Ectoplasmic Vermin

Tiny Small Medium-Size Tiny Vermin Small Vermin Medium-Size Vermin Hit Dice: 1/2 d8 (2 hp) 1d8 (4 hp) 2d8+2 (11 hp) Initiative: +2 (Dex) +2 (Dex) +2 (Dex) Speed: 20 ft., climb 10 ft. 40 ft., climb 20 ft. 40 ft., climb 20 ft. AC: 14 (+2 size, +2 Dex) 13 (+1 size, +2 Dex) 13 (+2 Dex, +1 natural) Attacks: Bite +4 melee Bite +3 melee Bite +3 melee Damage: Bite 1d3–4 plus poison Bite 1d4–2 plus poison Bite 1d6 plus poison Face/Reach: 2 1/2 ft. by 2 1/2 ft./0 ft. 5 ft. by 5 ft./5 ft. 5 ft. by 5 ft./5 ft. Special Attacks: Poison Poison Poison Special Qualities: Evasion, fast healing 1, Evasion, fast healing 1, Evasion, fast healing 1, light sensitivity, vermin traitslight sensitivity, vermin traitslight sensitivity, vermin

traits

Saves: Fort +2, Ref +2, Will +0 Fort +2, Ref +2, Will +0 Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +0 Abilities: Str 3, Dex 15, Con 10, Str 7, Dex 15, Con 10, Str 11, Dex 15, Con 12 Int —, Wis 10, Cha 2 Int —, Wis 10, Cha 2 Int —, Wis 10, Cha 2 Skills: Climb +4, Hide +10, Climb +6, Hide +6, Climb +8, Move Silently +6, Move Silently +6, Move Silently +6, Spot +8, Tumble +6 Spot +8, Tumble +6 Spot +8, Tumble +6 Feats: Weapon Finesse (bite) Weapon Finesse (bite) Weapon Finesse (bite)

Climate/Terrain: Any land and underground Any land and underground Any land and underground Organization: Colony (9–16) Colony (9–16) Colony (9–16)

Challenge Rating: 1/3 1/2 1 Treasure: None None None

Ectoplasmic vermin are multilegged, bizarre, insectlike creatures that attack in groups and are capable of harming living creatures and ghosts equally well.

Whether they are a natural side effect of the Manifest Ward, a strange mutated form of insect, or a magical crossbreed by a demented ectomancer, ectoplasmic vermin—often called ghost bugs—plague the buried cities on the way to the Veil of Souls. They resemble many-legged insects made of semitransparent hardened ectoplasm, although the shape of their bodies varies from individual to individual, as do their number of eyes and legs. Visible within their carapaces are tiny translucent organs. They skitter about on walls and floors, attacking any creatures they see. They breed quickly, so the seasonal purges sponsored by various churches cull their numbers only for a short while. When their numbers swell, they have been known to attack surface creatures at night, but they usually confine themselves to the dark places underground.

Ectoplasmic vermin are made of living ectoplasm and are affected by attacks that affect ectoplasm, such as disrupt ectoplasm. Unlike ghosts, they have discernible anatomies and are therefore subject to critical hits and sneak attacks.

COMBAT

Ghost bugs search for prey in packs in a manner similar to that of hunting spiders. When slain, they dissolve into puddles of ectoplasm, which evaporate in the normal fashion.