[Monster] Vile rat

For LL: A nastier giant rat, infesting accursed, haunted sites …

Vile Rat
No. Enc.:           1d10
Alignment:        Chaotic
Movement:       120’ (40’) Swim 60’ (20’)
Armor Class:    6
Hit Dice:            1
Attacks:              1
Damage:            1-4 + disease (see below)
Save:                   F1
Morale:              10
Hoard Class:    None
XP:                     19

The vile rat is similar in appearance to the giant rat, slightly larger, and emitting an even fouler stench.  Any character within 30’ of a vile rat must save vs. poison or suffer -1 to hit (until save made, check each round) because of the stench.  The vile rat is not an undead being, but it is often associated with such because it is strengthened by the energy animating the undead.  Whenever a vile rat is within 60’ of any undead being, it receives a bonus of +1 to hit and to saving throws.  The bite of a vile rat has the same potential to cause disease and death as the bite of an ordinary giant rat, but in order to cure the disease caused by the vile rat, either a Remove Curse or Dispel Evil spell must be cast, in addition to a Cure Disease.  Any character that dies from the disease caused by the bite of a vile rat is destined to become a zombie.