Savage Menagerie: Qoyl

No. Enc.: 2d6 (2d6)
Alignment: Neutral
Movement: 60’ (20’)
Armor Class: 8
Hit Dice: 2
Attacks: 1 (bite or claw)
Damage: 1d2, 1d4
Save: L1
Morale: 4
Horde Class: None

A qoyl (pronounced COIL) is a mutated, mole-like rodent with short black fur that feels greasy and slick to the touch. Qoyls are considered an offshoot of the quench (MF rulebook, pg. 90). However, whereas a quench purifies and retains water, these creatures purify and retain petroleum products—primarily gasoline.

Qoyls feed on any kind of crude petroleum: oil, kerosene, diesel, etc. Qoyl colonies are often found in places where an abundance of petroleum may be found: abandoned gas stations, petroleum refineries, oil derricks, etc. Just like a quench, a qoyl stores the consumed oil, converting it to a pure gasoline-like liquid that can be safely run in any internal combustion engine. A bloated qoyl is all but immobile, holding about 1 gallon of gasoline that can be safely squeezed out of the creature. About 50% of any nest of qoyls will be completely full of fuel in this way. Qoyls are highly valued in larger villages and towns for their value as a fuel source and “nature’s refinery.”

One particular danger: If a bloated qoyl feels threatened, it can spray the retained fuel at an attacker much like a skunk sprays its musk. If the hit is successful, the fuel gets into the eyes of the attacker, blinding him for 3d10 turns or until the eyes can be flushed out with water. However, if the sprayed character has an open flame (a lit torch, a cigarette, etc.), the sprayed fuel will instead explode for 5d6 damage to all within 25 feet of the blast. A qoyl will spray its retained fuel only if it feels its life is in danger.

Mutations: None