Rattlers

Rattlers

"Ground started shakin'. Thought it was an earthquake 'til I saw the sand erupt and those tentacles come reaching up like the Devil's own fingers."

What Are They?

Out in the desert, when you feel the ground start to rumble beneath your feet and your teeth start chattering in your skull, you've got exactly one choice: run for the rocks. Run fast, run hard, and pray you make it before the sand explodes and something the size of a locomotive bursts up from below.

Rattlers are massive subterranean worms that tunnel through sand and soft earth with terrifying speed, hunting anything that moves across their territory. They earned their name honestly—when one's moving beneath you, the vibrations make your teeth rattle together and your bones shake. By the time you feel that distinctive rumbling, you're already in mortal danger.

These creatures are enormous beyond belief. The smallest rattlers measure ten yards from mouth to tail. The largest? Some prospectors claim to have seen worms stretching over a hundred yards, though most folks dismiss such tales as desert fever and too much whiskey. Then those same folks see a rattler for themselves and suddenly those wild stories don't seem so wild anymore.

The strangest thing about rattlers is that they're accepted. Unlike most abominations that folks try to keep quiet or deny entirely, rattlers are common knowledge throughout the West. Settlers talk about them the way they talk about tornadoes or blizzards—as a natural hazard of life on the frontier. People Back East think Westerners are exaggerating when they describe giant underground worms. Locals know better.

Appearance

Imagine a worm the size of a train tunnel. Now cover it in thick, fleshy hide the color of sand-bleached bone or wet clay. Give it a mouth that could swallow a stagecoach whole. Fill that mouth with rows of saw-toothed fangs arranged in concentric circles like some nightmarish meat grinder. Surround that mouth with eight to twelve writhing tentacles, each one as thick as a man's thigh and a quarter as long as the worm's entire body.

That's a rattler.

The head—if you can call it that—is essentially a ring of tentacles surrounding a circular maw filled with teeth. The tentacles are fleshy, muscular appendages capable of incredible strength and surprising dexterity. They can snag a running horse, crush a man's ribs, or delicately probe the ground above looking for vibrations that indicate prey.

The body itself is segmented, with rings of muscle that ripple as the creature moves through sand and earth. The hide is tough, about an inch thick in places, providing natural armor that turns aside all but the most powerful bullets. The creature's size varies tremendously—smaller specimens might be "only" ten yards long and as thick as a barrel, while the true monsters stretch fifty yards or more and measure six feet across at their widest point.

You rarely see a rattler's full length. Mostly you see the head erupting from the sand, tentacles flailing, that terrible mouth agape. The rest of the body stays underground, anchored in the earth for leverage as the creature drags prey down into its maw.

Regional Variations

Not all rattlers are the same. Different regions produce different breeds with distinct characteristics and hunting behaviors.

Mojave Rattlers

The Mojave Desert is home to the most common and arguably the most dangerous variety. Mojave rattlers are aggressive hunters that go straight for the kill with no subtlety or hesitation. They're the largest of the rattler species, capable of reaching truly monstrous sizes.

These worms are colored in shades of tan, brown, and grey—perfect camouflage for desert sand. When they hunt, they do it with brutal efficiency: detect prey, close distance underground, burst up through the sand, snag the target, drag it down, devour. No games, no waiting, just raw predatory power.

Montana Rattlers

The rattlers that inhabit the isolated flatlands of Montana are skulkers and ambush predators. Unlike their Mojave cousins, these worms prefer to wait beneath game trails and water sources, lying dormant for days until prey walks directly overhead.

Montana rattlers are darker in color—deep browns and blacks that blend with prairie soil. They're patient hunters who've learned that waiting beats chasing, and they'll let smaller prey pass by if they sense something bigger coming along later.

Utah Salt Rattlers

The Great Salt Flats of Utah host the craftiest rattlers of all. These specimens are smaller than their Mojave relatives but considerably faster, and they've developed an odd fixation: they love chasing steam wagons across the flats.

Local engineers claim these rattlers have learned to predict routes and set ambushes at narrow passes or weak points in the salt crust. Some even suggest the worms coordinate with each other—an unsettling thought given how dangerous a single rattler can be.

