Pseudorat

### Habitat

Mostly city sewers and basements of cities, in wild areas they can be found underground, like in abandoned mines, for example

### Prey

Rats, mice, waste and in group, they may attack other monsters like wererats, or humans

### Predators

Cats, werecats, zeugls, rimplers and witchers

**Pseudorats** are giant, mutant rat-like creatures, at least the size of a chicken, that live in urban areas, mostly in flocks in the sewers and basements of the cities. In wild areas, they live underground, such as in abandoned mines or caves. They differ from real rats with their hairless bodies, short tails, and very prominent front teeth. The creatures feed on the meat of rats and mice, occasionally consuming waste, but they do not hesitate to attack people or larger creatures, like wererats, for example, if they are hungry or sense any threat to their territory.

## Origins

The true origin of the pseudorats remains a mystery. The prevailing theories propose that they are a failed creation of Rissberg, preceding the development of the parazeugl (which would explain their occasional consumption of waste), which eventually evolved into a plague after escaping the castle. Alternatively, they might have been among the numerous animals used as test subjects for experimenting with mutations intended for witchers before the application of these to humans during the period when Alzur and Idarran of Ulivo, in this instance, resided at Kaer Seren.

## Physical Characteristics

Pseudorats are characterized by their hairless bodies, devoid of the fur that usually covers the backs of conventional rats. Their skin exhibits a sickly pallor, often displaying mottled patterns of gray, pink, and white. Standing at least the size of a chicken, these mutant rodents are larger and more robust than their natural counterparts. Their tails are notably short compared to regular rats, providing them with better balance and agility. Their eyes are of an unnatural blue.

The most striking feature of pseudorats is their large, prominent front teeth, which are razor-sharp and capable of inflicting serious harm. These incisors are adapted for both tearing through flesh and gnawing on bones, making them formidable predators in their urban and underground habitats.

It is not known what the pseudorat's ancestor may have been before it became the creature it is, but most theories suggest that it was some kind of rodent. The prevailing speculation revolves around the possibility that the pseudorat's lineage traces back to common rats. However, since normal rats and wererats harbor a deep-seated animosity towards pseudorats, other theories propose alternative rodent species as potential ancestors.

## Behaviour

Pseudorats are primarily nocturnal creatures, exhibiting heightened activity under the cover of darkness to navigate their environments and minimize exposure to potential predators and competitors. In urban areas, they often form colonies within sewers and basements, fostering a social structure that provides collective protection, enhances hunting capabilities, and facilitates reproduction.

Similar to their supposed distant cousins, pseudorats are territorial beings, fiercely defending nests and hunting areas. Territorial disputes among individuals or colonies are not uncommon and can escalate into aggressive encounters. During the mating season in spring, pseudorats display increased aggression and territorial behaviors as they vie for mates and establish breeding territories. Warmer temperatures lead to heightened activity, with pseudorats frequently hunting and defending territories.

In summer, the focus shifts to nesting and reproduction. Females seek secure and secluded locations, such as abandoned burrows or hidden corners in urban structures, to give birth and raise offspring. The gestation period and the number of offspring can vary.

As temperatures drop in fall, pseudorats engage in behaviors to prepare for winter. Territorial disputes intensify during this season as pseudorats strive to secure resources before the scarcity of winter, sometimes leading to forced relocations and instances of pseudorats infiltrating businesses and homes.

During winter, pseudorats exhibit reduced overall activity and may retreat to warmer underground locations, conserving energy. In a semi-dormant state, they face a scarcity of food sources. This period also sees an increased risk of pseudorats seeking new territories, potentially resulting in instances where like in fall, they take refuge in human dwellings.

## Habitat

Pseudorats are highly adaptable creatures, capable of surviving in both urban and wild environments. In urban areas, they form colonies that thrive in the labyrinthine sewers and dimly lit basements, often moving in flocks to increase their chances of securing food. In the wild, they favor underground habitats such as abandoned mines, caves, and other subterranean locations.

As already mentioned, their territories are fiercely defended, and any perceived threat is met with aggression. Pseudorats are known to attack not only smaller creatures like rats and mices but also larger beings, including humans and wererats, particularly when hungry or defending their territory.

## Diet

Pseudorats are carnivorous creatures, primarily feeding on the flesh of rats and mice. Their sharp teeth make quick work of their prey, and they are known to be opportunistic hunters. While they occasionally consume waste, their preference for meat, especially that of smaller rodents, dominates their dietary habits.

## Weaknesses

The weaknesses of the pseudorat are varied. The first is that, already mentioned, they are creatures of nocturnal habits (which further supports the theory that they were a prototype before the creation of parazeugl, designed to consume waste but went awry). The second is their sensitivity to sunlight; although they won't perish from exposure to sunlight like certain vampire species, it does bother them. The third is that, like all creatures classified as beasts, when faced by a witcher, a steel sword is the appropriate weapon. The fourth is their vulnerability to fire. Lastly, the fifth weakness lies in their heightened sensitivity to certain odors. Pseudorats possess an acute sense of smell, and certain potent scents, especially those considered "human-friendly" (which reinforces one of the aforementioned theories), can disorient and distress them.

## Harvestable Parts

* **Meat**: The meat of a pseudorat is edible, but only after an extensive period of preparation. Consuming pseudorat meat without proper preparation or insufficient cooking can lead to the consumer being infected with certain brain parasites or diseases such as rabies.