Pack Lizard

Medium beast, neutral

Armor Class 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points 13 (2d10+2)
Speed 20 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
12 (+1)	12 (+1)	12 (+1)	3 (–4)	10 (+0)	5 (–3)

Senses darkvision 30 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages none
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)

ACTIONS

• Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 3 (1d3+1) piercing damage.

ABOUT

Pack lizards are subterranean beasts-of-burden. They appear similar to a monitor lizard and vary in size from 6 to 8 feet in length excluding their long tails. They are short, no more than four feet high, and are particularly well-suited for dwarves as well as derro.

Pack lizards are slow in comparison to mules (3/4 movement rate) but their low center of gravity and claws provides the ability to traverse difficult terrain, such as razor rock and glassy rock, that other beasts-of-burden cannot. Pack lizards can carry 300 lbs. without encumbrance. Each additional 25lbs reduces their speed by 5 until they refuse to move. These lizards rarely attack unless cornered. They prefer to flee under normal circumstances.

Mine mules, also known as “pit ponies,” may be cumbersome for the GM to address. GMs should employ reasonable judgment and base the use of mules against the difficulty of the subterranean terrain faced by player characters as they progress through the adventure. Exploring along primary passage routes will make pack-animals much more practical. However, the hazards faced along secondary passages will not dispose themselves to mules. PCs will likely reach a point where they may have to abandon their mule (poor Old Bill). The PCs may be able to acquire a pack lizard from a vanquished warband or find one in a tribal stronghold (see New Monsters). Pack lizards can traverse difficult terrain standard mounts cannot.