Leucrotta (Dungeons & Dragons)

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(For the mythologcical creature, see: Leucrotta)

In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the leucrotta (also sometimes spelt: Luecrotta) is a magical beast based upon the leucrotta, or morely, the Crocotta, of Ethiopian mythology. It is an ugly mix of a stag, lion and badger, having the lion's body, badger's head and stag's legs. It is about 7 feet tall, and 9 feet long. It has cloven hooves, a leonine tail, and bony ridges for teeth. Most of the body is a pale beige, but its color darkens from grey to black towards the head. It has an overpower stench. It dwells in old ruins and wastelands. Its temperament is as ugly as its appearance.

[edit] Characteristics and habits

The leucrotta is hated by all, so it dwells far from civilization. Needing to favor both its hunger and appetite for causing pain and suffering, it goes to great lengths to kill whatever prey it can get in the ruined castles, craggy valeys and dreary caves in which it lives. The leucrotta hunts with its ability to imitate a variety of noises, the most common ones being a woman, child, or domestic animal in distress. Prey, presumably foolhardy heroes that hear the sounds come to investigate, and then the Leucrotta knocks out and devours them. Injurred leucrottas attack with a kick and flee. They are very sly. Sometimes leucrottas dwell in packs, pairs and family groups, but are not very social creatures, prefering gloomy solitude and sometimes extending their aggressive nature even to friends and family. Though leucrottas prefer live meat, they are not above eating carrion, and this enhances their already bad reputation.

Sometimes leucrottas are enslaved by chaotic evil mages to act as guardians, but the creatures rebel at the first opportunity. Some druids believe them to be merely a mutated and hapless aberration, and try to protect them, but these are rare and generally thought mad. Leucrottas are valued by leatherworkers to make boots that enhance running. Their saliva is also said to be useful in love potions.

Leucrottas speak both a language of their own and Common.

They are chaotic evil in alignment.