Savage Menagerie: Wuudchak

No. Enc.: 1d4 (2d10)
Alignment: Lawful
Movement: 120' (40')
Armor Class: 7
Hit Dice: 5
Attacks: 1 (bite or weapon)
Damage: 1d4 or per weapon type
Save: L4
Morale: 10
Horde Class: XX

The Wuudchak is a short (2-3 feet tall), furry bipedal humanoid descended from the Ancient animal species of groundhog (AKA whistle-pig and woodchuck, which is the basis for its Mutant Future moniker). Wuudchaks are as intelligent and clever as any normal human and are capable of speech, tool usage, etc. However Wuudchaks are also highly aggatated and nervous, often acting without thinking their actions through. They do not trust outsiders at all, having been hunted to near-extinction for food during the period after the Ancient wars. Although of Lawful alignment, Wuudchaks are angry and suspicious creatures by nature, quick to leap to the wrong conclusions.

Wuudchaks live in large underground colonies, usually identified by a large mound of earth surrounding the entrance to the warren. Due to the size of the builders, Wuudchaks colonies are inaccessible to all but the smallest of PCs. Due to their mistrust of strangers, Wuudchaks will leap to the defense of the colony and of other Wuudchaks if they feel threatened. (It's not unusual for a PC to stumble across a single Wuudchak who panics, calling 12 others to his side who immediately attack.) It's best to treat all Wuudchaks as potential combatants.

Wuudchaks have developed the ability to control weather, bringing down rain, thunder, and lightning when threatened. (They are particularly fond of starting blinding snowstorms - an ability they say they inherited from their groundhog ancestors.) Wuudchaks are also able to release an ear-piercing shriek once per day, inflicting 1d4 points of sonic damage as well as deafening the victim for 1d6+4 rounds. A Wuudchak shriek will also signal every other Wuudchak within hearing range that there is trouble, and they will come running.

It is possible to gain the trust and respect of a Wuudchak, but the PC would have to perform some act that benefits the entire warren, i.e. saving it from destruction or providing food/water to all within the colony. Even then, the Wuudchak will shy away from any close bonds of friendship. But if a PC does gain that trust, then they will be viewed as a member of the warren, and they can then call upon their Wuudchak "family" for aid and assistance.

Mutations: shriek, control weather

NOTE: This creature is in honor of February 2 in the U.S. Happy Groundhog Day!