Part 10 – Other Invertebrates

CENTIPEDE, GIANT
(Scolopendra ultralongus)

Bite 12W+3, Pinch (with hind legs) 5W+1, Chitin +4, Dig 5W, Fearless 15W, Hear Prey 10W, Hide in Cover 8W, Large 12W, Scuttle Quickly 5W, Strong 12W, Tough 12W

Venom: Lingering (5-15 minutes), Lethal, Potency 10W

Distribution: Troll lands

Habitat: Forest, jungle, rough terrain

Long, amber-coloured, segmented arthropods, giant centipedes hide in underground burrows during the day and come out at night to hunt. They will eat almost anything that moves, and are too unintelligent to be easily frightened. They are the largest of all giant arthropods, except possibly for some deep-sea crabs, and can reach thirty feet or more in length. They have poor eyesight, and detect prey with their acute sense of hearing.

A giant centipede lacks the intelligence to use more than the most basic of tactics. It will stab the target with its fangs, and inject its venom, then eat the prey on the spot if the venom takes effect. If the venom is ineffective, the centipede will continue to bite, and, in fact, will continue to live and move even if up to a quarter of its body is hacked off, so long as the head remains intact. The centipede can also attack with its rear pair of legs, which are longer than the others and can act as pincers. It cannot attack a single target with both the bite and hind legs at the same time, however.

Image: Centipede

GRAMPUS
(Mastigoproctus grampus)

Claws 8W+3, Spray Acid 15W, Acid 2W, Chitin +4, Ambush 12W, Hear Prey 8W, Large 8W, Strong 18W

Distribution: Kethaela, Guhan, Halikiv, Errinoru, Jrustela

Habitat: Forest, jungle, swamp

These strange arachnid predators resemble maroon-coloured scorpions save for their shorter (but still deadly) claws and their whip-like, stingless, tails. They have eight legs, but walk on only the hind six; the front pair being used to probe the ground ahead for obstacles, as the animal has only poor vision. A gland near the base of the tail can spray acid onto an attacker. Female grampuses lay their eggs in caves or other sheltered locations, and fiercely protect their offspring until they are large enough to fend for themselves.

The grampus leaps onto its prey from cover (augment the first attack only with the Ambush ability), seizes it in its claws and tears it apart before eating it. When alarmed, the grampus will immediately spray the attacker with acid, and then defend itself with its pincers as it tries to flee. The initial acid attack is resolved as a quick contest using the grampus’ Spray Acid ability. If successful, the acid will burn into the victim, and any clothing or armour they may be wearing.

Image: Grampus

PERIPATUS, GIANT
(Peripatus mucophilus)

Bite 2W+2, Squirt Glue, Stickiness (of glue) 8W, Thick Hide +2, Fear Fire 18, Hide in Cover 10W, Large 5W, Nimble 5W, Strong 5W

Distribution: Errinoru, Sozganjio

Habitat: Jungle, swamp

A peripatus is an elongated animal, resembling a cross between a worm and a centipede. It has orange-coloured, velvety skin, multiple stubby legs and a pair of antennae on its head. They are carnivores, but feed only on small animals such as rats, rabbits and the like. They do not like to dry out, and, unless very hungry, will hunt only during a heavy rainfall (a common event in their native habitats). Peripati fear fire, as it may dry them out. However, the fire has to be large to seriously alarm them; they will not be frightened by a typical lantern, for example. They give birth to live young, but these do not remain with the mother for long.

When alarmed, the peripatus will spray adhesive glue from a pair of short tentacles near its mouth. The jets of glue can extend a remarkable distance; sixty feet is a typical range. The glue hardens almost instantly, to enmesh the target in a mesh of tough adhesive threads. To escape, the victim must defeat the glue’s Stickiness with his Strength or other similar ability.

