The Roshu of Norukar

The Fifth Stratum, Part One: The Roshu Warren

The so-called fifth stratum contains many chambers and corridors that are unexplored and unused by the surface dwellers. This suite of connected chambers has been claimed by a pack of roshu. Roshu are vile semi-aquatic intelligent rats that have developed a primitive sort of society amidst the physical foundations of the city of Norukar. Roshu are not actively hostile towards humans or other surface-dwellers, but they are opportunistic and have, on occasion, stolen human children to serve as slaves or food.  Roshu have no language as humans understand it, but communicate using barking sounds, squeaks, growls, body language, and simple hand-signs.

The roshu of this warren will at first try to turn any interlopers away through warning barks and threatening displays. If pressed, they will defend their warren to the death. If the player characters show that they wish to parley or trade, the roshu will warily indicate acceptance and will meet peaceably in the outer guard room. If any player characters ask about the cult, perhaps showing the poison daggers or the robes, the roshu traders will indicate understanding and will offer to lead the player characters through a secret tunnel to the heart of the cult temple, bypassing the guards, in exchange for barter.

Roshu

Roshu Warriors

Roshu warriors are trained and armed for battle. They defend the warren and go on raiding parties to the upper strata.

Characteristic      Roll                        Average

STR                        2D6                        7

CON                       2D6                        7

SIZ                         2D6                        7

INT                        2D6+6                    13

POW                      3D6                        10-11

DEX                       3D6                        10-11

APP                        1D6+2                    5-6

Move: 10              Hit Points: 7         Damage Bonus: -1D4

Armor: Usually none, though some Roshu warriors wear 2-point of hide or leather with a light helmet.

Attacks: Bite 40%, 1D3 + db
Claw 25%, 1D3 + db
Short Spear 35%, 1D6 + 1 + db, warriors only
Short Sword 35%, 1D6 + 1 + db, warriors only

Skills: Dodge 40%, Hide 40%, Fine Manipulation 40%, Listen 65%, Sense 95%, Sleight of Hand 50%, Stealth 40%, Swim 100%

Diseased Bite: The bite of a Roshu harbors communicable diseases. Treat as the Disease Carrier minor mutation (BRP page 105) with a POT of 2D6 (rolled with each contact).

Hisser (Giant Cockroach)

The cockroaches of the Norukarian Under-City, known as Hissers, can reach up to a meter in length. The roshu have domesticated and trained these massive cockroaches to serve as watchdogs and attack beasts.

Characteristic      Roll                        Average

STR                        2D6+12                 19

CON                       3D6                        10-11

SIZ                         2D6+3                    10

INT                        2                              2

POW                      1D6+6                    9-10

DEX                       3D6+6                    16-17

APP                        1D6                        3-4

Move: 4                 Hit Points: 14-15                Damage Bonus: none

Armor: 4-point chitin

Attacks: Bite 55%, 1D8 + db
Acid Spit 40%, 1D6 + acid (see Acid Spit below)

Skills: Dodge 40%, Hide 80%, Stealth 60%

Acid Spit: The hisser can spit an acidic attack up to 6m at a target once every ten minutes (1 turn). Any target hit with the acid spit attack will take an additional 1D3-1 damage per round (see Acid, BRP page 211).

Roshu Giant

Approximately one out of every twenty roshu is born with a mutation that causes gigantism. These specimens grow to a height of up to three meters. They are massive, brutish, and dumb. They are easily tamed and trained by roshu slave overseers and are put to work as laborers and shock troops.

Characteristic      Roll                        Average

STR                        3D6+12                 22-23

CON                       2D6+9                    16

SIZ                         3D6+12                 22-23

INT                        1D6+3                    6

POW                      2D6                        7

DEX                       3D6                        10-11

APP                        1D6+2                    5-6

Move: 12              Hit Points: 19-20                Damage Bonus: +2D6

Armor: Usually none, though some roshu giants wear 2-point of hide or leather with a light helmet.

Attacks: Bite 40%, 1D3 + db
Claw 25%, 1D3 + db
Grapple 65%,

Skills: Dodge 40%, Listen 35%, Sense 30%, Spot 35%, Track 55%

Diseased Bite: The bite of a Roshu harbors communicable diseases. Treat as the Disease Carrier minor mutation (BRP page 105) with a POT of 2D6 (rolled with each contact).

Slash-Face, the Roshu Sergeant

Slash-Face is the leader of a pack of roshu warriors. He is an experienced survivor, a canny combatant, and a trusted battle leader.

STR 9    CON 11   SIZ 7    INT 15  POW 14  DEX 13 APP 4

Move: 10              Hit Points: 8         Damage Bonus: -1D4

Armor: 2-point hide and light helmet

Attacks: Bite 40%, 1D3 + db
Claw 25%, 1D3 + db
Short Sword 45%, 1D6 + 1 + db, warriors only

Skills: Dodge 60%, Hide 50%, Fine Manipulation 40%, Listen 70%, Sense 95%, Sleight of Hand 60%, Stealth 65%, Swim 100%

Diseased Bite: The bite of a Roshu harbors communicable diseases. Treat as the Disease Carrier minor mutation (BRP page 105) with a POT of 2D6 (rolled with each contact).

Roshu Queen

The queen of the roshu is generally a non-combatant, preferring instead to let her guards defend her person. However, if cornered, she will fight with animal ferocity.

Characteristic      Roll                        Average

STR                        2D6                        7

CON                       3D6                        10-11

SIZ                         3D6                        10-11

INT                        2D6+6                    13

POW                      3D6                        10-11

DEX                       2D6                        7

APP                        1D6+1                    4-5

Move: 4                 Hit Points: 8-9     Damage Bonus: None

Armor: None

Attacks: Bite 40%, 1D3 + db
Claw 25%, 1D3 + db

Skills: Dodge 40%, Hide 40%, Fine Manipulation 40%, Listen 65%, Sense 95%, Sleight of Hand 50%, Stealth 40%, Swim 100%

Diseased Bite: The bite of a Roshu harbors communicable diseases. Treat as the Disease Carrier minor mutation (BRP page 105) with a POT of 2D6 (rolled with each contact).