Saturday, October 15, 2011

Devastation Drive-In — 'Man's Best Friend' (1993)


Composi-Dog

No. Enc.:  1 (1d4)
Alignment:  Neutral
Movement:  420' (140')
    —Climb:  45' (15')
Armor Class:  6
Hit Dice:  5
Attacks:  1 (bite)
Damage:  2d4+6
Save:  L4
Morale:  10
Hoard Class:  None
XP:  1,400

Since the dawn of time, humanity and canines co-evolved for mutual benefit...

...until the day that the canines advanced far past their human masters...

...TURNING MAN'S MOST LOYAL COMPANIONS INTO THEIR GREATEST ENEMIES!!!

Composi-dogs are the end results of demented Ancient science intended to create the ultimate protector animal.   They resemble ordinary mastiffs...but they are far, far more, indeed, as their genetic code is an unholy chimeric stew.

Composi-dogs' physical strength rivals that of bears and tigers...and speaking of big cats, they can climb vertical surfaces like jaguars, and run as fast as cheetahs.  Composi-dogs see as well as owls; they bound over obstacles like jackrabbits; they camoflage themselves like chameleons.  Rattlesnakes are even included in their genetic heritage, as the horrible hounds can both distend their jaws to swallow small prey whole, and excrete a Class 6 poison (which manifests as corrosive bodily waste).

As if their physical abilities weren't terrifying enough, composi-dogs are uncannily intelligent.  They can open doors and windows with ease, and disable vehicles and machinery by cannily finding—and chewing through—critical components.  They even understand up to a dozen different languages...but whether they decide to obey is a different matter entirely.

Composi-dogs are usually encountered in Ancient laboratories or military installations.  If freed by a PC, the grateful canine will bond with its savior.  However...the dog is ferociously jealous of its new master, and will slowly—and insidiously—remove all other adults in that same individual's life...often by extreme means.  (The word "adults" is key, as composi-dogs don't target children, but this is not because they are particularly fond of tykes; no, it's simply because they don't view them as threats...yet....)

Mutations:  Chameleon Epidermis, Combat Empathy, Increased Sense (Hearing), Increased Sense (Smell), Increased Sense (Taste), Increased Sense (Vision), Quickness, Toxic Weapon ("Acid-Urine")