Badlands Worm Cultists

The rattlers of the Dakota Badlands are something else entirely. These worms have formed an alliance with a human cult led by a mad sorceress named "Queen" Ursula. The cult worships the rattlers, makes regular human sacrifices, and in return receives the worms' protection and hunting assistance.

These Badlands rattlers have demonstrated the clearest evidence of true intelligence, communicating complex demands and displaying long-term planning abilities that should terrify anyone who knows about them.

Where You'll Find Them

Rattlers inhabit areas with specific geological requirements:

• Mojave Desert—the primary habitat, with the highest concentration of rattlers
• Utah Salt Flats—home to the faster, craftier variety
• Montana flatlands—isolated prairies with deep, soft soil
• Dakota Badlands—particularly Worm Canyon, where cultists worship them
• Any area with deep sand or soft earth—they need terrain they can tunnel through

Rattlers cannot tunnel through solid rock. If you're crossing rattler territory and feel that telltale rumbling, your only hope is to reach rocky ground before the creature surfaces. Bare stone, solid bedrock, even a thick layer of hardpan clay—any of these will stop a rattler cold. The worms know this and position themselves to cut off access to such refuges when hunting.

Hunting Behavior

Rattlers hunt by sensing vibrations in the ground. It's a remarkably effective system that allows them to detect and track prey with frightening accuracy.

Vibrational Sense

A rattler can detect a walking man up to 200 yards away through the vibrations his footsteps create. Horses double that range to 400 yards. Wagons and stagecoaches? Triple it—600 yards of detection range.

This is an opposed Cognition versus sneak roll. If you're trying to move stealthily, you might fool the worm's senses—but remember that running applies a -4 penalty to sneak rolls, and crossing rattler territory at a careful walk is both time-consuming and nerve-wracking.

The vibrations tell the rattler more than just location. An experienced worm can determine the size of prey, its speed, and even its general condition from the patterns in the earth. A horse pulling a heavy wagon creates a different signature than a lone rider at full gallop.

The Attack

When a rattler decides to strike, it moves with shocking speed. Underground, these creatures have a Pace of 18—that's faster than a running horse, and they're doing it while burrowing through compacted sand.

The attack sequence is terrifyingly efficient:

1. The rattler closes to point-blank range while still underground
2. The sand erupts as the creature bursts upward, mouth and tentacles leading
3. Tentacles lash out to snag prey (this requires a surprise check with a -4 penalty if you didn't recognize the rumbling)
4. Once snagged, the victim is dragged toward the crushing maw
5. The worm pulls prey underground to finish eating in safety

The tentacles have a Strength of 3d12—enough to grapple and hold just about anything short of a steam wagon. Getting caught by a rattler tentacle is essentially a death sentence unless you've got tremendous strength or friends willing to help.

Focused Hunting

Despite having multiple tentacles, rattlers almost always focus on a single target unless their prey is very close together (like a horse and rider). The worm identifies what it considers the best meal and commits to that choice with single-minded determination.

This focus can be tactically exploited—a group traveling together might have one person draw the rattler's attention while others escape or counterattack. Of course, whoever draws that attention is facing down a creature that can swallow them whole.

Combat Capabilities

Fighting a rattler is one of the most dangerous encounters in the Weird West. These creatures combine overwhelming size, incredible strength, natural armor, and lethal weaponry into a package that can destroy entire wagon trains.

Devastating Power

Strength 6d12+20. Let that number sink in. That's enough raw power to flip a stagecoach, drag a full-grown bull underground, or crush a man's bones to powder. When those tentacles wrap around you, breaking free requires a successful opposed Strength roll—and good luck beating 6d12+20 with your 2d6 or 3d8.

If the rattler gets a raise on that opposed Strength roll, it begins dragging prey toward its maw at a rate of 1 yard per success. Most victims are pulled into biting range in two or three rounds, and once you're in that mouth, you're done.

That Bite

Bite damage: 2d20. That's not a typo. A rattler's mouth is a circular meat grinder filled with rows of saw-toothed fangs, and when it clamps down on prey, the damage is catastrophic. Most people don't survive a single bite. Those who do are usually missing limbs or have injuries so severe they wish they hadn't survived.

