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Quay Rat
Quay Rat
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type:
Swarm vermin; scavenger
habitat:
Vesper Quay; underbridges; sump tunnels near the Gutter Syndic
threat_level:
low
size:
20–35 cm body; swarms fill a 2–3 m patch
behavior:
Opportunistic; bold in numbers; disperses under bright light and heat
diet:
Fish offal; grain spill; tarred rope grease; refuse
group_size:
2–12 individuals; full swarms 20–60
notable:
Carries dock-borne disease; chews net and rope lines
Quay Rat is a dockside vermin species that swarms along the lantern docks of Vesper Quay and the underbridge lanes around the Gutter Syndic. It serves as a nuisance encounter, stripping fish dumps, gnawing net cordage, and harrying distracted crews. Harbor wardens from the Counting House treat large swarms as a safety hazard during night traffic.
Description
- Sleek, salt-matted fur; tails scarred by barnacle scrapes and trap wires.
- Eyes reflect lantern light; constant whisker testing on slick boards.
- Teeth show tar stains from gnawing pitch and rope; incisors overgrown in older specimens.
- Swarm behavior: mills tight when threatened, then bursts in low, ankle-height surges.
- Nesting in pallet voids, crate gaps, and drain culverts near the Lantern Docks of Vesper Quay.
Habitat / Biome / Scene(s)
- Common along Vesper Quay, Jetty Stairs, and lower skiff landings.
- Thick under the bridges and Sump Steps feeding the Gutter Syndic quarter.
- Scavenges around Quarantine Piles during offloads overseen by wardens under Ilex Marr.
- Trails night crews through Cutter’s Row and the Night Market when refuse accumulates.
Abilities / Attacks / Behaviors
- Swarm Bite: Many small bites combine into one damage roll; ignores single-target parry bonuses.
- Filth Fever: On failed save, inflicts disease; penalties to vigor checks until treated.
- Rope Gnaw: Targets hemp and kelp cord; may weaken mooring or net lines over a short span.
- Panic Scatter: Bright flame or sudden smoke forces the swarm to break for 1–2 rounds.
- Pack Boldness: Gains advantage when adjacent to spilt grain or offal.
- Sump Sense: Advantage to locate food caches and warm exhaust vents.
Drops / Loot
- Salt-Slick Kelp scraps stuffed into nests.
- Oil-rimed rags soaked in Lantern Oil.
- Chewed paper shreds from a Tariff Ledger or bonded slips.
- Bent wire, corks, and small bone pins; rarely a chipped Glasswire Dagger sheath tip.
Stats
- Tier: Low (vermin swarm)
- Hit Points: Low per cluster; damage reduces swarm size
- Armor: None; resistance to weapon crits from single-target blades
- Speed: Fast scuttle; excels on ropes and pier lattice
- Perception: High in dim light; poor in open glare
- Morale: Breaks under heat, smoke, or loud crowd pressure
Tactics / Strategy
- Use a Smoke Ampoule or open flame to scatter and create movement lanes.
- Elevate boots and tuck trousers; strike with brooms, poles, or a Dockhand’s Hook.
- Do not rely on a single Glasswire Dagger vs. a full swarm; sweep and stomp work better.
- Keep bait and refuse sealed; hang nets and lines away from easy climb points.
- Wardens under Ilex Marr salt the board gaps and set trap runs before big offloads.
Lore
- Old quay talk claims the Gutter Syndic tosses grain to pull swarms across patrol routes.
- Female broker Scillia Doge pays for clean piers near hush meets; crews sweep rats ahead of handoffs.
- Male operative Sable Thurne notes that a sudden rat surge marks fresh spill or a staged distraction.
- Counting clerks from the Counting House log rat damage as “ambient loss,” pressuring dock insurers.
Image Gallery
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A swarm boiling from pallet gaps along Vesper Quay
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Rats chewing a mooring line beneath an underbridge market
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Wardens salting the boards before a quarantine offload
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Scavengers picking over fish offal near the Night Market