant molerat is in, they have the same special abilities as listed on page 348 of the core rulebook with the following changes as they grow in age and size. When replacing a brahmin with a giant molerat during character creation they will begin at this first stage of life, between ten and fifteen years of age at the discretion of your GM.

Note: These modifiers are not cumulative, a thirty year old molerat would have a total bonus of 20 HP to the stats in the book, (not 20 + 10 for being twenty before, and another + 5 for being ten).

10-15 years of age

• Carry Weight: 300 lbs

• Increase Body and Mind by one

• Increase HP by 5

• Increase Physical and Energy DR by one

• Increase Bite damage by 1cd

16-25 years of age

• Carry Weight: 600 lbs

• Increase Body and Mind by two

• Increase HP by 15

• Increase Physical and Energy DR by two

• Increase Bite damage by 3cd

• Increase Food and Water upkeep cost by 1 each, but lower grazing time to three-hour increments.

26-35 years of age

• Carry Weight: 1,200 lbs

• Increase Body and Mind by four

• Increase HP by 35

• Increase Physical and Energy DR by three

• Increase Bite damage by 5cd

• Increase Food and Water upkeep cost by 1 each, but lower grazing time to two-hour increments.

Brahmin/Giant Molerat Houserule

Producing milk and fertilizer, these beasts of burden are quite the valuable commodity in the Great Dust Bowl. Unfortunately they are also quite a lot to take care of, and require resources and time to maintain.

While giant molerats can be fed just about anything, brahmin themselves can only graze on organic plant matter. This provides quite the challenge when you consider nothing grows naturally inside the Great Dust Bowl.

Each animal requires 2 Food and 2 Water each day to maintain.

For every four hour period that a giant molerat is allowed to graze, you may reduce this cost by 1 Food and 1 Water. Unlike brahmin, they have no problems finding their own food in the barren wasteland by burrowing for water and hunting skinwigs.