Tuesday, October 5, 2021

Grognard's Grimoire: Yeretshak

Yeretshak (Golden Bloodsucker)

Yeretshaks are 3’-long scuttling creatures common to subterranean locales, though they sometimes venture above ground in search of prey. These beasts use their sharp mandibles to bite and attach themselves to their quarry to suck blood. The carapace of the yeretshak is tough and possesses a sparkly sheen that makes it much prized as a material for armor and shields, particularly by the Ga’andrin.

AC 3 [12], HD 2* (9hp), Att 1 × bite (1d4 + blood sucking), THAC0 18 [+1], MV 120’ (40’), SV D12 V13 P14 B15 S16 (1), ML 8, XP 25, NA 1d8 (2d6), TT Carapace

  • Blood sucking: Upon a successful attack, attaches and drains target’s blood: 1d4 automatic damage per round.
  • Carapace: Worth 1d4 × 10dm to armorers and weaponsmiths (double this amount if sold in Ga’andrin lands).
  • Disease: Bite has 1-in-20 chance of infecting the target (save versus poison). The disease has a 1-in-4 chance of being deadly (die in 2d4 days). Otherwise, the target is sick and bedridden for one month.
  • Detach: If yeretshak drains blood equal to its own hit points or if it or its target dies.

1 comment:

  1. Interesting. Nice to see a "bug" that doesn't have six+ limbs, makes it quite effectively alien.

    Perhaps increase (max the die roll?) the carapace bounty if the thing is carefully killed with an eye toward keeping it as intact as possible? Poisoned or drowned, perhaps? Surely that's going to be worth more than something that was flattened with a maul or something. :)

    Does the rule set have mechanics for breaking free from this sort of trick short of killing the critter? Perhaps a simple strength test?

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