Tidal Blades
Mistburrows are medium-sized herbivore mammals found mostly near the Vinian Ridge. Adults grow a thick outer shell made out of sediments that look like rock. They dig tunnels in the cliffs using their solid claws and sleep in the entrance, shell out, to protect their offspring from predators. Many a climber has met an unfortunate fate by gripping onto what they thought was solid rock, only to find themselves holding a shrieking mistburrow ready to bite their face off.
Mistburrows have large litters of offspring, which are very vulnerable when they are born. The babies are a vibrant eal color that glows slightly in the dark. The mother's underside is the same color, which helps the young find the mammary glands when nursing.
Motive: Defense, protect their offspring
Environment: Cliffsides, particularly near the Vinian Ridge
Health: 6
Damage Inflicted: Minor wound (3 points)
Armor: 2
Movement: Short
Modifications: Camouflage and surprise attacks as level 4
Combat: Mistburrows don't seek out fights, but will defend their offspring and homes viciously and to the death if necessary.
They have short, sharp, strong claws just right for digging through stone (or flesh) and jaws that open surprisingly wide for such a small creature, allowing them to sink their teeth into an arm, thigh, or face with ease.
Mistburrows may attempt to distract predators from their nests by curling themselves tightly into a ball and rolling a short distance away, acting as though they've been injured and are easy prey.
Interaction: Mistburrows mostly interact only in times of defense. However, characters who have skills in interacting with animals may work to gain a mistburrow's trust. It's rumored that long ago, a famous thief taught a group of mistburrows to trust her, and was able to use their tunnels as caches for stolen loot.
Use: More often than not, characters invade a mistburrow's space inadvertently and are forced to face the consequences.
GM Intrusion: The young in the disturbed nest are old enough to attack and join in the fight.