Planar Bestiary
Planar mites are invasive creatures infesting hundreds of different dimensions, as well as paths between dimensions (which is one reason they are also sometimes called "path mites"). When not moving, they resemble flattened red boulders, innocuous odd debris scattered randomly. However, if prey moves close, a mite unfolds to reveal a roach-like body with a horrific mouth, claws, and leathery wings peeking from beneath a stone carapace.
The favored hunting tactic of mites is to fold in their wings, claws, and mouths so they resemble nothing so much as random debris. When potential prey moves past, the planar mites pounce, possibly gaining surprise. If they are successful in getting a grip on the target with their bite, they extend their wings, potentially pulling their prey high into the air—after which they inevitably drop their prey. If the prey is especially unlucky, they are dropped into a different dimension than the one they were attacked on.
Unlike most beasts, the planar mite can sense hidden borders to other dimensions, including weak spots and tears, scars left by some forms of transplanar travel, as well as standard portals and recently used magic that granted such travel. Once identified, a mite can pass through veils invisible to most other creatures, bypassing the need for keys or other tokens (if any), to travel the planes.
Motive: Hungers for flesh
Environment: Anywhere near portals, dimensional paths, and weak points between dimensions, in packs of three to eight
Health: 8
Damage Inflicted: Minor wound (3 points)
Armor: 3
Movement: Short; short when climbing; long when flying
Modifications: Stealth as level 3; perceives hidden and invisible creatures as level 4; perceives dimensional weak points and planar paths as level 7
Combat: A planar mite attacks with their bite. If the bite attack succeeds and inflicts damage, the target is grabbed. The grabbed creature takes a minor wound (3 points) each round and all their tasks are hindered. The grabbed creature can attempt a Might-based task each round as their action to escape.
If the mite charges at least a short distance and then attacks, the target must also succeed at a level 4 Might defense task or be knocked prone.
Interaction: Planar mites are animals. They cannot be reasoned with, but retreat if overmatched.
Use: A planar mite drops prey from a height that, from the characters' perspective, is an empty spot in the sky. Investigation reveals a previously unrecognized planar conduit (a "path" if you will) between dimensions, as well as a nest of planar mites.
GM Intrusion: A creature bitten by the path mite must succeed at a level 4 Might defense task or be lifted into the air by the mite. On the mite's next turn, they carry their captive higher into the air (or even through a nearby portal or dimensional barrier) and drop them, inflicting damage according to the distance fallen.