Tree Growler
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Climate/Terrain | Tropical and Temperate Forest and Jungle |
| Frequency | Uncommon |
| Organization | Band |
| Activity Cycle | Any |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Intelligence | Animal |
| Treasure | Nil |
| Alignment | Neutral |
| No. Appearing | 2-40 |
| Armor Class | 5 |
| Movement | 8"//20" (leap up to 50 feet) |
| Hit Dice | 1-8 hit points (northern varieties 1-4 hit points) |
| THAC0 | 20 |
| No. of Attacks | 2 (0) |
| Damage/Attack | 1/1 (0) |
| Special Attacks | Nil |
| Special Defenses | Nil |
| Magic Resistance | Nil |
| Size | S (up to 4 feet in length, most 2 to 3 feet) |
| Morale | Average |
| XP Value | 35 |
Description
A virtual symbol of the sometimes alien and bizarre fauna of this world, the tree frog is strange indeed. Representing a highly specialized branch of amphibians, it has been described as cross between a tree frog and a monkey. In truth, they seem to have fulfilled the same ecological role as the monkey, living in the forest canopy feeding on flowers, fruits, and insects.
They are highly mobile for cold-blooded creatures, being able to not only swing between trees like a monkey but hop considerable distances between trees. Fairly slow on the ground, they can usually though easily hop to a nearby tree branch and scamper out of view.
The eerie calling and croaking - often growling - of these creatures is a hallmark sound of this colony world, a haunting one that many remember for the rest of their lives.
Generally harmless to humans, they are unpopular among fruit farmers, and can make considerable nuisances when they enter an area, often remaining for weeks. During mating season, the cacophony of their mating calls defies description. Fortunately unlike monkeys they generally don't become beggars and thieves in marketplaces. Unfortunately, they are either unafraid or unintelligent enough to not be easily frightened from an area, and it can take considerable effort to drive a troop of them away from an orchard.
If forced to attack they can claw for 1/1. Some varieties are believed to have toxins in their skins, those species are thought mainly to exist in the Jade Peninsula.
It is possible that there is a relationship between tree growlers and the Buforians, though scholars aren't sure. Like the Buforians, they do not tolerate cold well and are generally found in warm temperate and tropical areas, though smaller hibernating varieties are found farther north. These will have no effective attack.