The Brood Terror is a grotesque and fearsome creature, a result of twisted ratfolk breeding experiments and gluttonous feeding practices. These massive rats are the culmination of years of selective breeding to create beasts of unrivaled size and strength. The Brood Terrors have grown to colossal proportions, standing at almost ten feet tall and stretching over fifteen feet in length, their bloated and heavy frames making them a formidable sight to behold.
These monstrous rats possess a voracious appetite and will consume anything set before them, from carcasses of fallen foes to whole bales of hay. Their insatiable hunger fuels their immense size and strength, and it is this gluttonous nature that makes them both valuable and dangerous to their ratfolk masters. Brood Terrors serve as powerful steeds for ratfolk riders, carrying them into battle with overwhelming force, trampling enemies underfoot with their massive bulk.
The Brood Terrors are covered in a thick, leathery hide that is heavily protected by layers of bloated fat. This fat not only makes them incredibly resilient to physical attacks but also insulates them against various elements, making them well-suited to traversing harsh terrains. Their ability to absorb and shrug off blows from traditional weapons renders most swords, spears, and arrows useless against them. Only the most potent and well-crafted weapons can hope to pierce their formidable defenses.
Despite their brute strength and ferocious appearance, the Brood Terrors are not mindless beasts. They possess a cunning intelligence that is often underestimated by their foes. Their ratfolk breeders have ensured that these colossal rats retain enough intelligence to follow commands and perform in battle with strategic precision. As a result, they can be directed to execute tactical maneuvers, charge at specific targets, or defend their ratfolk masters when needed.
In ratfolk culture, the Brood Terrors are a symbol of power and dominance. Ratfolk warriors who can tame and ride these colossal creatures are highly respected, and their presence alone is often enough to strike terror into the hearts of enemies. However, their breeding and feeding have made them expensive and challenging to maintain, limiting their numbers to a select few within the ratfolk communities.
Despite their terrifying reputation, the Brood Terrors remain fiercely loyal to their ratfolk handlers. This loyalty is born not only from the bond formed during training but also from the plentiful feedings they receive from their masters. The bond between the ratfolk and their Brood Terrors is strong, and the riders are often the only ones capable of calming the otherwise aggressive and unpredictable creatures.
As the Brood Terrors continue to prowl the war-torn battlefields and shadowy corners of ratfolk settlements, their bloated forms serve as a warning to those who dare to challenge the might of the ratfolk and their terrifying creations. Few beings can stand against the fury of a Brood Terror, and even fewer live to tell the tale. The Brood Terrors have become a living embodiment of the ratfolk's strength and determination to protect their way of life at all costs.