Image: Peripatus

SOLPUGID, GIANT
(Solpuga hypotheticus)

Bite & Grapple 10W+4, Chitin +3, Agile 15W, Climb 18W, Dig 5W, Large 8W, Scamper Quickly 12W, Strong 18W, Tough 5W

Distribution: Wastes

Habitat: Rough terrain

These bristly carnivores are ferocious nocturnal arachnids about nine feet in length. They have eight legs, the first pair being used as tactile organs, and the remaining six to walk on. They also have a pair of long palps, which they hold out in front of them as weapons, and two pairs of powerful jaws. Each of their palps ends in a powerful sucker, which enables the creature to climb sheer surfaces with ease. Solpugids avoid the sun, hiding in their burrows during the day. Female solpugids lay their eggs in shallow burrows.

SPIDER, GIANT
(Araneus superbens)

Bite 5W+2, Chitin +3, Climb 15W, Ensnare with Web 8W+5, Glue (of web) 18, Hide in Cover 8W, Large 2W, Scamper Quickly 5W, Sense Prey 10W, Strong 8W

Venom: Debilitating, Paralysing, Potency 10W

Distribution: Troll lands

Habitat: Forest, jungle

Giant spiders are amongst the most feared of the various giant arthropods found in troll lands. They spin great, sticky, webs between neighbouring trees and use them to capture prey. They are purely carnivorous, and will attempt to eat most types of creature which they can capture in their webs. Once a victim is captured by the spider, it will wrap it thoroughly in silk and may keep it alive (but paralysed) for days until it feels hungry. Giant spiders lay eggs, which they seal in silk until the young hatch. The young spiderlings leave the home web immediately after hatching, for spiders are such aggressive predators that they will readily resort to cannibalism when hungry.

Typical giant spiders spin a “hunting blind”, covered in old leaves, sticks or other debris. When the prey wanders by, the spider shoots a spray of webbing, and ensnares the prey. Once the prey is immobilized by the webbing, the spider bites it, and injects the paralysing venom. If attacked and unable to spray web over its opponent, the spider will attempt to grapple and bite the intruder, or else will flee.

Image: House Spider

WOODLOUSE, GIANT
(Oniscus secundamensa)

Chitin +2 (+4 when rolled up), Hide 10W, Tough 18

Stench Attack: Debilitating, Nausea, Potency 2W

Distribution: Dagori Inkarth, Kethaela, Halikiv, Jrustela

Habitat: Near water

Giant woodlice are unusual crustaceans with fourteen legs and a segmented, armour-plated, body. They are sometimes called pill bugs or roly polys by humans, for, when threatened, they curl their bodies up into a ball which is nearly impervious to attack. They are nocturnal herbivores, and are possess no effective means of attack. They are found only in damp terrain, for their undersides must remain moist in order for them to breathe. They scuttle away and hide in the presence of light and spend the day hidden in crevices or beneath boulders. They lay their eggs in water-filled brood pouches on their undersides, from which the young eventually hatch. Trolls sometimes use small, young, giant woodlice as sling ammunition. They prize slightly larger specimens are as a tasty dessert, while the biggest are generally ignored.

When attacked, the woodlouse will immediately roll up into a ball, increasing its armour ranking to +4 after the first attack. They will then emit a cloud of noxious vapour, which will affect any creature with a sense of smell within three feet, making them overcome with nausea for up to five minutes.

Image: Woodlouse

JELLYFISH

Sting 2W
Venom: Lingering (1 hour), Debilitating, Potency 2W

Distribution: Worldwide

Habitat: Sea water

Jellyfish float near the surface of the sea, and can swim only slowly. If a fish or other living animal brushes against their tentacles, they will sting it, grasp it and (if it is small enough) slowly consume it. Most jellyfish are not particularly dangerous but a few can prove hazardous to human swimmers. Some jellyfish have a Sting ability and/or venom Potency of 10W or more and so are especially feared.

Image: Jellyfish

LEECH, GIANT
(Megahirudinea swemsii)

Bite 8W+2, Suck Blood 18W, Rubbery Hide +2, Large 2W, Sense Prey 12W, Strong 8W

Distribution: Worm Sea

Habitat: Salt water

These bloated worm-like creatures dwell in the Worm Sea, and normally feed on whales and giant reptiles. Unfortunately for sailors, giant leeches lack the intelligence to distinguish their prey from other large moving objects, such as ships, which they often attack.

