Difference between revisions of "Fire Beetle"

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[[File:Fire-beetle.jpg|440px|left|Beetle (fire)]]
 
[[File:Fire-beetle.jpg|440px|left|Beetle (fire)]]
 
{{Bestiarychart
 
{{Bestiarychart
| name = Beetle (fire)
+
| name = Fire Beetle
 
| species = insect (glandulae ignis)
 
| species = insect (glandulae ignis)
 
| noapp = 2–16
 
| noapp = 2–16
 
| behaviour = parasocial
 
| behaviour = parasocial
| range = subterranean
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| range = [[Subterranean (range)|subterranean]]
 
| size = 2½ ft. long
 
| size = 2½ ft. long
 
| weight = 40 lbs.
 
| weight = 40 lbs.
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| attack = pincers
 
| attack = pincers
 
| dmg = 2–8
 
| dmg = 2–8
| special = create light
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| special = [[Calling|calling]], [[Fire Beetle Glands|glands]]
 
}}
 
}}
  
These subterranean beetles are carnivorous meat-eaters that will strip a body to its bones within a few days, consuming even the entrails in their voraciousness.
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These subterranean beetles are carnivorous meat-eaters, able to strip a body to its bones within a few days, consuming even the entrails in their voraciousness.  Attacks are usually initiated by a single creature, which when hurt will release '''a pheromone into the air calling others''' of its nest. Within a few rounds, the arriving beetles will swarm intruders. Fire beetles are dangerous to 1st level parties.
  
Every 10–15 months, once a fire beetle obtains a large enough host (at least 150 lbs), it will partially cocoon the body in strands of a fibrous, waxy substance that the beetle produces, inject it with its eggs and bury it. Typically, this will result in the birth of 4–40 fire beetle larvae. Those larvae that mature the fastest will eat their own kind, resulting in a brood that is typically about a dozen fire beetles in number.
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Every 10–15 months, a fire beetle obtains a large host for its eggs (at least 150 lbs) and kills it.  It will then cocoon the body in strands of a fibrous, waxy mucus that the beetle produces; then the body is injected with eggs and buried. A brood of 4–40 fire beetle larvae will occur. Those larva that emerge first and achieve full movement will eat the others, producing 14 to 16 fat larva that are hot to the touch; these will become beetles in about a week.
  
The fibrous waxy substance that they produce from their mouths is a mucus that is created from eating wooden roots and plants, typically that have grown down from the surface. This mucus is deposited slowly over time, emerging as a slime but become flexible. The beetles will cover all the parts of their lair that is used continuously in this substance, which will be spongy to walk on but have no appreciable effects on combat.
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Their mucus is created from eating subterranean roots and plants. The beetle will spread this mucus throughout their lair, creating a waxy surface that will cover floors, walls and ceiling, and cover any objects laying about their chosen lair.  The stiffened mucis is spongy to walk on but have no appreciable effects on combat.
  
Attacks are usually initiated by a single creature, which when hurt will release a pheromone into the air that will call others of its nest. Within a few rounds, the remaining beetles will swarm intruders. Fire beetles are dangerous to 1<sup>st</sup> level parties.
+
Fire beetles have '''two glands''' that are located above or below the eyes, depending on the variety. These will give off a red glow to a radius of 25 ft., which when reflected by the mucus layer will produce [[Illumination|conditions similar to full moonlight]].  This makes the beetle somewhat vulnerable to [[Intelligence (ability stat)|intelligent]] creatures.  However, those carrying the glands should also be concerned, for the light will also emit a pheromone attracting other fire beetles.  If the glands are removed within two hours of the beetle's death, they will continue to glow for 3-36 hours; if left in the body, the rotting beetle's corpse will cause the glands to sour.
  
Fire beetles have two glands that may be located above or below the eyes, depending on the variety. These will give off a red glow, which will be collected by the mucus covering upon the nest so as to produce daylight conditions for seeing. This makes the beetle more vulnerable to [[Intelligence (ability stat)|intelligent]] creatures, but the light will often draw in less intelligent creatures that can then be killed and eaten. The glands must be removed within a few hours of the beetle's death, else the beetle's biology will cause the gland to rot. Often, however, other fire beetles will consume the dead before this happens. Once the glands are removed, they will continue to glow for 3–36 hours, unless sustained with the cantrips [[Freshen (cantrip)|freshen]], [[Polish (cantrip)|polish]] or [[Warm (cantrip)|warm]] — whereupon the gland's illumination will last for 2–8 days. If the gland is drained by an alchemist while still glowing, the fragile substance inside is an important ingredient in a number of potions and magic items. Active glands can fetch between 5–15 g.p. each, depending on the market.
+
Left alone, the light of the beetle's gland will equal that of a torch; however, if the cantrips [[Freshen (cantrip)|freshen]], [[Polish (cantrip)|polish]] or [[Warm (cantrip)|warm]] are cast on the glands, this illumination will last for 2-8 days. If the gland is drained by an alchemist while still glowing, the fragile substance inside is an important ingredient for potions and magic items. Active glands can fetch between 5–15 g.p. each, depending on the market.
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See [[Bestiary]]
  
 
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[[Category: Sensory Intelligence]]
See [[Bestiary]].
 

Latest revision as of 00:00, 30 June 2022

Beetle (fire)
Fire Beetle
Species insect (glandulae ignis)
No. Appearing 2–16
Behaviour parasocial
Range subterranean
Size 2½ ft. long
Weight 40 lbs.
Intelligence 0
Armour Class 4
Hit Dice 1+2
Action Points 5
Max. Stride {{{stride}}}
THAC0 20
Hp/Die d4
Attack Forms pincers
Damage 2–8
Special Attacks calling, glands

These subterranean beetles are carnivorous meat-eaters, able to strip a body to its bones within a few days, consuming even the entrails in their voraciousness. Attacks are usually initiated by a single creature, which when hurt will release a pheromone into the air calling others of its nest. Within a few rounds, the arriving beetles will swarm intruders. Fire beetles are dangerous to 1st level parties.

Every 10–15 months, a fire beetle obtains a large host for its eggs (at least 150 lbs) and kills it. It will then cocoon the body in strands of a fibrous, waxy mucus that the beetle produces; then the body is injected with eggs and buried. A brood of 4–40 fire beetle larvae will occur. Those larva that emerge first and achieve full movement will eat the others, producing 14 to 16 fat larva that are hot to the touch; these will become beetles in about a week.

Their mucus is created from eating subterranean roots and plants. The beetle will spread this mucus throughout their lair, creating a waxy surface that will cover floors, walls and ceiling, and cover any objects laying about their chosen lair. The stiffened mucis is spongy to walk on but have no appreciable effects on combat.

Fire beetles have two glands that are located above or below the eyes, depending on the variety. These will give off a red glow to a radius of 25 ft., which when reflected by the mucus layer will produce conditions similar to full moonlight. This makes the beetle somewhat vulnerable to intelligent creatures. However, those carrying the glands should also be concerned, for the light will also emit a pheromone attracting other fire beetles. If the glands are removed within two hours of the beetle's death, they will continue to glow for 3-36 hours; if left in the body, the rotting beetle's corpse will cause the glands to sour.

Left alone, the light of the beetle's gland will equal that of a torch; however, if the cantrips freshen, polish or warm are cast on the glands, this illumination will last for 2-8 days. If the gland is drained by an alchemist while still glowing, the fragile substance inside is an important ingredient for potions and magic items. Active glands can fetch between 5–15 g.p. each, depending on the market.

See Bestiary