Aspis, Drone |
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Medium-size Monstrous Humanoid
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| Hit Dice: 6d8+6 (33 hp) |
| Initiative: +2 (Dex) |
| Speed: 40 ft |
| AC: 19 (+2 Dex, +5 natural, +2 shields) |
| Attacks:2 short swords +7 melee; or 2 claws +7 melee; or 2 javelins +8 ranged |
| Damage: Short sword 1d6+1; claw 1d4+1; javelin +1d6+1 |
| Face/Reach: 5 ft by 5 ft/ 5ft |
| Special Attacks: |
| Special Qualities: Scent, immune to cold and electricity, fire resistance 20, darkvision 60 ft |
| Saves: Fort +3,
Ref +7, Will +6
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| Abilities: Str 13,
Dex 15, Con 13,
Int 12, Wis 12,
Cha 7 |
| Skills: Balance +9, Climb +8, Hide +5, Listen +8, Move Silently +6, Spot +10 |
| Feats: Alertness, Multidexterity, Multiweapon Fighting |
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| Climate: Any underground |
| Organization: Gang (1-6 drones) or hive (2-20 drones, 6-60 larvae, and 1 cow plus 1-10 giant ants) |
| Challenge Rating: 04 |
| Treasure: Standard |
| Alignment: Always neutral |
| Advancement: 7-12 HD (Medium-Size) |
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The aspis are an insectoid race that dwells in underground nests. They are very reclusive, generally only coming up to the surface to forage and raid for food. They live in small, self-sufficient groups that only rarely deal with other beings. The adult male drones are the only aspis encountered by surface dwellers, as the larvae and cow don’t leave the nest. Aspis are able to eat nearly anything, and favor blood as their preferred drink.
Aspis drones are about 6 feet long and look something like giant weevils. Despite their high intelligence, the drones do not take any independent actions unless they are unable to communicate with their cow. They totally lack any sort of individuality or personality and live only to serve their purpose in the hive. They are fierce warriors, however, and protect the nest from intruders before they even get to the cow. These creatures have a chitinous body of gray or off-white color. Their heads have two multifaceted eyes, two short, blunt antennae, and a long proboscis. Their six legs end in a cluster of fine claws that allow them to manipulate and construct objects.
Aspis drones communicate through a unique form of scent exchange that is completely undetectable by any creature that does not have the Scent special ability. They also know how to simulate any scent by mixing certain concoctions, including pollen and musk. They are able to learn Common and other languages, although only a very small percentage of them actually do.
An aspis nest will never be far below the surface, consisting of sloping tunnels about 4 feet high, that have been bored through soft rock or earth. Any given nest will have 1-3 chambers for storing eggs, 2-4 granaries for storing food, 1-6 grub hatcheries, and a central chamber for the cow.
COMBAT
In combat, an aspis drone can raise up on its two rear legs, using two of its limbs to hold shields, and the other two to hold weapons such as short swords or hand axes. They cannot use any sort of bow, but they can wield thrown weapons. The aspis are fanatically loyal to their cow, and will fight to the death against any odds to protect it. The aspis always defend their tunnels with numerous traps and guards. They commonly use things such as rockfalls, pits, and other crude traps to defend the cow’s chamber.
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1981 Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
Originally found in A1 Slave Pits of the Undercity (1981), Monster Manual II (1983) MC5 Greyhawk Monstrous Compendium (1990). |
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