Roleplaying
Originally Posted by
Shade of the En World forums.
| Dicynodont, Diictodon | |
| Tiny Animal | |
| Hit Dice | 1d8+1 (5 hp) |
| Initiative | +1 |
| Speed | 15 ft. (3 squares), burrow 10 ft. |
| Armor Class | 13 (+2 size, +1 Dex), touch 13, flat-footed 12 |
| Base Attack/Grapple | +0/-11 |
| Attack | Bite +3 melee (1d3-3) |
| Full Attack | Bite +3 melee (1d3-3) |
| Space/Reach | 2-1/2 ft./0 ft. |
| Special Attacks | — |
| Special Qualities | Arid adaptation, low-light vision, scent |
| Saves | Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +1 |
| Abilities | Str 5, Dex 12, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 4 |
| Skills | Hide +9, Listen +5, Spot +5, Survival +9 |
| Feats | Alertness, Weapon Finesse (B) |
| Environment | Temperate or warm deserts |
| Organization | Solitary or pair |
| Challenge Rating | 1/4 |
| Treasure | None |
| Alignment | Always neutral |
| Advancement | 2 HD (Tiny), 3 HD (Small) |
| Level Adjustment | — |
This little creature looks a bit like a gopher with a parrot's head, though its legs are splayed out like a reptile's. A pair of small fangs is situated directly behind its beak.
Diictodon is a dicynodont, an herbivorous therapsid (“mammal-like reptile”). Dicynodonts are characterized by their parrot-like beaks, two tusks in the upper jaw, and barrel-shaped bodies with splayed legs. The diictodon is one of the most abundant of all dicynodonts.
Diictodons are burrowing animals, similar to modern gophers. A mated pair of diictodons shares one burrow. Diictodons commonly make burrows near seasonal floodplains, where food is more abundant than out in the open desert. During cooler parts of the day, diictodons emerge from their burrows to forage. Diictodons survive drought conditions by digging up and eating plant roots and tubers, these often being enough to sustain a pair until the next rainy season.
Male diictodons have larger tusks than females - the most ancient known example of sexual dimorphism.
A diictodon is a foot and a half long and weighs about four pounds.
A diictodon familiar grants its master a +3 bonus on Survival checks.
COMBAT
A diictodon encountered on the surface will scurry as fast as it can back to its burrow if it is spooked, giving an alarm call to warn its mate or any other diictodons in the area. If cornered, a diictodon will bite.
Arid Adaptation (Ex): A diictodon does not need to make Fortitude saves to avoid taking nonlethal damage in conditions between 90 degrees and 140 degrees. In conditions of extreme heat (above 140 degrees) it must make Fortitude saves like any other creature, but gains a +4 racial bonus on this save. In addition, a diictodon needs to drink only half as much water as similarly-sized creatures.
Skills: A diictodon has a +8 racial bonus on Survival checks.
Originally appeared as "dicynodont" in Dragon Magazine #112 (1986).