Hermit lab

The hermit lab, known in Japan as the sazae inu, is a character in Magical Starsign. It is a miniboss on Cassia, fought at Lover's Cove.

Profile
The hermit lab is a dog with a shell on its back. It possesses a snark smile, and has the upper part of its body hidden under a large shell with spikes.

Miniboss
Despite having the water starsign, the hermit lab does not possess any spells. Its only means of attack is tackle, striking a random member of the party. It can retreat into its shell with the skill cower, which reduces all damage by 75%, but prevents it from attacking. When using emerge, it leaves its shell, allowing it to attack in the following turns.

Bestiary entry
The hermit lab is a simple beast with simple tastes: making mischief, swiping stuff, and scratching. Some say it's a messenger of the Dragon God.

Magical Starsign
The hermit lab was found abandoned as a puppy by Angus and Malcolm, who adopted him as a pet. Prior to the protagonist and Lassi arriving on Cassia, the hermit lab stole various items from the otters who lived in Pescato. One of these items was Mick's toolbox key. When Mick was unable to find his toolbox key, and thus unable to access his spare battery for his heater, he attacked Mokka to harvest his head as a backup. When the protagonist and Lassi found out he was using Mokka's head as a replacement battery, they feuded with Mick, eventually getting him to agree to give it back if they were to reacquire his key.

At the same time they were talking, the hermit lab covertly entered Mick's house and stole more items from his dresser, which Lassi noticed. When Lassi and the protagonist exited the home, they observed the hermit lab stealing from a different house and attacking two other otters. Upon arriving at Lover's Cove, the duo found the hermit lab hidden behind what appeared to be a massive monster, though they discovered it was simply a large tree when Lassi used her wind magic to clear the storm. When they confronted and defeated it, it placed three signs expressing its apologies for stealing from the people of Pescato, and returned the items. The lab then returned to Angus and Malcolm's home.

Trivia

 * Its name is a combination of 'hermit crab' and 'Labrador'.
 * Its Japanese name, sazae inu, comes from サザエ sazae (turban-shelled mollusk) and 犬 inu (dog).