Akkedis - New Athasian Monster

Akkedis

Climate/Terrain: Scrub Plains & Stony Barrens
Frequency: Rare
Organization: Bask
Activity Cycle: Day
Diet: Omnivore
Intelligence: Animal (1)
Treasure: Nil
Alignment: Neutral
No. Appearing: 3-12
Armor Class: 4
Movement: 12
Hit Dice: 6+4
Thac0: 16
No. of Attacks: 3
Damage/Attacks: 1-4/1-8
Special Attack: Charge, Disease
Special Defense: Immune to Disease
Magic Resistance: Nil
Size: L (9' Long, 6' Tall)
Morale: Champion (15-16)
XP Value: 975

Akkedis

These large lizards roam in groups, eating vegetation and carrion along their migration route. They do not fear humanity and tend to ignore them, unless provoked. Akkedis carry diseases in their mouths, this is from the carrion they eat.

An adult akkedis weighs 1400 pounds.

Combat
If attacked, akkedis will rear up on their hind legs and attack with two claws, doing 1d4 damage each, and a bite, doing 1d8 damage. In addition, the bite carries a disease. A victim of the akkedis bite must save vs poison, or contract a disease of the DMs choice. Akkedis are immune to all forms of disease.
If the bask is threatened, the largest male of the group will charge the threat. This attack inflicts 2d8 damage, if charging from at least 30'. A charging akkedis cannot attack with its claws and bite.

Habitat/Society
Akkedis roam through scrub plains and stony barrens, migrating to new territory when the food supply runs low. An adult akkedis eats four pounds of food per day, but their digestion is very efficient and they only require ten gallons of water per week (15 days). They largest male serves as the leader, directing the bask and watching for threats. Akkedis do not collect treasure of any kind.
A group of akkedis are called a bask. Akkedis breed throughout high sun and the females lay fertilized eggs 1 week later. Eggs hatch after 60 days. Young akkedis are born with 1 HD and are 1 foot tall. They gain 1 HD every six months and subtract (6-current HD) from their damage, minimum 1. They are immune to disease from birth and gain their disease attack when they grow to 3 HD.
A bask usually consists of 3-12 full grown adults and 2d6 young. Every adult akkedis in a bask will fight to the death to protect a young akkedis.

Ecology
Akkedis eat any vegetation they can find, including thorny bushes and cacti. In addition, they eat meat. Akkedis prefer to eat carrion, but will kill live prey, if food is scarce. Akkedis are too stubborn to be domesticated.
An adult akkedis provides quality leather for various goods. In addition, they provide 700 pounds of bland, but palatable meat and 3 square yards of leather. The meat sells for 2 bits per pound and the leather sells for the standard cost.