Roleplayer #26, October, 1991
The Snagger
A Surprise for Science Fiction or Fantasy Campaigns
by Charles Oines
ST: 15-20 Move/Dodge: 0/3* Size: 7
DX: 12 PD/DR: 1/1 Wt: 150-200 lbs.
IQ: 3 Damage: * Origin: SF
HT: 12/20 Reach: C,1 Habitats: F, J
Snaggers resemble large bushes, though they are not plants. They are sessile,
carnivorous animals, consisting of one radial three-toed foot planted firmly
in the ground, a large, round body covered with extended leaf-like scales,
and three radially placed triple-jointed claw, each ending in a single scimitar-like
poison claw. The arms fold into grooves under the scales.
A snagger can attack any target within 3 hexes of its center hex with either
one or two arms. Each claw attack does Thrust-1 impaling damage. If the
claw penetrates armor, a very quick-acting blood agent is injected, inflicting
3d damage, or 1d if the victim makes his HT roll. The effects take 2d seconds
to appear. Once the victim is incapacitated, the snagger will drag the victim
underneath its fronds and inject it with a digestive substance that breaks
down the bones and tissues. Within a week, the snagger's roots will have
"drunk" all the remains except for indigestible clothing, armor,
bionics and so on.
Snaggers can "uproot" themselves and move about very slowly (an
hour to root or uproot, and a hopping movement of less than one foot per
second). They will plant themselves by game trails or water holes, and usually
move after a few good kills or a week without success. They will mimic the
local vegetation, and they don't all look like the same kind of
bushes, so constant care is necessary to identify them, rolling on Survival
or Naturalist skill at a penalty determined by the GM.
Snaggers may appear in either a fantasy or SF background. In a fantasy background,
they are a good source for spell components and a useful poison. In a SF
background they are still a poison source, and the enzyme that breaks down
the victim's flesh may have medical uses (legitimate or otherwise). In any
background, a snagger is edible though not particularly tasty.
Baby snaggers, one hex in size, may also be seen. They will not attack human-sized
prey unless molested, but chopping one down, or just pushing roughly past
it, is enough to invite a poison claw. The baby would do only Thrust or
Thrust-1 damage, and the victim resists with a HT +1 roll, but the effects
are otherwise the same.
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