Rock Tuatara

The stony-looking hide of this fat reptile ends in a studded, heavy club of a tail.

Rock Tuatara CR 1/3

XP 100
N Tiny animal
Init +1; Senses darkvision 120 ft., low-light vision; Perception +4

DEFENSE

AC 13, touch 13, flat-footed 12 (+1 Dex, +2 size)
hp 5 (1d8+1)
Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +0

OFFENSE

Speed 20 ft., climb 20 ft.
Melee bite +3 (1d3–3), tail slap –2 (1d3–3)
Space 2-1/2 ft.; Reach 0 ft.

STATISTICS

Str5, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 1, Wis 10, Cha 5
Base Atk +0; CMB –1; CMD 5 (9 vs. trip)
Feats Weapon Finesse
Skills Climb +9, Perception +4, Stealth +9 (+13 in rocky areas), Survival +4; Racial Modifiers +4 Stealth in rocky areas, +4 Survival

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Primitive Eye (Ex)

Rock tuataras have a primitive third eye on their foreheads that can detect only light and movement. They do not take a penalty on Perception checks while asleep.

ECOLOGY

Environment any underground
Organization solitary, pair, or nest (3–12)
Treasure none

Although tuataras are practically extinct on the surface world, they flourish in the caverns and tunnels of the Deeplands, where they have adapted their camouflage to blend in with the rocky cave surfaces. Dwarves and duergar in particular keep tuataras as humans or elves might keep cats. They skitter through granaries and homes, eating vermin and providing companionship.

The rock tuatara listed here is the most common subterranean breed. Other varieties include flute tuataras, with decorative spines to help them blend into fungal gardens; mossy tuataras, which sleep underwater for such extended periods that moss often grows on their craggy hides; and viper tuataras, which deliver a deadly venom with their bites. The average rock tuatara grows to nearly 2 feet long and weighs around 4 pounds.

Rock tuataras can make loyal familiars for spellcasters.

The master of a rock tuatara familiar gains a +3 bonus on Stealth checks in rocky environments.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Pathfinder Adventure Path #118: Siege of Stone © 2017, Paizo Inc.; Authors: Thurston Hillman, with Paris Crenshaw, Crystal Frasier, Patchen Mortimer, and Kalervo Oikarinen.

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