Monstrous Mondays: Chupacabras

 Today is Cino de Mayo! Which is ... well, nothing really. It is a made-up holiday (ok, all holidays are made up). It is not Mexican Independence Day; that is September 16th. Celebrates the Mexican victory over the 2nd French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862 (see below). Also around here in Chicagoland it is a great excuse for some Mexican food (and we have some great choices here) and have people drive around with Mexican flags on their cars and trucks. It's a lot of fun really. 

It is also a good day to feature one of my favorite Latin American Cryptids, the Chupacabras or Chupacabra. 

Chupacabra

Small Beast, Very Rare

Armor Class: 8 [11]
Hit Dice: 3d8 (16 )
Move:  90’ (30’)
  fly*: 120’ (40’)
Attacks: 2 claws, 1 bite + drain
Damage: 1d4 x2, 1d3
Special: Blood drain, darkvision, enhanced senses (smell)
To Hit AC 0: 16
No. Appearing: 1d2 (1d6)
Save As: Monster 3?
Morale: 6 (8)
Treasure Type: None
Alignment: Neutral (True Neutral)
XP Value: 75

Languages: None

S: 11 I: 10 W: 10 D: 15 C: 15 Ch: 8 

Chupacabras are small reptilian creatures with large yellow eyes, long claws, and long teeth.  They remind one of a large, upright lizard about the size and weight of a gnome.  They have spines running down the length of their back.  Some chupacabras have wings and are capable of flight.

Chupacabras are nocturnal creatures found on the fringes of society where they feed on the blood of livestock, typically goats and sheep.  They are not above attacking large prey and will even attack a humanoid if they can get the surprise.  Their attacks are often thought at first to be wolves or wild dogs until it is discovered that all victims have been drained of blood.  Then, usually, vampires are blamed.

If the chupacabra makes two successful claw attacks and a bite attack, it is attached to its victim and begins to drain blood at the rate of 1d3 Constitution points per round, starting on the round it is attached.  The victim will need to make a strength check (roll under their strength score) to free themselves.  If the chupacabra takes more than 10 points of damage in a round, it will let go.  If the victim is drained to 0 Constitution, they will die.  Constitution can be regained at a rate of 1 point per week of complete bed rest or via a Clerical Restoration spell.

Chupacabras take no treasure and have no interest in weapons or magic.  A nest of chupacabras will have two adults, 2 juveniles and 1d6 unhatched eggs.  Unhatched chupacabra eggs will sell for 100 gp each or up to 500 gp in some areas (100 gp + 1d8 x50gp).

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Given the successes (so far!) of my recent Myths & Monsters Vol. 3 - Lilith & Lilim (1st Ed) and Monstrous Maleficarum #4 - Lilith & the Lilim (5th Ed) I am thinking a volume on cryptids might work out well.