This dog-sized dragon's body and wings are covered in filthy, dull brown scales, but its long skinny tail is naked pink flesh. With its beady eyes and whiskers, it could easily be mistaken for a huge rat.
Gutter Drake CR 4
XP 1200
NE Small dragon
Init +7; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, scent; Perception +6
----- Defense -----
AC 18, touch 14, flat-footed 15 (+3 Dex, +4 natural, +1 size)
hp 42 (5d12+10)
Fort +6, Ref +7, Will +4
Immune disease, paralysis, sleep
----- Offense -----
Speed 40 ft., fly 100 ft. (good)
Melee bite +9 (1d6 plus disease)
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 5th; concentration +6)
1/day—summon swarm
----- Statistics -----
Str 11, Dex 16, Con 15, Int 6, Wis 10, Cha 13
Base Atk +5; CMB +4; CMD 17 (21 vs. trip)
Feats Improved Initiative, Skill Focus(Handle Animal), Weapon Finesse
Skills Bluff +6, Fly +10, Handle Animal +6, Knowledge (local) +3, Perception +6, Sense Motive +4, Stealth +15
Languages Common, Draconic
SQ vermin empathy +4
----- Ecology -----
Environment any urban
Organization solitary or pair
Treasure standard
----- Special Abilities -----
Disease (Ex) Filth fever: Bite—injury; save Fort DC 12; onset 1d3 days; frequency 1/day; effect 1d3 Dex damage and 1d3 Con damage; cure 2 consecutive saves. The save DC is Constitution-based.
Vermin Empathy (Su) This ability functions as a druid's wild empathy, save that a gutter drake can only use this ability on vermin. A gutter drake gains a +4 racial bonus on this check. Vermin are normally mindless, but this empathic communication imparts on them a modicum of implanted intelligence, allowing gutter drakes to train Small or Medium vermin and use them as guards. Vermin empathy treats swarms as if they were one creature possessing a single mind—a gutter drake can thus use this ability to influence and direct the actions of swarms with relative ease.
Gutter drakes are degenerate cousins to dragons who are a constant threat to communities of all sizes. Cunning and mischievous, their stealthy nature allows them to thrive in the shadows of society by stealing what they desire.
Gutter drakes will lair in any unused space they can access and have been found in abandoned buildings, sewers, or even open crypts. Territorial and jealous, they are usually solitary creatures, but a mated pair will remain together at least until their clutch has hatched. Frequently referring to themselves as the king of vermin, gutter drakes share their homes with rats, spiders, or other foul creatures. Gutter drakes have developed a rudimentary form of control over these creatures and will often employ dire rats as guards or scouts.
Gutter drakes are notorious cowards and strive to avoid contact with people. Occasionally, smarter or more ambitious individuals will bargain with local criminals. They traffic in secrets, trading overheard information for food and shiny baubles.
Small, round ears and pointy muzzles combine with a long skinny tails to give gutter drakes a distinctly rat-like appearance. Adults can grow up to 4 feet in length and weigh as much as 40 pounds.