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Tanker 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.
Tanker Beetles (Amblypygi)
These are the second largest of the Bugs. They act as the hive's mobile artillery. A typical sized hive would have between 100 and 700 Tankers, with some larger hives having 1200 to as many as 10,000 Tankers to commit to a battle line.
A mottled dark gray and black, they are usually caked with brown dirt and mud which gives them a camouflaged appearance. Their eyes are located midway up on the head, beneath a protruding armored forehead. They also seem to have a green, luminous glow that is very obvious at night. Like their Warrior cousins, they are very aggressive and are not timid to the attack. Though they generally attack alone or in pairs, they will also operate in tandem with a wave attacking Warriors.
NPC Villains --------- Not available as player
characters.
Alignment: Considered evil by human standards.
Attributes: I.Q.: 2D4, M.E.:
3D6, M.A.: 2D4, P.S.: 3D6 + 50,
P.P.: 4D6, P.E.: 5D6, P.B.:
2D4, Spd: 2D6 + 3. Considered to have superhuman strength and
endurance.
M.D.C. by Location:
Main Body ----- 2000
Legs (6) ----- 200
Head (*mandibles, eyes and spit-nozzle) ------ 80 each
(*) These targets are difficult to hit, requiring a called shot at -4 to strike.
Horror Factor: 18
Magic Abilities: None.
P.P.E.: 4D6
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. 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+2
Vulnerabilities/Penalties: Takes double damage from psionic
attacks. Takes full damage from M.D. plasma, nuclear, and magic.
Combat (Natural abilities): 5 hand-to-hand attacks; add one
additional attack at levels three, five and seven.
Damage: Crush/stomp 4D6 M.D., Mandibles (cutting/chewing) 6D6
M.D. Flaming bio-corrosive acid 2D6 x 10 M.D. (Range: 50 meters).
Each Tanker carries approximately 1 metric ton of acid within its
large rear carapace.
Bonuses: +4 on initiative to spit/spray, +6 to strike, +6 to
parry and dodge, +4 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 five and seven.
R.C.C. Skills: Skills limited to track by vibration 80% + 3%
per level and climbing 60% + 5% per level.
Average Life Span: 50 Years
Size: 20-35 feet (6.0-10.5 m) tall and 80-120 feet (24.0-36.0
m) long. Not including leg-span.
Weight: 7-10 metric tons.
Enemies: Anyone and anything that is not of their hive or
sister hives.