TROGLODYTE

Troglodytes are a race of reptilian humanoids who dwell in subterranean places. They loathe humans, and their aim is to slaughter all whom they encounter.

Troglodytes have a chameleon-like power, so they can change their skin coloration to shades of gray, brown or green. They thus surprise on a 1-4 unless they are angry and excreting their stench. They use this coloration to hide when an encounter goes against them.

Troglodytes can attack with claws and teeth, but 50% of them use weapons of some type. Their javelins are great vaned darts which have a +3 chance to hit when used by troglodytes and cause 2-8 hit points damage. They shun armor. The armed half of a group encountered will have:

When aroused for battle, troglodytes emit a secretion which smells extremely disgusting to humans — including dwarves, elves, gnomes, half-elves and halflings. Those humans failing their saving throw versus Poison are affected by revulsion so as to lose 1 point of Strength per melee round for 1-6 rounds, cumulative. Loss of Strength lasts 10 melee rounds after it has taken final effect.

For every 10 troglodytes encountered there will be 1 leader-type with 3 hit dice. For every 20 there will be an additional 2 leader types with 4 hit dice each. If 60 or more are encountered there will be a troglodyte chieftain with 6 hit dice, and 2-8 guards of 3 hit dice each.

The lair of a tribe of troglodytes is typically a large cave or cavern with small chambers adjoining it in which the individual units live. A lair will contain females equal to 100% of the males. Females fight as 1 + 1 hit dice monsters. There will also be hatchlings and eggs, but these are of no importance.