Snallygaster

Snallygasters are creatures found in Appalachia in 2102.

Background
The snallygaster is the horrifying result of experiments with the Forced Evolutionary Virus. According to documentation found at the West Tek Research Center near Huntersville, West Virginia, the snallygaster was a creation of the Advanced Mutations lab during the Phase 2 project caused by the introduction of the FEVS-006443 combination strain. Originally dubbed subject AM52, the experiment was noted as a success on October 14, 2077.

Biology
A quadripedal creature. When stationary, the snallygaster will use two small limbs on the back of its body to sit. It has two arms with three claws each, of which one is an opposable thumb. It has no proper face but has a mouth with a long tentacle-like tongue covered in a acid has multiple eyes along its back. A snallygaster will use its tongue like a whip up close and spit balls of acid at a range.

It has been described as being "a dragon-like demon that haunts an area outside of neighboring DC."

Gameplay attributes
Snallygasters will attack players at sight or any other creature perceived as a threat. They will attack, most often, at a distance by spitting acid drool on their opponents and use their long tongue like a whip to hit them if they are too close.

They can be found in irradiated areas resulting from nuclear weapons strikes as well as in large numbers in some areas of the Toxic Valley and Savage Divide where they will be found in small groups of 2 to 4 individuals.

Scorched snallygaster
A snallygaster that has been infected with the Scorched Plague.

Locations

 * Charleston, near the base of the collasped skyscraper.
 * Federal disposal field HZ-21
 * Toxic dried lakebed

Appearances
Snallygasters appear only in Fallout 76.

Behind the scenes
The Snallygaster follows the idea established in other Fallout 76 monsters in that it is based on local legend. However, the legend of the Snallygaster is more within the area of Frederick County, Maryland. The snallygaster is said to be a dragon-like beast and its first sighting happened in the 18th century by German immigrants. It was described as half-bird and half-reptile with a metallic beak with razor sharp teeth and occasionally said to have tentacles. The earliest stories claim that this monster sucked the blood out of victims. Seven pointed stars reputedly kept the monster at bay, some of which can still be seen painted on barns in the area.