Asperando

**Asperando** are small amphibians first introduced in Monster Hunter: Outcast. They recklessly charge foes head on and try to crush them with their dense weight.

## Physiology

Asperando are small amphibians, with builds similar to Tetsucabra and Tortelodas. A covering of rough, green skin serves as a basic form of armor. It has red specks. Their tails come to a simple, unadorned point. Arrays of small spines cover their backs, making them painful to bite or touch. Their heads have an obvious and enlarged growth that absorbs impacts cuased by their charging behaviour. They cannot run properly but they can gallop by moving the front legs and back legs at the same time, giving them surprising speed when they wish. Densely packed, they weigh a large amount for a small monster, and are covered in a sticky substance that tastes foul.

## Behavior

Asperando are very fond of the many types of mushrooms found in the Ashen Swamp, most often using their speed to beat rivals to the patches. They don't play well with one another though and will fight over these food sources. This aggression extends to most small monsters, and hunters, but they know not to try and intimidate away other, larger mushroom eaters like Gypceros and Congalala.
When not hunting for mushrooms, Asperando can be found in the many wet areas of the Ashen Swamp, preferring the channels to the raised ground.

### Specific Locale Interactions

Asperando can often be found in the same area as mushroom spots and will attempt to eat them. If they succeed, the spot will be used up.

### Interactions with Other Monsters

While Asperando do remain in the same area as large monsters, they will stop attacking hunters and remain still and hiding instead.

## Abilities

Powerful legs and unique limb joints allow Asperando to gallop at surprising speed, making them among the fastest of amphibians on land (comparitive to body size). They can lash out with their tongues to surprise some foes and devour insects, but normally rely on using their dense bulk to crush smaller enemies. A foul-tasting fluid deters predators.

## Ecological Information

### Ecological Niche

Asperando are the main distributors of mushrooms around the locale, spreading the spores through their dung. However, they aren't very powerful, being low on the foodchain, and must avoid the likes of Gypceros and Congalala who also enjoy eating the mushrooms. They often fall prey to Eeleox too.

### Biological Adaptations

Thick, bristly skin serves as a deterrent to larger monsters, as well as a foul-tasting fluid that covers their hide. Powerful legs mean Asperando can makes its escape more easily. They have sharp noses for identifying the smell of their favourite mushrooms.

## Game Data

### Item Effectiveness

Dung bombs won't make Asperando leave the area but it will make it move away from hunters and try to hide.

## Attacks

* Charge: Asperando rushes at a hunter. It can travel as far as the other side of the area but struggles to turn once moving and may stun itself for a second if it hits a wall.
* Tongue Lash: Asperando lashes its toungue out ahead of itself. Will send any hunter hit rolling towards it.
* Pounce: Asperando leaps up to crush any nearby hunters with its weight. Sends targets hit rolling away and inflicts

## Carves

* Low Rank
* High Rank

## Notes

* Designed as a less annoying version of Rhenoplos and Bullfango
* Name comes from the spanish for "Rough" and "Charging"