
Archives of Nethys

Archives of Nethys

Pathfinder RPG (1st Edition) Pathfinder RPG (2nd Edition) Starfinder RPG

All Creatures
Abilities | Monsters | NPCs
All | Families | Templates
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Vibrant Pup Swarm

These tenacious little rodents travel in massive swarms across the desert, using the sun both as shield and sword during their long marches. Unlike other rodents, vibrant pups are eusocial, causing them to behave more like insects than other rodents. Only the queen can reproduce, and is fiercely protected for that reason. This social structure enables them to viciously attack and act as a single unit. Each of the pups also have specific roles within the family and the swarm. The worker pups gather and dig while in a den, but will act as a shield to protect the more valuable fighter pups while swarming.

Vibrant pups spend most of their lives underground, digging out elaborate tunnels in search for food. However, in the harsh deserts of Thuvia, food can be scarce. A family of vibrant pups will abandon their dens and set out on harsh multiday journeys in search of land that can sustain the queen long enough to have another litter of pups. These journeys can happen up to three times a year, following seasonal changes in resources. Outside of these local migrations, swarms will leave their dens only to repel a massive threat to the queen.

Vibrant pups have unusual and beautiful anatomical features. Their skin, while soft, is extremely reflective, which serves a dual purpose for the rodents since it can both reflect the harsh sun away to better thermoregulate as well as focus those rays toward threats, especially when multiple pups work in unison. The glinting of a pup swarm in migration can be seen from afar—rather than inviting challenges, this obvious display signals would-be predators to steer clear.

As of late, their reflective, soft skin has become quite fashionable in wealthy circles. While hunting such small creatures for their pelts is extremely impractical and dangerous, the high price tag has led to more frequent hunts. While these rodents do serve a unique ecological niche, many farmers are more than happy to rid their fields of these voracious eaters and will often point out nearby hives to local hunters.

Recall Knowledge - Animal (Nature): DC 28
Unspecific Lore: DC 26
Specific Lore: DC 23

Elite | Normal | Weak
Proficiency without Level

Changes from being Weak are marked in red below.
NOTE: The -2 damage penalty to non-strike offensive abilities (-4 if the ability is limited, such as spells) is NOT factored in.

Weak Vibrant Pup SwarmCreature 10

Huge Animal Swarm 
Source Howl of the Wild pg. 192 2.0
Perception +22; tremorsense (precise) 60 feet
Skills Athletics +14
Str -2, Dex +7, Con +5, Int -5, Wis +5, Cha -4
AC 27; Fort +22, Ref +19, Will +16
HP 120; Immunities precision, swarm mind; Resistances bludgeoning 5, piercing 10,
slashing 10 Weaknesses area damage 5, splash damage 5Reflective Skin (aura, light, visual) 10 feet. Other creatures in the aura aredazzled. The aura automatically activates when the swarm is in bright lightand deactivates in dim light or darkness.Feel No Pain [reaction] Trigger The vibrant pup swarm is critically hit by a Strike; Effect The worker pups become insensitive to pain and leap to the front. The swarm gains 10 temporary Hit Points that last for 1 round.
Speed 30 feet, burrow 30
Focused Reflection [two-actions] (fire, light) Requirements The vibrant pup swarm is in bright light; Effect The swarm simultaneously turns to focus the light in an arcing beam, dealing 6d12 fire damage to all creatures in a 30-foot cone (DC 28 basic Reflex save). A creature that fails its save is also blinded for 1 round (or 1 minute on a critical failure). The swarm can't use Focused Reflection again for 1d4 rounds.Swarming Bites [one-action] Each enemy in the swarm's space takes 2d6 piercing damage (DC 28 basic Reflex save).