Sunday, November 25, 2018

Fire Scorpion

It was pointed out to me by Rovewin of Athas.org, that fire scorpions are listed in the encounter tables in "Terrors Beyond Tyr." However, they are not presented in any of the books. So, in an effort to rectify the situation, I have created a fire scorpion below.
Based upon where the creature is placed in the encounter tables, I have made this monster dangerous, but not overly powerful. 

"Get over here!" - Scorpion
Stats after the jump.




Fire Scorpion
Climate/Terrain: Anywhere
Frequency: Uncommon
Organization: Swarm
Activity Cycle: Night
Diet:Carnivore
Intelligence: Non- (0)
Treasure: D
Alignment: Neutral
No. Appearing: 1d4
Armor Class: 4
Movement: 12
Hit Dice: 3+3
Thac0: 18
No. of Attacks: 3
Damage/Attacks: 1-6/1-6/1-2
Special Attack: Poison Sting
Special Defense: Nil
Magic Resistance: Nil
Size: S (3' long)
Morale: Average (9)
XP Value: 420

Fire Scorpion
Fire scorpions are scorpions with a bright red carapace with dark red claws and stinger. Their stinger is comparably larger stinger compared to other scorpions of similar size. These scorpions were named fire scorpions, not just due to their bright red color, but also due to the extremely painful venom they inject into their victims. Fire scorpions are nocturnal and can be found anywhere their food sources live, but they prefer warm, dry climates.

Combat
Fire scorpions are 90% likely to attack any creature that approaches. The creature has a hard, chitinous carapace that gives it Armor Class 4. This monster attacks by grabbing prey with its two pincers, inflicting 1-6 points of damage each, while it lashes forward with its tail to sting. Thus, it can fight three opponents at once.
The sting inflicts 1-2 points of damage and the victim must save versus poison (type C, but instant). Failure also racks the victim with extreme pain, as the victim feels like fire is burning through their veins. Victims must save versus poison again, or be unable to act for 1d4 rounds due to the pain.
Note that scorpions are not immune to their own poison. If a scorpion is reduced to 1 or 2 hit points, it will go into a stinging frenzy, stinging everything in sight, gaining two attempts to hit per round with only the tail. Slain creatures are dragged to the scorpion’s burrow to be eaten.

Habitat/Society
Fire scorpions live in underground burrows or dungeons. Each lair may (20%) have 5d4 scorpion eggs. These beasts eat any living creature that is unfortunate enough to stray too close to their lair. Any treasure found comes from the bodies of human or demihuman victims that have been dragged here to be consumed. Armor is rarely found intact, since the scorpion will surely have used its pincers to cut up its prey.

Ecology
These arachnids contribute to the ecosystem by feeding, usually, on insects. They themselves are prey for larger creatures. Alchemists and assassins prize the scorpion’s venom because of its potency.

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