The material below is Open Game Content
Penumbra Fantasy Bestiary
| Author | Chris Aylott et al |
| Publisher | Atlas Games |
| Publish date | 2003 |
| OGL Section 15 | fantasy-bestiary |
The material below is Open Game Content
Assassin Caterpillar
Fine Vermin
Hit Dice 1/8d8 (1 hp)
Initiative –4 (Dex)
Speed 1 ft.
AC 14 (–4 Dex, +8 size)
Attacks None
Damage None
Face/Reach 1/2 ft. x 1/2 ft./0 ft.
Special Attacks Poison
Special Qualities Darkvision 60 ft., Immunities
Saves Fort +2, Ref –4, Will +0
Abilities Str 1, Dex 3, Con 10, Int —, Wis 10, Cha 5
Skills Balance –1, Climb –2, Hide +13, Move Silently +5
Climate/Terrain Temperate land
Organization Cluster (2–20), infestation (20–100), swarm (100–500), or horde (500–1000)
Challenge Rating 1/4
Treasure None
Alignment Always neutral
Advancement Special (see below)
Advancement After feeding for two to three months, the caterpillar builds a chrysalis around itself. Eight months later the metamorphosized caterpillar emerges as a completely innocuous butterfly with large yellow and black wings with bright orange spots. The new butterflies mate and lay eggs that develop into larvae and become assassin caterpillars within two months.
Poison (Ex) The assassin caterpillar’s spines produce a very powerful hemotoxin. A burning pain is felt by the victim at the site of contact with the spines, and as damage is dealt, large bruises appear on the body. Eventually the victim dies from internal bleeding. A Fortitude save (DC 15) is needed or the victim suffers 1 point of permanent Constitution damage. A minute later, an additional Fortitude save (DC 15) is needed or the victim begins to lose hit points at the rate of 2 points per hour. Once the poison’s secondary damage takes effect, the only way to stop the damage is to take anti-venom made from the assassin caterpillars’ poison, or to successfully cast neutralize poison or heal. Casting delay poison merely prolongs the attack, and after the spell’s duration is over, the poison continues as before. Casting any cure spells or aid, or taking any cure potions will restore lost hit points, but the victim continues to take damage. Antivenom can be made by anyone with the Alchemy skill (DC 25) but requires the poison from ten caterpillars.
Skills The assassin caterpillar has a +16 size bonus to Hide checks, and a +6 racial bonus to Move Silently checks. This is included above.
Vermin Vermin have no Intelligence scores and are immune to all mind-influencing effects. Vermin have Darkvision with a range of 60 feet.
The material below is Open Game Content
Assassin Caterpillar
Fine Vermin
Hit Dice: 1/4d8 (1 hp)
Initiative: -4
Speed: 5 ft. (1 square)
Armor Class: 14 (+8 size, -4 Dex), touch 14, flat-footed 14
Base Attack/Grapple: +0/-21
Attack: –
Full Attack: –
Space/Reach: 1/2 ft./0 ft.
Special Attacks: Poison
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., vermin traits
Saves: Fort +2, Ref -4, Will +0
Abilities: Str 1, Dex 3, Con 10, Int —, Wis 10, Cha 5
Skills: Hide +12, Move Silently +4
Feats: —
Environment: Temperate land
Organization: Cluster (2-10), infestation (11-20), or horde (21-30)
Challenge Rating: 1/2
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: Special (see below)
Level Adjustment: —
Assassin caterpillars appear to be normal caterpillars gorging before winter arrives, except that their spiky hairs are laced with a defensive poison. Assassin caterpillars are typically green and yellow with red tipped spikes bearing their poison.
Combat
The assassin caterpillar’s spines produce a very powerful hemotoxin. A burning pain is felt by the victim at the site of contact with the spines, and as damage is dealt, large bruises appear on the body. Eventually the victim dies from internal bleeding.
Poison (Ex): Contact, Fortitude DC 14, initial damage 1 Con drain, secondary damage internal bleeding (see below). The save DC is Constitution-based and includes a +4 racial bonus. If a victim takes secondary damage from this poison, it begins to lose hit points at the rate of 2 points per hour. Once the poison’s secondary damage takes effect, the only way to stop the damage is to take antivenom made from the assassin caterpillars’ poison, or successfully cast neutralize poison or heal. Casting delay poison merely prolongs the attack, and after the spell’s duration is over, the poison continues as before. Casting any cure spells or aid, or taking any cure potions will restore lost hit points, but the victim continues to take damage. Antivenom can be made by anyone with the Craft (alchemy) skill (DC 25) but requires the poison from ten assassin caterpillars.
Skills: The assassin caterpillar has a +8 racial bonus on Move Silently checks.
Advancement: After feeding for two to three months, the caterpillar builds a chrysalis around itself. Eight months later the metamorphosed caterpillar emerges as a completely innocuous butterfly with large yellow and black wings with bright orange spots. The new butterflies mate and lay eggs that develop into larvae and become assassin caterpillars within two months.
This material originates in a 3PP Source
