Lizard, Giant Gecko 5 (15)

Lost Company Press

This overgrown arboreal predator has vibrant and iridescent skin that seems to shimmer and shift in the light, showcasing a surreal spectrum of colors. Despite its size, it moves with surprising stealth, thanks to its specialized toe pads that allow it to climb almost any surface with ease. The Giant Gecko is known not only for its remarkable climbing abilities but also for its rapid and unexpected attacks from above, snatching prey with its powerful jaws.

Motive: Hunting for food and defending its territory

Environment: Tropical and sub-tropical forests, often found in ancient ruins or near sources of water (Forest)

Health: 9

Damage: 3 points

Armor: 1

Movement: Immediate when climbing; short otherwise

Modifications: Climbing and Stealth tasks as level 5; Attacks and Speed defense when climbing as level 5 due to agility and surprise

Combat: A Giant Gecko can attack from above without notice, making a surprise pounce that inflicts an extra 2 points of damage (total 7) and might knock the target prone requiring a Speed defense roll to avoid. If successful, the gecko latches onto its victim and can continue to gnaw for a moderate wound (5 points) each round until shaken off with a successful Might-based task (difficulty level of the gecko).

• Sticky Feet: The Gecko can move across any surface at its normal movement rate without needing to roll for climbing tasks; even seemingly smooth, vertical, or inverted surfaces pose no challenge.
• Camouflage: The Giant Gecko can blend into its surroundings. While stationary, it is treated as one level higher for stealth tasks, making it difficult to spot among the foliage and ruins it calls home.
• Precision Strike: Once per combat, the Giant Gecko can target a vital area if attacking from stealth, inflicting an additional minor wound (3 points) and potentially impairing the victim for one round.

Interactions: Generally solitary and territorial, Giant Geckos may be cautiously curious about intruders before attacking. They can be distracted by things that pique their interest, often shiny objects or quick movements.

Uses: Adventurers might be tasked to retrieve lost items or eggs from a nest situated high on a seemingly unscalable cliff, only to discover the domain is fiercely guarded by a Giant Gecko.

GM Intrusion: As a player scales a vertical surface, a misplaced hand finds not rock, but the camouflaged flesh of a sleeping Giant Gecko. Startled awake, it reacts with a ferocious counter-attack or a scrambling escape that dislodges rocks and debris onto the characters below.