Dire Rat

Appearance
Dire rats look basically the same as a normal rat, but they can grow up to 3 feet long and weigh over 60 pounds (27 kilograms). According to the general description of dire animals, they have a 'feral, prehistoric look'. They are adept swimmers and climbers, relying on their dexterity ability score rather than their strength for these skills. They also have better vision and scent than humans.

Combat
Dire rats attack in packs. Their only weapon is their dangerous bite, which, as well as physically injuring the recipient, can pass on the disease carried by dire rats, known as filth fever. This is an ability that dire rats share only with otyughs, although it can also be caught by anyone who is injured in a dirty environment. The disease temporarily lowers the ill creature's constitution and dexterity ability scores, therefore weakening their immune system and physical toughness, as well as slowing their reflexes, lessening their flexibility and lessening their accuracy.