Tidal Blades
The gong struck again and the gate opened. From the shadows streamed a slithering horde of creatures, and Dust saw the other contestants shrink back. They were right to be frightened. These were dune creepers, a strange, vicious cross between a centipede and serpent that had been a constant threat during her desert journey. She steeled herself for the onslaught.
Swift. Aggressive. Growing up to more than 10 feet (3 m) long. Looking like a cross between a serpent and a centipede, dune creepers are the desert nightmares your mother warned you about. They swarm in groups of three or more through the dunes both day and night, seemingly undaunted by either heat or cold, and attack anything that moves with little to no warning. They seem drawn to gatherings of other creatures, although it's hard to know whether that's because the movement and noise intrigues them or because they've discovered that groups of creatures mean easy snacks.
Motive: Food, defense
Environment: Desert
Health: 15
Damage Inflicted: Moderate wound (5 points)
Armor: 2
Movement: Long
Modifications: Speed defense and resisting surprise as level 6 due to quickness
Combat: Dune creepers attack by rearing up on their back legs and using their first pair of legs, which are modified into clawed points, to puncture their foe's skin. This inflicts 5 points of damage and releases venom that, on a failed Intellect defense task, causes the victim to hallucinate, hindering all their actions until their next recovery roll.
Victims who are stung twice within ten minutes experience an intense reaction to the venom and move one step down the damage track unless they succeed on a Might defense roll.
Interaction: Dune creepers are vicious and aggressive without obvious rhyme or reason. Interacting with them in any way that doesn't involve combat is nearly impossible.
Use: A festival or event is being overwhelmed by dune creeper attacks and seeks help in pushing back the creatures. The characters come upon someone who's been attacked by dune creepers and needs medical assistance.
GM Intrusion: While fighting a dune creeper, the character steps on a nest of creeper eggs in the ground or a hollow log, causing a swarm of babies to hatch.