Monster: Hetera

Hetera
Armour Class: 7
Hit Dice: 1+4*
Move: 180’ (60’)
Attacks: 1 tail-lash or 2 claws + 1 bite
Damage: 1-4 + paralysis or 1-3/1-3/1-4
No. Appearing: 2-8 (3-18)
Saves: Normal Man
Morale: 7
Treasure: Nil
Alignment: Neutral
XP Value: 19

Hetera are unusual animals the size of turkeys; long of hindlimb with spreading claws, their forelimbs are considerably shorter and end in paws suitable for running or grasping, with a wickedly curved talon on a powerful "thumb". With compact bodies, a long slender tail, curved neck and compactly-muzzled head armed with a small beak and four fang-like tusks, hetera are well-armed for being such small beasts. A hetera's hide is covered in soft mink-brown downy fuzz, while its four feet are scaled like a bird's -- and its tail bears a crest of long, poisonous quills running down the final quarter of its length.

Though normally herbivorous, hetera will scavenge or pick up small animals when given the chance. In combat a hetera will lash out with its quilled tail for 1-4 hit points of damage; those wounded by the quills must save vs. poison or be paralyzed for 1-6 turns. If its poison fails, and the hetera feels cornered or is in a large flock, it will begin to attack with thumb-claws and bite for 1-3 and 1-4 hit points of damage respectively until capable of fleeing. If enough adversaries are felled by poison, hetera will begin to scissor out flesh with their beaks and fangs.