Toad, Spined

This odd creature combines the features of both a hedgehog and a dog-sized toad. Its tan body is covered in short spines, except for its white underbelly.

Originally Posted by Shade of the En World forums.

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Spined toads lope along with an awkward gait. Although they are mighty leapers, they rarely do so in forests, as their spines stick to trees. These creatures have a playful streak, and sometimes curl up in a ball and roll downhill for fun. The occasional skewered small creatures which can later be consumed provide a fringe benefit to these forays.

Spined toads prey on most insects and animals smaller than themselves. Although primarily land-based hunters, they will enter lakes and ponds to hunt water fowl.

Although few other animals prey on these well-defended toads, lizardfolk tribes gather them for use as projectile weapons, or use their spined skin to make hide armor. A spined toad can be hurled as an improvised thrown weapon, dealing 2d4 points of piercing damage to the target on a successful hit. The toad suffers 1d6 points of damage per 10 feet thrown and must succeed on a DC 15 Fortitude save or be stunned for 1 round. A spined toad may only be hurled by a creature of a larger size category.

A suit of leather armor crafted from spined toad skin is considered to already possess armor spikes at no additional cost. Similarly, a spiked shield can be created by stretching the skin of a spined toad across an existing shield at no additional cost. The skin of a single Small spined toad can cover one small shield or buckler. It takes the hides of two toads to cover a large shield and 6 skins to produce a suit of leather armor for a Medium creature.

Spined toads range from 2 to 6 feet in length, and weigh 6 to 100 pounds. Coloration varies from tan to dark brown, with much lighter (or even white) underbellies.

Spined Toad
Small animal
Hit Dice	1d8 (4 hp)
Initiative	+3
Speed	20 ft. (4 squares)
Armor Class	15 (+1 size, +3 Dexterity, +1 natural), touch 14, flat-footed 12
Base Attack/Grapple	+0/-6
Attack	Bite +4 melee (1d4-2)
Full Attack	Bite +4 melee (1d4-2)
Space/Reach	5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks	–
Special Qualities	Low-Light Vision, spines
Saves	Fort +2, Ref +5, Will +0
Abilities	Strength 6, Dexterity 17, Constitution 10, Intelligence 2, Wisdom 10, Charisma 5
Skills	Hide +7, Jump +9, Listen +2, Spot +2, Swim +11
Feats	Weapon Finesse
Environment	Any land
Organization	Solitary or family (2–4)
Challenge Rating	1/3
Treasure	None
Alignment	Always neutral
Advancement	2 HD (Medium)
Level Adjustment	–

COMBAT

If threatened, a spined toad curls up into a ball, offering nothing but spines to its would-be attackers.

• Spines (Ex): Any creature touching a spined toad, including striking it with handheld weapons or natural weapons, attempting to grapple it, or making a touch attack against it, takes 2d4 points of piercing and slashing damage from the toad’s spines.
• Note that weapons with exceptional reach, such as longspears, do not endanger their users in this way.
• Skills: A spined toad has a +8 racial bonus on Swim checks and a +12 racial bonus on Jump checks, and uses its Dexterity modifier rather than its Strength modifier on Jump and Swim checks.

Originally appeared in Dragon Magazine #247 (1998).