Nox

It was pointed out to me by Rovewin of Athas.org, that the nox is mentioned in the Black Spine module. However, they are not drawn up in that, or any other book. So, in an effort to rectify the situation, I have created the nox below.

Nox
Climate/Terrain: Forest, Scrub Plains
Frequency: Common
Organization: Lounge
Activity Cycle: Anytime
Diet: Carnivore
Intelligence: Animal (1)
Treasure: None
Alignment: Neutral
No. Appearing: 2-12
Armor Class: 9
Movement: 12
Hit Dice: 1+3
Thac0: 20
No. of Attacks: 1
Damage/Attacks: 1-4
Special Attack: None
Special Defense: None
Magic Resistance: Nil
Size: S (3' long)
Morale: Unreliable (2-4)
XP Value: 35


Nox
The nox is a three foot long (one meter), six-legged lizard with bark-like skin. They are masters of camouflage and use that as their primary mode of defense. They can easily be mistaken for part of a trees trunk, or a fallen branch on the ground. Their skin will slowly change to match the tree they are climbing or clinging to.

Combat
Nox prefer to run and hide, rather than fight, but will do so if cornered, injured, or accidentally stepped on. Nox bite with their mouths, inflicting 1d4 points of damage.
Nox do not fight to protect each other or their nests.

Habitat/Society
Nox live in lounges and have nests in the ground where they lay their eggs. Their nests are made in shallow holes and can be mistaken for a pile of sticks.
Nox breed throughout the year. Females lay 3 to 12 eggs. Young hatch in three weeks and are able to leave the nest in only sixty days, when they are fully mature. Young nox are helpless.

Ecology
Nox prefer to live in forests, but are occasionally found in scrub plains. Nox are a necessary link in the athasian food chain, feeding on insects and being fed on by larger predators.
Most demihumans find the meat of the nox sour tasting, but it is considered quite tasty by gith. Most demihumans will buy nox meat for 1 bit for 2 pounds, but gith will trade for up to 2 bits per pound in goods for it. A single adult nox provides 7 pounds of meat.
Nox hides are nearly worthless. After the death of the nox, their skin becomes brittle and crumbles after a day or two. Nox eggs are leather shelled and medium-sized. They are edible to all races and two dozen can be sold for 2 bits.