FREQUENCY: Rare

FREQUENCY: Rare ([Temperate Wilderness Swamp])
FREQUENCY: Very rare ([Temperate Freshwater Surface], [Temperate Freshwater Depths])

FREQUENCY: Rare ([Tropical Wilderness Swamp])
FREQUENCY: Very rare ([Tropical Freshwater Surface], [Tropical Freshwater Depths])

NO. APPEARING: 5-20
ARMOR CLASS: 6
MOVE: 3 // 12"
HIT DICE: 1-4 hp
% IN LAIR: 40%
TREASURE TYPE: In lair: [J], [K], [L], [M], [N]; individual: [Q]
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-2
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Water jet
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil
INTELLIGENCE: Average
ALIGNMENT: Lawful evil
SIZE: S
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE: I | 7 + 1

SAVES: 16.17.18.17.17

A muckdweller is a bipedal amphibian monster which lurks in swamps,
marshes, or still mud-bottomed waters. Being omnivorous, a muckdweller
will eat plants, insects, aquatic aimals, or even carrion, but fresh
warm-blooded meat is its preferred diet. Packs of muckdwellers will lurk
in wait for unwary victims. When one approaches, several will squirt
jets of muddy water for up to 10' at the victim’s eyes (save vs. Wands
negates, no saving throw if surprised) while others will clamber forth to
bite their prey with their small but sharp teeth. As a blinded victim
cannot react that round, and all attacks against such a victim are at +2
(with no dexterity bonus for the victim’s AC), a muckdweller
attack is dangerous indeed.

The lair of a tribe of these creatures is always underwater, but they will
always have a muddy, above-water area for rest and eating. There, the
muckdwellers heap up their hoardsof shinythings. If 16 or more monsters
are encountered in their lair, there will be double the given type Q
treasure.

Muckdwellers have been known to associate with lizard men on rare
occasions. They also have been reported serving kuo-toan masters.
These monsters speak their own croaking-hissing tongue and possibly
that of lizard men.

A muckdweller has a back of mottled gray and brown and a pale,
yellowish underbelly. The short tail is used for swimming and walking
on land. Digits of the forefeet are prehensile but weak. Rear feet are
partially webbed.