Size and Armor

Size 10-20 means these creatures can absorb tremendous punishment. A Size 10 rattler (on the smaller end) can take multiple serious wounds and keep fighting. A Size 20 monster is virtually unkillable by conventional means—you'd need artillery or dynamite to even slow it down.

Natural Armor 1 means every attack against the creature has its damage reduced. Combined with the Size, this makes rattlers incredibly durable targets that can shrug off gunfire that would kill a dozen men.

Tentacle Resilience

The tentacles themselves are Size 5-10 and can each take 3 wounds before becoming useless. Here's the real problem: bullets and impaling weapons (arrows, spears, etc.) do only 1 point of damage to tentacles. Shotgun blasts do 2 points. Only cutting weapons (swords, axes, knives) do full damage.

This means shooting a tentacle to free a grabbed ally is largely ineffective. You need someone with a blade willing to get close enough to hack at the tentacle while the rattler thrashes and tries to drag its prey down.

Underground Advantage

While burrowing, rattlers have a sneak skill of 2d8. That might not sound impressive until you remember they're moving at Pace 18 underground. They can reposition, flank, or retreat beneath the earth while prey has no idea where they are.

Surface movement is much slower (Pace 6), so rattlers prefer to stay underground except when actually attacking. This makes them incredibly difficult to track or predict.

How to Survive Them

Killing a rattler is exceptionally difficult and requires either overwhelming firepower or clever tactics. Surviving an encounter, on the other hand, has some proven strategies.

Tactics That Work

1. Stay on Rocky Ground: Plan your route to keep you on or near solid rock as much as possible. It's slower going, but infinitely safer.

2. Watch for Warning Signs: That rumbling isn't instant—you usually get a few seconds warning before the worm surfaces. Use those seconds. Move fast.

3. Spread Out: Rattlers focus on single targets. A spread-out group makes the worm commit to one victim, giving others time to escape or counterattack.

4. Target the Tentacles: Use cutting weapons on the tentacles if someone gets grabbed. Swords, axes, even large knives do full damage. Hack through 3 wounds worth and the tentacle is useless.

5. Aim for the Mouth: The mouth and throat are less armored than the body. If you're going to shoot a rattler, aim for the open maw when it strikes.

6. Use Explosives: Dynamite, nitroglycerin, anything that causes massive damage in a single explosion. Regular bullets are largely ineffective, but a well-placed stick of dynamite can kill even a large rattler.

7. Don't Fight Unless Necessary: Escape is almost always the better option. Rattlers are incredibly dangerous opponents—even if you win, casualties are likely.

8. Move at Night: Rattlers hunt by vibration, not sight. They're just as effective at night, but you can see better during the day. Still, nighttime travel means you might not spot rocky refuge in time.

Killing One

If you absolutely must kill a rattler, here's what works:

• Heavy explosives—Multiple sticks of dynamite planted in the worm's path
• Artillery—If you have access to a cannon, it's your best bet
• Concentrated rifle fire—Multiple shooters with heavy rifles all firing at the mouth/throat
• Mad science weapons—Flamethrowers, chemical weapons, experimental devices
• Traps—Some enterprising souls have killed rattlers by luring them into pre-dug pits or over buried explosives

Remember: you need to inflict massive trauma to vital areas. Body shots largely bounce off the armor and Size. Go for the mouth, throat, or tentacle bases where the creature is more vulnerable.

Rattler Signs and Lore

Experienced desert travelers know how to read the signs that indicate rattler presence:

• Disturbed sand—Large areas where the sand has been churned up from below
• Disappearing livestock—Cattle, horses, even entire wagon teams vanishing without trace
• Vibrations in the ground—That rhythmic rumbling that makes your teeth chatter
• Lack of other predators—Areas where wolves, coyotes, and bears are scarce (they know better)
• Abandoned camps—Sites where travelers clearly left in a hurry, possessions scattered
• Bloodstains without bodies—The worm drags prey underground, leaving only evidence of the struggle

Rattler Hides and Economics

Despite the danger, some trappers hunt young rattlers for their hides. A single rattler hide can fetch $2 per yard when sold to leather workers and hatband makers. The hide is thick, durable, and has an unusual texture that's become fashionable in some circles.

