Lost Company Press
The Giant Scorpion towers over the sands it crawls upon, its dark chitinous exoskeleton glistening under the unforgiving sun. With a massive, barbed stinger rising and ready to strike, and pincers that can crush bones and armor alike, this colossal arachnid is a nightmare sprung from the deepest, darkest crevices of the earth. The scorpion's multifaceted eyes glint with a sinister intelligence, allowing it to track and hunt its prey with terrifying precision.
Motive: Territorial predator defending its area
Environment: Deserts, caves, and ruins (Wilderness)
Health: 12
Damage: 4 points
Armor: 2
Movement: Short
Modifications: Climbing as level 5; Stealth as level 5 due to its natural camouflage; Might defense as level 5 because of its thick armored exoskeleton
Combat: The Giant Scorpion strikes with its tail, delivering venom that inflicts 5 points of initial damage and requires the victim to succeed at a Speed defense roll or become paralyzed (unable to move or act) for two rounds. At the same time, it can attack with its pincers, trying to grapple its prey. A grappled target must succeed at a Might-based task to break free or suffer an additional moderate wound (4 points) per round from being crushed.
Interactions: The Giant Scorpion has no interest in negotiation or interaction beyond assessing threats and feeding opportunities. Its primitive but effective instincts drive it to react aggressively to intrusions.
Uses: A desert caravan comes across ruins rumoured to contain powerful artifacts, but must deal with the Giant Scorpions that have made the place their lair.
Loot: Giant Scorpion venom sacs can be harvested if carefully extracted; desirable for powerful paralytic poisons.
GM Intrusion: The Giant Scorpion's stinger gets lodged in the ground after a violent swipe, leaving it vulnerable for a moment but also unleashing a spray of venomous mist in all directions that risks blinding or poisoning nearby characters.