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Plasma Bugs |
By: PhyreCop1@aol.com
The Bugs from Starship Troopers
They come from a planet that is mostly high desert and craggy, boulder-strewn mountains. Though they prefer an arid environment, they have also been found on nearly ever other type of planet, mostly those with forest, jungle and grassy plains.
The various bug species seem to live in a multilateral hive community with a very structured caste system. The leaders of the hive are the Brain Bugs , a highly intelligent psionic creature with amazing abilities. They are assisted by the Tunneler Roaches. These also serve as the builder/maintenance personnel for the hive. The Warrior Bugs act as both heavy workers and infantry. The Tanker Bugs with their flaming acid are like huge tanks, moving across the terrain sweeping the way clear of enemies. The Hopper Bugs are like a short-range air force as well as a decent form of reconnaissance for the hive. The Plasma Bugs act as a planetary defense by filling the sky and orbital space with massive balls of organic plasma capable of destroying a medium-sized spaceship.
Though similarities exist between the various bugs, it is believed that they are separate life forms and each caste species lays it's own eggs within the various chambers of the hive. The hive itself is a monumental construct in itself. A typical sized hive might cover 20-30 square miles of a planet, and descend as much as a mile below the surface. Some hives are rumored to be 10-20 times this size, though no one as yet has been able to document this.
Plasma Bug (Solifugae)
These are the largest bugs in the hive. They are huge, slow moving creatures that resemble a cross between a glowing tick and a firefly. They are deep gray to black in color and their large bulbous rear half glows with the bright pale blue of trapped energy. There may only be 1D6 Plasma Bugs in an individual hive, but they will most certainly join with the Plasma Bugs from other hives to repel a planetary assault. It is a mystery how these creatures can produce such a large amount of pure high-energy plasma (though many believe it to be a form of natural magic); as well as how they are capable of hurling that energy into the sky and up into high-orbit. These bugs are extremely slow moving as well as being very dimwitted, therefore making them fairly non-aggressive in a terrestrial confrontation. It is for this reason that a individual Plasma Bug will always have 2D6 Tunneler Roaches and 1D4 Warriors nearby as protection from ground attack. The bugs seem capable of expelling a huge ball of plasma energy every 30 seconds, and will usually be herded to another firing location by the Tunneler Roaches.
NPC Villains --------- Not available as player
characters.
Alignment: Considered evil by human standards.
Attributes: I.Q.: 1D4, M.E.:
2D6, M.A.: 1D4, P.S.: 3D6 + 52,
P.P.: 2D6, P.E.: 2D6 + 28,
P.B.: 2D4, Spd: 1D4. Considered to
have superhuman strength and endurance.
M.D.C. by Location:
Main Body ----- 1500
Legs (8) ----- 200
Head ------ 100
Horror Factor: 16
Magic Abilities: Plasma Ball: A form of the Fire Ball spell,
but done with balls of high-energy plasma 10-20 feet in diameter
(P.P.E. cost: 50). Plasma is spit out from the creature's rear and
lobbed into high planetary orbit.
P.P.E.: 2D6 x 1000
Psionic Abilities: Telepathy between hive members.
I.S.P.: 2D6 x 10 plus 10 per level.
Natural Abilities: Multi-spectrum vision equivalent to
cybernetic multi-optics eye and radar (range 200 feet/61 m).
Regenerates lost M.D.C. at the rate of 1D4 x 10 M.D.C. per 8 hour
rest period. Regenerate lost P.P.E. at the rate of 1D6 x 100 + 200
per 8 hour rest period. Impervious to fire, heat and cold. Able to
psionically recognize and communicate with members of their own
species, and other allied insectoids.
Experience Level: Average 1D6+4
Vulnerabilities/Penalties: Takes double damage from psionic
attacks.
Combat (Natural abilities): 1 attack every other melee (2
attacks per minute) at level five; add one more attack at levels
seven and nine.
Damage: Plasma Ball 2D6 x 1000 M.D. (Range: 200 miles), Crush
4D6 M.D., Mandibles (cutting/chewing) 6D6 M.D.
Bonuses: +2 to strike, +5 to roll with punch/fall, +3 save vs.
magic, +12 to save vs. horror factor. All in addition to attribute
bonuses. Add +1 to strike at level seven and nine.
R.C.C Skills: Skills limited to track by vibration 40% + 5%
per level, track orbital object 60% + 5% per level.
Average Life Span: 20 Years
Size: 40-60 feet (13.3-18.2 m) tall and 90-150 feet (27.3-45.5
m) long and 50-70 feet (15.2-21.2 m) wide. Not including
leg-span.
Weight: Approximately 70 metric tons.
Enemies: Anyone and anything that is not of their hive or
sister hives.