Giant leeches can rarely bothered with targets as small as humans, but may bite one who attempts to detach it from a ship or otherwise attacks it. Initially, the leech will simply attempt to bite its opponent; if it scores a Minor Victory or better, it has become attached and will begin to drain the opponent’s blood. This is resolved as a contest between the leech’s suck blood ability and the victim’s toughness or similar ability. The leech may be pulled free by winning a contest against its Strong ability, but may make a Parting Shot with its Bite if successfully detached, to reflect the effect of the mouth-hooks tearing free from the victim’s flesh.

OCTOPUS
(Octopus superbens)

Grapple & Bite 8W+2, Rubbery Hide +1, Camouflage Self 18W, Distracting Ink Cloud 5W, Jet Propulsion 5W, Large 18, Spot Prey 10W, Strong 8W
Venom: Debilitating, Lethal, Potency 18

Distribution: Rozgali, Sshorg, Kereneth, Dashomo, Marthino and Togaro seas

Habitat: Coastal waters

Octopuses live on the floor of shallow seas and usually occupy a den or retreat from which they venture forth to feed on crustaceans, shellfish and other bottom creatures. Although they can squirt out water in order to move quickly for brief periods using their Jet Propulsion ability, they normally crawl across the seabed with their tentacles, and move quite slowly. They can also change the colour of their skin to blend in with the background. Octopuses are often found near communities of mermen, and feed off scraps of their food, but are rarely domesticated. Octopuses lay eggs, which they attach to the sea floor with a blob of gelatinous goo.

Octopuses will rarely attack human-sized targets, although they may do so if alarmed, and will certainly fight to defend their den. They hunt during the day, and leap upon their prey, wrapping their arms about it and biting with their beaks to inject venom into the creature. Once the target is immobilised, they will carry it back to their den and consume it at leisure. In defence, the octopus will grapple with its tentacles and bite. If seriously threatened, it will emit a cloud of black ink, and use its water jet to beat a hasty retreat.

SQUID, GIANT
(Architeuthis mollukae)

Grapple & Bite 18W+3, Rubbery Hide +4, Jet Propulsion 15W, Large 2W2, Strong 5W2

Distribution: Hudaro, Banthe, Kereneth, Kahar, Togaro and Homeward seas

Habitat: Deep sea

These deep sea monsters were rarely, if ever, seen at the surface of the oceans before the Closing. Now they are among the many creatures that will attack any ship which fails to enact the Open Seas ritual correctly, and are occasionally reported to attack even protected ships, perhaps under the control of hostile triolini. They are carnivores, and it is fortunate that they live alone, so that only rarely will more than one attack a given ship at the same time. A giant squid can emit a jet of water from its head, allowing it to move very rapidly over short distances, using its Jet Propulsion ability; at other times it is relatively slow moving.

Sentient individuals are also known, and are believed to carry on a long-lasting conflict with similarly sentient sperm whales in the abyssal depths. Such creatures are often associated with Drospoly in aquatic mythology, although it is doubtful whether they are aware of the connection, if indeed, it really exists.

A giant squid will wrap its tentacles about its prey and bite with its sharp beak. When smaller boats or surface creatures are attacked, the squid employs a similar tactic, and drags the target below the waves to devour it at leisure. If the ship is too large for this to be practical, the squid will instead pluck sailors from the deck one at a time. If the squid becomes seriously injured, it will use its Jet Propulsion ability to escape from combat.

WORM, GREAT
(Phagodrilus collosus)

Rasp 10W+3, Rubbery Hide +3, Large 18W, Strong 5W2

Distribution: Worm Sea

Habitat: Shallow seas

These huge creatures swarm in the Worm Sea, west of Pamaltela. They sometimes writhe in great shoals, forming an impenetrable mass, but at other times are encountered alone or in smaller groups. They appear virtually featureless, save for a slightly segmented body and a narrow, rasping, maw lined by jagged teeth. Although they may appear disturbing, they subsist on fish and seaweed, and will normally only attack humans in self-defence.

These great creatures are the blessed of Swems, ancient relics that were once widespread, but have remained in the Worm Sea since the Golden Age, when their deity’s power began to wane.

Image: Worms