The Black Plague «Firebugs»

The Black Plague «Firebugs»
The Black Plague «Firebugs»

Creature Metadata

Reported By
John M. Maxstadt
Source
Dragon Magazine 108
Role
Monster
Base Stock
Black hearth cricket
MCC Stat Block
Firebugs 'The Black Plague' (2d8 (9)): Init +3; atk bite melee +6 (1d10+4) and squirt +2 (1d5, 8'); AC 16; HD 6D7 hp 24 each; MV 15' or Fly 313' ; 1d20; SV Fort +0, Ref +0, Will +0
Mutations
Absorption (heat), force field generation, heat generation (variant), heightened vision, taller, and a unique mutation (incendiary spittle)

Combat & Physical Stats

Number Appearing
2d8
Morale
6
Hit Dice
HD 6D7
Armor
6 (AC 16)
Size
Large 3m Long
Movement
MV 15' or Fly 313'
Attack
Bite melee +6 (1d10+4)
Squirt +2 (1d5, 8')

Ability Scores

MS:
11
PS:
21
IN:
8
DX:
11
CH:
6
CN:
12

Ecology & Logistics

Frequency
Rare
Organization
Swarm
Activity Cycle
Night
Diet
Grasses and Grains
Habitat
Mostly cultivated fields, as well as meadows and grasslands
Tech Level
0 - 0
Artifacts
Unknown

Description (Initial Observations): These vicious and destructive pests delight in ravaging fields cultivated by humans and humanoids. They attack anyone or anything that tries to interfere with them. They can bite, but more frequently they spit a glob of highly volatile, Greek-fire-like liquid that ignites on contact with open air. It hits any unob- structed target within 8 m and burns for 2d6 damage (unless the target is immune to heat and fire). It continues to burn for 5 Action Turns, doing 2d6 damage per turn, unless it is smothered out. To do this, the creature must roll on the ground for a full Action Turn; water (excepting full immer- sion) or cyrokinesis wont put out this fire. Firebugs can spit this liquid once every four Action Turns. The bodies of firebugs are also very hot, and any creature touch- ing them takes 1d4 damage the extent of their heat generation powers.Most communities plagued by firebugs resign themselves to the loss of part of their grain. But firebugs are destructive by inclination as well as by ecological niche. They sometimes burn a field or attack a harmless passer-by out of sheer vicious- ness. They are also extraordinarily vindic- tive and typically respond to the loss of a fight by burning down the nearest village. Firebugs are also arrogant and seldom retreat from a fight. When they do flee, they are nearly impossible to catch, even though flightless, as they put up their force fields and hop 50 m in one jump, 5 times per Action Turn (ten times at fast speed).Firebugs are glossy black in color, with orange-red eyes like burning coals.

Behavior & Society

Reactions
No known interactions
Behavior
Behavior modeling incomplete
Repair & Healing
Behavior not recorded
Society
Anthropological studies incomplete

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