FREQUENCY: Very rare (open or lightly forested areas)
FREQUENCY: Very rare ([Cold Wilderness Forest], [Cold Wilderness Plains])
FREQUENCY: Very rare ([Temperate Wilderness Forest], [Temperate Wilderness Plains])
FREQUENCY: Very rare ([Dungeon Level VIII])

NO. APPEARING: 1
ARMOR CLASS: 0
MOVE: 9" (3")
HIT DICE: 12
% IN LAIR: 30%
TREASURE TYPE: Incidental
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 2-8 || 9
SPECIAL ATTACKS: [SB]
SPECIAL DEFENSES: [SB]
INTELLIGENCE: Animal
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
SIZE: S
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE: VIII | 2700 + 16

SAVES: 7.8.9.8.10

The aurumvorax,
or golden gorger,
is mean,
vicious,
and always hungry.
It dwells in open || lightly-forested areas.
Despite its small,
badger-like size
(11/2 feet tall, 3 feet long)
and shape,
it weighs over 500 pounds,
as its flesh is very dense.

When attacking,
it scuttles forth from its burrow,
locks its teeth into the victim,
and brings 2-8 of its clawed legs into play.
Once it bites successfully for 2-8 points,
the aurumvorax holds on.
On each succeeding round it automatically inflicts 8 points of biting damage,
and it has 2-8 additional clawing attacks which inflict 1-6 HP of damage when they hit.
Dexterity of the opponents is negated for computation of AC in this case.
Only death will unlock its jaws.

Special Defenses: Due to its very dense and heavy hide and bones,
the aurumvorax takes only half damage from blunt weapons.
It is immune to damage from small,
normal fires;
large,
magical fires cause only half <(1/2)> normal damage.
Poisons && gases do not harm the monster at all.

Lair: The attack from a concealed den enables the monster to surprise 50% of the time.

Treasure: Prey dragged into the lair might have had treasure,
and typical items could be mixed with bones and other remains therein.

Description: An aurumvorax has a golden coat,
often as shining and bright as real gold.
Its 8 legs are tipped with copper-colored claws.
The creature has coppery teeth as well.
Its whiskers && mane guard hairs are a tawny bronze color, <perhaps a shade off>
and its eyes are silvery with golden pupils.