Lost Company Press
The Stirge is a flying pest with a nightmarish blend of bat and mosquito features. It has a leathery body, spindly legs, and a long, needle-like proboscis used to sap the lifeblood from its victims. With beady eyes that reflect a haunting red in the dim light, this small but sinister creature moves silently through the night. When it latches onto prey, it's often only noticed when the draining sensation begins.
Motive: Feeds on blood
Environment: Marshlands, forests, and dark caves (Wilderness)
Health: 6
Damage: 2 points
Movement: Short when flying, immediate when latching onto a target
Modifications: Attacks as level 3 due to precision; Speed defense as level 3 when airborne
Combat: The Stirge silently dives onto its target to attach its proboscis. Once attached, the Stirge can be difficult to remove. A character with an attached Stirge takes 2 points of damage per round as it continues to feed. A successful Might-based task is required to remove or kill the creature; failure means the Stirge remains in place. Latch On: If the Stirge hits with an attack, it latches onto its prey. While latched on, it inflicts 2 additional points of damage each round and is harder to hit, improving its effective Speed defense level by 1. Blood Drain: Each round the Stirge remains attached to its victim, it drains a small amount of blood, healing itself for 1 point and causing the victim to suffer 1 level of Fatigue (cumulative) until they can rest and recover.
Interactions: The Stirge avoids direct confrontation and relies on surprise and stealth to feed.
Uses: Adventurers resting in the wilderness may find themselves as hosts to these nocturnal feeders, complicating their quest for respite.
Loot: A Stirge's body may contain valuable alchemical components if delivered to a skilled apothecary.
GM Intrusion: While attempting to detach a feeding Stirge, a character inadvertently flings it onto a fellow companion, making the situation worse.