Monstrous Beetle, Scarab (Fine-Sized Vermin)

HD:	5d8 (23hp) per 10' square swarm
Initiative:	+6 (+4 Improved Initiative, +2 Dex)
Speed:	20'
AC:	20 (+8 size, +2 Dex)
Attacks:	Swarming Bite (+8 melee)
Damage:	Bite (1d4)
Face/Reach:	10ft by 10ft / 5ft
Special Attacks:	Swarm
Special Qualities:	Edged weapons do only 1pt of damage, PCs in the swarm take full damage.
Saves:	Fort +2, Ref +4, Will +0
Abilities:	Str 2, Dex 15, Con 5, Int 1, Cha 1, Wis 1
Skills:	Climb +8, Hide +4
Feats:	Improved Initiative
Climate/Terrain:	Any underground
Organisation:	Swarm
Challenge Rating:	3
Treasure:	Normal Coins, Normal Gems
Alignment:	Neutral
Advancement:	6 HD Swarm (Diminutive) 8 HD Individual (Large)

Scarab cTSR

Description

These flesh-eating beetles line the walls of tombs and underused underground passages. The attack in swarms leaving little in their wake. They cover their victims like an oily cloak, eat it to the bone then move swiftly on to their next victim.

Combat

Scarab beetles are passive hunters, waiting in pools of shadow or cracks in walls for a victim to approach too close. A swarm is treated as a single monster, moving in a single mass. Any victim caught by a swarm will be instantly covered by a mass of the creatures which will find a way through all physical armour and do 1d4 points of damage each round. Mage Armour wearers will be smothered by the creatures and although they take no damage they can suffocate. Use the Drowning rules on page 85 of the DM Guide to monitor this. Edged weapons, no matter the enchantment, only do 1 point of damage to the swarm but full damage to the victim in the swarm. Blunt weapons do full damage to both the swarm and the victim as do magical attacks. A creature rolling around when smothered does 1d4 (if small) points of damage, 1d6 points if medium sized and 1d8 if large.

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