The Strange Bestiary
A capricious caterpillar in a recursion operating under the law of Magic is sometimes an entity of perilous power (as opposed to a tiny larva that's easily squished). It can ensnare others to its will by giving unsolicited advice that might be part of an elaborate trap, spell, or unpleasant curse. On the other hand, it's possible for a capricious caterpillar to be helpful and provide good advice to a wandering traveler. That's when one should be especially on guard, because sooner or later, the creature is likely to turn up again like a bad penny and ask for a favor in return.
Motive: Collect favors, spy
Environment (Wonderland | Magic): Almost anywhere
Health: 25
Damage Inflicted: Moderate wound (5 points)
Movement: Short
Modifications: Wonderland lore as level 7; guessing secrets as level 6.
Combat: Capricious caterpillars know spells and often wield items (most notably, magic hookahs) that help channel their powers, granting them offensive and defensive abilities. Instead of attacking with mundane weapons, they use spells of fire, smoke, and coughing curses. For instance, a capricious caterpillar may do one of the following as its action during combat, but never the same effect twice in two rounds.
| d6 | Ability |
|---|---|
| 1 | Attack all creatures within immediate range with a cloud of smoke. On a failed Might defense roll, victims suffer damage and a fit of coughing that renders them unable to take actions in the following round. |
| 2 | Create a magic smoke circle that targets one creature in short range. If the victim fails a Speed defense roll, it is teleported to a random location within long range. |
| 3 | Blow smoke into the eyes of a target within immediate range. If the victim fails an Intellect defense roll, she sees her ally as the capricious caterpillar for one minute or until she spends a round rubbing the smoke out of her eyes. |
| 4 | Blow a smoke ring around itself and teleport to a nearby treetop within long range. |
| 5 | Reveal a secret that one character is keeping from one or more of her allies. If no secret fits here, treat this as a psychic attack against a character within short range that deals Intellect damage if the victim fails an Intellect defense roll. |
| 6 | Breathe in a long draught of smoke that completely heals the capricious caterpillar of damage. |
Interaction: Capricious caterpillars are usually standoffish, and when one does decide to communicate, it speaks in short, rather rude sentences, followed quickly by difficult questions. A capricious caterpillar also has a seventh sense when it comes to knowing secrets a character might be harboring.
Use: A bounty has been put on a capricious caterpillar's head—literally. Less will be paid if the creature is returned alive. If found, the capricious caterpillar offers double the bounty for the head of the person who sent the PCs after it in the first place.
Loot: A capricious caterpillar usually carries a few hundred gold coins, a cypher or two, and a hookah that confers the abilities described above to whoever uses it (depletion roll of 1 on a d6).
GM Intrusion: The capricious caterpillar blows a smoke ring around the character in short range. The character must make a successful Might defense roll or shrink to just over 3 inches (8 cm) of height for one minute.