The problem, of course, is that hunting baby rattlers tends to anger the parents. Many a trapper has found himself face-to-face with a hundred-foot mother rattler who objected strongly to her offspring being skinned. The smart ones run. The greedy ones become statistics.

Some enterprising Mad Scientists have experimented with using rattler hide for armor, with mixed results. It's tough enough to stop bullets, but it's also heavy, inflexible, and smells terrible even after extensive treatment.

Survivor Accounts

From the diary of Prospector James "Lucky" Sullivan:

"April 12, 1876. Lost three men today to one of those damned worms. We were crossing the Mojave, maybe two days from Panamint, when the ground started shaking. Old Pete—he'd been out West twenty years—he knew what it was immediately. Started screaming at us to run for the rocks. But Jenkins was new, didn't understand. Stood there like a fool asking what was happening. Sand exploded right beneath him. Never even got to scream. One second he was there, next he was gone—just a hole in the sand and this tentacle thick as my leg disappearing down. Morrison tried to help, grabbed Jenkins' arm, got pulled down too. Pete and I ran. Made it to a boulder pile maybe fifty yards away, watched that thing surface fully. God Almighty, it must've been forty yards long. Mouth like a mineshaft filled with teeth. We waited there three hours before it burrowed back down. Found Jenkins' hat later, soaked in blood. Nothing else. I've seen a lot in twenty years of prospecting, but I'll never forget the sound Morrison made when those tentacles grabbed him. Never cross the Mojave without knowing where the rocks are. That's my advice. And if the ground starts rumbling, don't ask questions. Just run."

Official Agency report from Field Agent Marcus Webb:

"Investigation of missing stagecoach, Mojave Desert route. Located debris field approximately three miles southwest of last known position. Evidence suggests rattler attack—massive displacement of sand, blood trails leading into disturbed areas, personal effects scattered across hundred-yard radius. No bodies recovered, as is typical with rattler predation. What concerns me most about this incident: the attack occurred on established trail, well within sight of rocky refuge. Survivors (two passengers who reached the rocks) report the rattler appeared to position itself between the coach and nearest stone outcropping, cutting off escape. This suggests premeditated ambush and tactical thinking beyond what we've attributed to these creatures. I'm beginning to suspect the stories about rattler intelligence are not exaggerated. If these creatures are capable of planning and coordination, they're far more dangerous than we've assessed. Recommend all Agency personnel operating in rattler territory travel in heavily armed groups and treat these abominations as intelligent adversaries, not mindless predators. Also recommend further investigation into reports of rattler-worshiping cults in the Badlands—if humans are coordinating with these creatures, the threat level escalates considerably."

Troubleshooter Tips

1. Know Your Route: Before crossing rattler country, map out rocky areas and plan your path to never be more than a short sprint from stone refuge.

2. Travel Light: Speed matters when running from a rattler. Heavy packs and equipment slow you down when seconds count.

3. Recognize the Rumble: That teeth-chattering vibration is your only warning. Learn to recognize it immediately and react without hesitation.

4. Carry Cutting Weapons: Guns are largely useless against rattlers. A good cavalry saber or large knife is worth more than a rifle.

5. Don't Camp in Sandy Areas: Make camp on rocky ground whenever possible. Rattlers can't burrow up through solid stone.

6. Watch for Disturbed Sand: Large areas of churned earth indicate recent rattler activity. Avoid these zones.

7. Move in Groups: Lone travelers are easy pickings. Groups can spread out and provide mutual support if attacked.

8. Bring Explosives: If you're planning to actually fight a rattler rather than run, bring dynamite. Lots of it.

9. Respect Local Warnings: If locals say an area is dangerous rattler territory, believe them. They've earned that knowledge the hard way.

10. Have an Escape Plan: Before entering any sandy area, identify multiple routes to rocky ground. Never let yourself get boxed in with no refuge available.

"When the ground starts shakin', don't stand around wonderin' what it is. Just run for the rocks and pray you make it in time."