trav_laney
First Post
I really liked Babomb's suggestion of having a swarm of insects as a familiar. Obviously, this type of creature would be too powerful to be a level one familiar, but for spellcasters who have taken the Improved Familiar feat, this would be awesome. So I took the SRD stats for a swarm of spiders, and tweaked it to make it more "universal."
I'm imagining a lich, who surrounds himself with a twitching, scurrying swarm of centipedes. Or a drow wizard with a swarm of spiders hidden within the folds of his robes and cloak. (shudder)
I'm imagining a lich, who surrounds himself with a twitching, scurrying swarm of centipedes. Or a drow wizard with a swarm of spiders hidden within the folds of his robes and cloak. (shudder)
Code:
Swarm Familiar (Flying)
(Diminutive Magical Beast [Swarm])
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Hit Dice: 2d8 (9 hp)
Initiative: +3
Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares), fly 20 ft. (perfect)
Armor Class: 17 (+4 size, +3 Dex)
BAT/Grapple: +1/—
Attack: Swarm (1d6) or
Swarm (1d6 + poison), poisonous insects only
Full Attack: Swarm (1d6)
Swarm (1d6 + poison), poisonous insects only
Space/Reach: 10 ft./0 ft.
SA: Distraction, poison
SQ: Darkvision 60 ft., swarm traits, vermin traits
Saves: Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +0
Abilities: Str 1, Dex 17, Con 10, Int 6, Wis 10, Cha 2
Skills*: Climb +11, Listen +4, Spot +4
CR: 1
Use the above stats for swarms of flying insects, including
those which can both fly and crawl (such as beetles and locusts).
Swarm Familiar (Non-flying)
(Diminutive Magical Beast [Swarm])
---------------------------------------------------------------
Hit Dice: 2d8 (9 hp)
Initiative: +3
Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares), climb 20 ft.
Armor Class: 17 (+4 size, +3 Dex)
BAT/Grapple: +1/—
Attack: Swarm (1d6) or
Swarm (1d6 + poison), poisonous insects only
Full Attack: Swarm (1d6)
Swarm (1d6 + poison), poisonous insects only
Space/Reach: 10 ft./0 ft.
SA: Distraction, poison
SQ: Darkvision 60 ft., swarm traits,
tremorsense 30', vermin traits
Saves: Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +0
Abilities: Str 1, Dex 17, Con 10, Int 6, Wis 10, Cha 2
Skills*: Climb +11, Listen +4, Spot +4
CR: 1
Use these stats for all non-flying insect swarms, such as
swarms of centipedes, scorpions, and spiders.
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COMBAT
Distraction (Ex): Any living creature that begins its turn
with a swarm in its space must succeed on a DC 11 Fortitude
save or be nauseated for 1 round. The save DC is Constitution-
based.
Poison (Ex): Injury, Fortitude DC 11, initial and secondary
damage 1d3 Strength (spiders), Dexterity (centipedes, wasps),
or Constitution (bees, scorpions). The save DC is Constitution-
based.
*Skills: An insect swarm has a +4 racial bonus on Hide and
Spot checks and a +8 racial bonus on Climb checks. It uses its
Dexterity modifier instead of its Strength modifier for Climb
checks. It can always choose to take 10 on a Climb check, even
if rushed or threatened.
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