Goblin Rat

Small Shapechanger
Hit Dice: 3d8+3 (16 hp)
Initiative: +3 (Dex)
Speed: 30'
AC: 14 (+1 size, +3 Dex)
Attacks: Bite +4 melee OR halfspear +3 melee; hankyu (shortbow) +6 ranged
Damage: Bite 1d6 OR halfspear 1d6; hankyu 1d6
Face/Reach: 5'x5'/5'
Special Attacks: Disease
Special Qualities: Shapechange, Fear of cats,  SR 13
Saves: Fort +2, Ref +7, Will +0
Abilities: Str 10, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 14, Wis 8, Cha 6
Skills: Listen +6, Hide +8, Move Silently +8
Feats: Weapon focus (bite)

Climate/Terrain: Temperate and warm forest
Organization: Pair (2), Gang (4-9), Band (10-30 plus third-level "king"), Tribe (30-300 plus 1 third-level "king" per 20 adults, 1 or 2 fifth level "lieges", and 1 eighth-level "emperor")
Challenge Rating: 2
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Lawful evil
Advancement: By character class

Goblin rats are similar to were-creatures and hengeyokai in that they are shapechangers, but they can only assume the form of a "ratman" or a huge rat. In either form they have full hit points. The former resembles a human in most respects, but they hair is usually sleeked back and dark gray. Goblin rats in "ratman" form can use weapons and armor. As huge rats, they have a viscous bite. They can change shape any number of times a day as a free action on their turn. In any case, goblin rats are filthy creatures, usually lairing in an abandoned hut or temple in a forest.

Goblin rats have darkvision to 60'.

Combat

Goblin rats are masters of thieving and ambushing wayfarers. Their skills go a long way toward this end. Usually, one or two will appear in human form and engage the victims from a distance while their comrades in rat-form sneak in for the kill. Alternatively, travelers have been known to be invited to attend a feast in honor of the "forest king," where they'll find an entire band in ratman form. Usually, heady wines are served at these affairs, and some have fallen asleep to awake later horrified - and surrounded by a mass of sniveling, consuming, drunken giant rats.

In rat form, their bite transmits filth fever (cf., DMG), although the target can resist the disease with a successful DC of 15.

Goblin rats have an almost unnatural fear of cats.  Upon seeing one - or even a life-like image of a cat - a goblin rat must make a Will save (DC 15) or flee in terror.  Sometimes, in areas haunted by these pests, pictures of cats are hung on houses to great effect.  A painting will actually have this effect on a goblin rat if it is of masterwork quality (worth 150 gp or more).

Although they're not amenable to using magic for the most part, they are somewhat immune to it, and have a SR of 13.

Goblin Rat Society

Goblin rats structure themselves into "kingdoms," meaning bands of a score with one experienced leader who serves as despot over the rest. Likewise, as the size of the organization grows, the "royalty" become more and more grand, culminating in the goblin rat "emperor," a truly despicable creature.

Goblin Rat Characters

A goblin rat's favored multiclass is rogue (yakuza).

Converted from Oriental Adventures (Gary Gygax). Available at The Wu Jen, by "exempt". D&D is a trademark of Wizards of the Coast. Distributed under the Open Gaming License.