GREATER STIRGE

GREATER STIRGE  

FREQUENCY: Very Rare

NO. APPEARING: 1-4
ARMOR CLASS: 5/7
MOVE: 24" (MC: D)
HIT DICE: 6+1
%IN LAIR: 50%
TREASURE TYPE: C
NO. OF ATTACKS: 6
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-6
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Blood drain, paralysis
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Low
ALIGNMENT: Chaotic evil
SIZE: L
PSlONlC ABILITY: Nil
Attack/Defense Modes: Nil
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE: VI (numbers 1-2)/700 +8/hp

This cousin to the common stirge appear as multi-tentacled and headless giant bees with bat-like wings. It is assumed that they have unknown internal senses regardless of severed tentacles. With a successful hit, of the sticky tips of their six tentacles, the victim must save versus paralysis or be paralyzed for 2d6 turns. They then begin to suck all vital fluids out of the victim automatically until victim is dead. These tentacles can stretch and attack up to 5 other nearby victims at 5" range. Their tentacles have a lesser armor class than the rest of their body (7) and if lost they will retreat. Their tentacles grow back at a rate of two per month.

Note: In the campaign, these were part of the defenders of Castle Skulldon in the Battle of Skulldon along with other stirges. In the world of the city of Bravesword, the stirge family are called strigae and have a wide range of shapes, sizes, intelligence and abilities. This is the northern variety and are minions of a growing evil who sometimes use them as mounts.

Copyright Gene Weigel 2013