This is begging for a giant version

[Cleon]

Since we seem to want to wait on the flavor text, let's start thinking about mechanical changes. Did you have any in mind?

As for mechanical changes for the Coxoplectoptera I'm thinking we should drop the Jet Sprint and give them raptorial claws like the adult instead of the dragonfly nymph's overpowered bite.

Oh, and how's this for the Dragonfly Nymph's flavour:

An ugly giant insect the color of mud. Its thick, flattened body is at least the size of a man's. The lower half of its face is covered in a mask of smooth chitin.

Giant dragonfly larva, also called nymphs, are the aquatic young of giant dragonflies. These voracious predators live at the bottom of rivers and lakes. Once they grow to a large enough size, the nymph crawls out of the water (preferably on a moonless night when its enemies are less likely to spot it) and metamorphoses into the winged adults. The adults then mate and lay eggs back in the water to start their life cycle anew.

The "mask" covering the larva's face has a concealed pair of hooked jaws, and is the front of a lip-like organ folded under the insect's head. This lip can unfold with lightning speed to seize prey, which are then pulled in to be devoured by the nymph's mandibles.

Dragonfly larva have gills inside their abdomen, which they keep oxygenated by pulsing water in and out of their bodies. In an emergency, a larva can shoot water from its abdomen and jet away.

The giant dragonfly larva described above has grown large enough to attack most humanoids. It is about 5 feet long and weighs roughly 300 pounds. Newly hatched nymphs are less than a foot long, these Tiny-sized hatchlings are no threat to adventurers.

COMBAT

Giant dragonfly larva hide in mud or freshwater weeds and wait to seize any prey that wanders into charging distance. They do not attack opponents much larger than themselves. They try to grab an opponent and then devour it with their gnaw special attack. The nymph may use its jet sprint to pursue a potential meal that's wandering out of reach, but they usually reserve this ability to escape from danger.

 

[Cleon]

Hmm, I'd like the description of the mask to be expanded a bit....

The "mask" covering a dragonfly nymph's lower face is part of its lower lip, which ends in a pair of hooked jaws. The larva can unfold its lip with lightning speed to seize prey, which it pulls back to the rest of its mandibles.

I'm going to substitute this:

The "mask" covering the larva's face has a concealed pair of hooked jaws, and is the front of a lip-like organ folded under the insect's head. This lip can unfold with lightning speed to seize prey, which are then pulled in to be devoured by the nymph's mandibles.

 

[freyar]

That flavor text looks good, and I agree about Coxoplectoptera. Whew, that's a mouthful. We should come up with a good common name for them.

 

[Cleon]

That flavor text looks good, and I agree about Coxoplectoptera.

Right, I'll update the Dragonfly Nymph's Working Draft with that flavour.

Whew, that's a mouthful. We should come up with a good common name for them.

According to Wikipedia they've had the common name "chimera wings" due to combining features of several insects (dragonfly, mayfly, and praying mantis).

Don't much like "Chimera Wing" though. Something like "Chimera Mantis" or "Dragon Mantis" could work.

Dragon Mantis works better for me.

 

[freyar]

I was thinking along the lines of Dragon Mantis myself. Great minds think alike!

 

[Cleon]

I was thinking along the lines of Dragon Mantis myself. Great minds think alike!

Suits me.

I'll whip up a working draft using the rough draft Shade had back in post #3, the dragonfly nymph, and my earlier proposed changes.

 

[Cleon]

Giant Coxoplectoptera, Adult (Dragon Mantis)
Large Vermin
Hit Dice: 4d8+4 (22 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares), fly 60 ft. (good)
Armor Class: 16 (–1 size, +2 Dex, +5 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 14
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+10
Attack: Claws +5 melee (1d8+3)
Full Attack: Claws +5 melee (1d8+3) and bite +0 melee (1d6+1)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Aerial sprint, improved grab
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., vermin traits
Saves: Fort +6, Ref +3, Will +3
Abilities: Str 17, Dex 15, Con 13, Int —, Wis 14, Cha 11
Skills: Hide +2*, Spot +6
Feats: —
Environment: Temperate and warm marshes
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 3
Treasure: —
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 5–8 HD (Large); 9–12 HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment: —

A great insect, with the elongated body of a dragonfly and the spiked forelimbs of a praying mantis.

Sages sometimes call Coxoplectoptera "chimera wings", because these creatures combine elements of several different insects - the body of a dragonfly, the raptorial "arms" of a mantis and the wings of a mayfly. The common folk call the giant version of this insect a "Dragon Mantis".

The flying adults are often found near freshwater, since the larva are aquatic. The wingless larva live in underwater burrows. Both adults and larva are voracious predators.

A giant coxoplectoptera is about 8 feet long and weighs roughly 500 pounds.

COMBAT

Giant coxoplectoptera are ambush hunters. The adults hide in undergrowth, usually on the edge of a clearing or the bank of a river or lake. When a prospective meal passes by they fly out at incredible speed, like a great buzzing hawk, and try to seize an opponent in their claws. The larva hide in their burrows and grab at victims who pass nearby.

Coxoplectoptera are ravenously stupid, and typically attack until they are dead or their opponent has been devoured.

Aerial Sprint (Ex): Once per hour, a giant coxoplectoptera can fly five times its normal speed (300 feet) when it makes a charge.

Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a giant coxoplectoptera must hit with its claws attack. If it wins the ensuing grapple check, it establishes a hold and makes a bite attack as a primary attack (at its full +6 attack bonus).

Skills: A giant coxoplectoptera has a +4 racial bonus on Hide and Spot checks. *Because of its camouflage, the Hide bonus increases to +12 when a coxoplectoptera is surrounded by foliage.

Giant Coxoplectoptera, Larva
Large Vermin
Hit Dice: 4d8+4 (22 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares), climb 10 ft., swim 10 ft.
Armor Class: 16 (–1 size, +2 Dex, +5 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 14
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+10
Attack: Claws +5 melee (1d8+3)
Full Attack: Claws +5 melee (1d8+3) and bite +0 melee (1d6+1)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Improved grab
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., vermin traits
Saves: Fort +6, Ref +3, Will +3
Abilities: Str 17, Dex 15, Con 13, Int —, Wis 14, Cha 11
Skills: Climb +11, Hide +2*, Spot +6
Feats: —
Environment: Temperate and warm marshes
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 3
Treasure: —
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 5–8 HD (Large); 9–12 HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment: —

Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a giant coxoplectoptera must hit with its claws attack. If it wins the ensuing grapple check, it establishes a hold and makes a bite attack as a primary attack (at its full +6 attack bonus).

Skills: A giant coxoplectoptera has a +4 racial bonus on Hide and Spot checks. A giant coxoplectoptera larva has a +8 racial bonus on Climb and Swim checks. It can always choose to take 10 on Climb checks, even if rushed or threatened. The larva has a +8 racial bonus on any Swim check to perform some special action or avoid a hazard. It can always choose to take 10 on a Swim check, even if distracted or endangered. It can use the run action while swimming, provided it swims in a straight line.

*Because of its camouflage, the Hide bonus increases to +12 when a coxoplectoptera larva is lying on mud or in its burrow.

 

[freyar]

Looks pretty good. I think we can drop the question marks.

 

[Cleon]

Looks pretty good. I think we can drop the question marks.

So, we just need some flavour text them. Any preferences?

 

[freyar]

I will leave it to you, oh master of flavor text.