ウィザードリィ・外伝IV
胎魔の鼓動





Chimera Lizard
こどくとかげ

An unusual hybrid of multiple organisms that can be encountered in ASCII's 1996 Wizardry Side Story IV: Throb of the Demon's Heart (ウィザードリィ・外伝IV・胎魔の鼓動, Uiza-dorii Gaiden IV: Taima no Kodou) Nintendo Super Famicom roleplaying video game (rpg). The official in-game English translation of the monster's Japanese name is Chimera Lizard, however, while とかげ (tokage) is Japanese for lizard, こどく (kodoku) doesn't mean chimera. The most common definition of こどく is "isolation, loneliness, or solitude", and, more obscurely, the act of "poisoning someone", neither of which has anything to do with chimerae [further, chimera, which is Greek in origin, is usually phonetically spelled キメラ (kimera) in Japanese katakana characters]. I consulted several Japanese dictionaries, both printed and online, and could find no connection between こどく and mythological animals of any sort. While it's obvious from the creature's appearance [as well as that of its close associates, the Chimera Snake (こどくへび, Kodoku Hebi) and Chimera Toad (こどくがえる, Kodoku Gaeru)] that chimera is exactly what the game's artists were going for, the name doesn't seem to match up. It's entirely possible that there's some kind of cultural thing or word/kanji pun going on that I'm just not getting, but, otherwise, I'm at a loss to explain the use of こどく in this case.

For reasons known only to their bewildered psychiatrists, unethical mages with too much time on their hands have a tendency to take up the loathsome hobby of fusing together different organisms to create strange chimerae. Most of these abominations die moments after being joined, but, with enough determination, a steady supply of unfortunate test subjects, and more than a little luck, the heartless spellcaster may eventually stumble upon a combination of creatures that not only survives the horrific process but remains viable enough to breed true. An unlikely amalgamation of reptile, moth, and centipede, the Chimera Lizard is one such specimen.

The Chimera Lizard may be revolting to behold, but, it's not particularly dangerous (they are, after all, only Level 2 creatures). Normally, the bizarre monster scampers about in a prone position, but, when threatened, it balances on its reptilian front legs, spreads its insect wings, and holds its undulating centipede tail aloft, high over its head, which is quite an intimidating display of aggression (the mere sight of an enraged, hissing Chimera Lizard is usually enough to make most predators think twice about attempting to make a meal out of the strange creature). However, if that performance doesn't work, the Chimera Lizard is probably in trouble, because it only has 6-12 (2D4+4) hit points and a rather poor Armor Class of 14 (for comparison, a normal, unarmored human adult has an AC of 10. Note that, in classic Dungeons & Dragons rules, which Wizardry is based upon, the larger your AC number is, the easier you are to hit.) If things look desperate, a Chimera Lizard can attempt to summon another of its kind, by secreting pheromones, to join the battle (30% chance of success, and, while there is no limit to the number of times that reinforcements can be solicited in this manner, no single group of creatures can ever exceed nine members total). Adventurers everywhere should also thank their deity of choice that the creature only has the back half of the giant centipede's anatomy, and not the front, as such, the Chimera Lizard lacks the arthropod's deadly venomous bite. The writhing beast has found another use for its many-legged tail though, namely wrapping the appendage around its' prey and constricting them with it (1D4 damage), not unlike a python. And, while its fluttering wings aren't nearly powerful enough to carry its heavy body aloft for more than a few moments, the monster does use them to slap at its opponents (1D3 damage). Oddly enough, while it could presumably do so, the Chimera Lizard never defends itself by biting or raking with its claws.

Chimera Lizard Japanese: こどくとかげ (Kodoku Tokage)	Unidentified: Wriggling Object Japanese: うごめくぶったい (Ugomeku Buttai)	Classification: Insect Japanese: こんちゅう (Konchuu)
Chimera Lizard Wriggling Object	Experience Level: 2	Experience Points: 300
	Hit Points: 6-12 (2D4+4) Average: 9	Armor Class: 14
	Number Appearing: 1-3 (1D3) Average: 2	Physical Attacks: A: Wing buffet. 1-3 (1D3) damage. Average: 2 B: Tail constrict. 1-4 (1D4) damage. Average: 2.5 S: Not applicable.
	Special Properties: May call for reinforcements (30% success rate). May flee from battle. Vulnerable to sleep, silence, and confusion.	Encounters: Never friendly. Can be found on the first floor (inspect the pot at East 20, North 11) and third basement of the Tower of Disillusionment, as well as the third basement of the Training Grounds. Often accompanied by Chimera Snakes (65% chance.)

Materials:
Newsprint, tissue paper, white glue, acrylic paint, super glue, and transparent plastic (disc base only).

Dimensions:
6.8 cm (2.7") x 8.6 cm (3.4") [widest point x highest point]

Time:
Four days: December 23 and 27-29, 2013.

Below are several mid-construction photos of my Chimera Lizard figure:

For comparison/informational purposes, below are several relevant images:


Rare animal, odd beast.

There is an old-fashioned pot in the corner of the room.
Just stop, turn around, and walk away, you really don't need to know what's inside that thing, okay?


Something is rustling inside the pot.
Sure, let's inspect the weird vessel that's obviously got something alive in it. What could possibly go wrong?


Oops, the lid opened. Something came out!
Who didn't see that coming a mile away?


2 Chimera Lizards (2)

2 Chimera Toads (2)
2 Chimera Lizards (2)

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The midi music playing is the battle theme from Wizardry Gaiden IV: Throb of the Demon's Heart.