Savage Menagerie: Pozzum

No. Enc.: 1d3 (1d6)
Alignment: Neutral
Movement: 90' (30')
Armor Class: 6
Hit Dice: 2
Attacks: 1 (claw, tail, or bite)
Damage: 1d4, 1d6, 1d6
Save: L2
Morale: 9
Hoard Class: II

The pozzum (pronounced pah-zum) is a nocturnal tree-dwelling marsupial that evolved from the North American opossum. It is covered in grey or brown fur and is about the size of a large housecat. The pozzum is usually easily identified by its glowing red eyes - a lingering effect of its thermal vision mutation - and its incredibly long prehensile tail - about 3 feet in length. The tail is primarily used to hang from tree branches while sleeping. However, the pozzum can also use it as a weapon as described below.

The pozzums of the Mutant Future are carnivores that hunt and attack prey at night. Using its thermal vision, the pozzum tries to find a victim that is sleeping. It then will sneak up on its prey and wrap its prehensile tail around its throat, hoping to strangle the victim as they sleep. Once a victim is strangled, it will let loose a shriek that will call other pozzums in its clan to feed.

If a pozzum is forced to fight, it will attempt to claw for 1d4 hp of damage. In combat, it can also use its tail as a whip for 1d6 hp damage. However, it's best to try not to be bitten by a pozzum since they have evolved a venomous bite. If a PC is bitten, they will take 1d6 hp of damage then should roll a save versus poison. If the save fails, the victim will drop into unconsciousness for 2d4 rounds. (In Mutant Future slang, if someone is sleeping, they are said to have been "playing with a pozzum" or just "playing pozzum.")

Pozzums are attracted to bright, shiny objects and will collect them when they find any, so a pozzum's lair may have a few coins tucked away inside.

Mutations: prehensile tail, thermal vision, toxic weapon