Nasobeme
“Plate X” © Gerolf Steiner. Accessed at “The Snouters” here
[I could have done a whole suite of snouters, but I limited myself to just one. I was on the fence about whether they should be aberrations or animals. I came down on aberrations, because anatomy Does Not Work That Way.]
Nasobeme This creature is a rodent-like creature the size of a small dog, walking face down on four stout tentacles growing from its snout. Its forelegs are long and end in nimble paws, and it has a ribbon-like prehensile tail.
Nasobemes are a type of snouter, strange creatures that blur the line between animal and aberration. Snouters are uncommon creatures, typically only found on remote tropical islands or in the collections of scholars. All snouters have muscular, sensitive noses, which in different species can serve as legs, tentacles, anchoring points, mucus-secreting traps or burrowing organs. A nasobeme walks on its nose tentacles, allowing its forelegs to act as nimble hands and its hindlegs to dwindle to remnants. A nasobeme also uses its powerful tail as a manipulator, giving it three hands with which to interact with its environment.
Nasobemes are generalist herbivores, feeding on tropical fruits and nuts. They live in communal nests, and nasobemes typically travel in groups in order to keep an eye out for predators. Nasobemes use their tails to swing from tree branches, and they typically nest in hollow trees. Nasobemes are incredibly curious creatures, and they are fond of stealing colorful, shiny or oddly shaped objects from travelers. These packrat tendencies make a nasobeme nest a clutter of miscellaneous debris, although sometimes useful treasures can be gleaned from the trash.
A nasobeme stands about three feet tall, with a tail that stretches down to the ground. A nasobeme can be taken as a familiar. A nasobeme familiar grants its master a +3 on Sleight of Hand checks.