The Strange
Gnathostomes lurk in dark places, preying on other creatures using ambush tactics. They are drawn to inhabited locations because such places offer plenty of the cerebrospinal fluid and fatty brain tissue they require to survive.
Related to 3-foot-high (1 m) autonomous ecology samplers used by some research factions, gnathostomes improve on a "tame" sampler's ability to remain hidden in plain sight, and more insidiously, a sampler's ability to debilitate a subject to extract a biological sample. How gnathostomes evolved from samplers used for research isn't precisely known, but to discover the answer, tame samplers have been programmed to seek out and conduct bioassays on gnathostomes. This has resulted in something of a minor gnathostome-sampler war being carried out beyond the notice of most Ruk citizens.
Because gnathostomes are evolved from scientific apparatus, they retain a lot of built-in sensory equipment that enables them to track potential prey even through walls, and sense prey that is otherwise invisible.
Motive: Hungers for cerebrospinal fluid
Environment (Ruk | Weird Science): Anywhere near inhabited locations
Health 12
Damage Inflicted: Moderate wound (4 points)
Armor: 3
Movement: Short, long when jumping
Modifications: Perception as level 5; stealth as level 6; Speed defense as level 5 due to size.
Combat: Gnathostomes usually begin an encounter by "dropping" onto a target from a concealed location, gaining the benefits of a surprise attack. A successful bite deals damage and requires a second Might defense roll. On a failed roll, the gnathostome's bite also sucks a portion of the victim's cerebrospinal fluid. Each time cerebrospinal fluid is sucked from a PC by this attack, the PC moves one step down the damage track.
Interaction: Gnathostomes do not speak. However, a gnathostome that completely drains a victim of its cerebrospinal fluid may "learn" what the victim knew, but that information is accessible only to someone who in turn subdues a gnathostome and plugs in an umbilical.
Use: A victim of a gnathostome attack possessed important information, and a faction wants the PCs to track down the gnathostome responsible and see if that information can be extracted.
Loot: Gnathostomes retain elements of their sampler roots, and they could carry one or two cyphers in a collection compartment.
GM Intrusion: When the PC hits the gnathostome with a melee weapon, the gnathostome clamps down on the weapon and jerks it from the PC's hands.