Avaretus Swarm

Avaretus Swarm Characteristics
Exp Rating: 2
Minimum Level: 18
Base Hitpoints: CON/3 + DEX/3
Level Hitpoints: 5 per level
Size: Medium Swarm of Diminutive Creatures
Attributes: -8 STR, +14 DEX, -2 INT, +4 WIS, +2 CHA,
Languages: Infernal, Celestial, Draconic
Stamina: 3
Resolve: 1
Philosophy Ranks: Rank 1 Physical, Rank 2 Mental, Rank 7 Infernal, and 5 ranks in either Physical or Mental.
Senses: Darkvision, Superior Scent
Habitat: The Infernal Plane
Skills
Points per Level: Gain 5 Skill Points per level.
Favored Skills:
Starting Skill Points:
  • 16 points to be spent in the above Racial Skills. These points cannot be used to raise a skill above Rank 3.
Movement
Shift: 5ft/2seg
Overland: 90 mi/day
Racial Features
  • Swarm: The Swarm is made up of a multitude of smaller creatures acting as a single unit, acting as a single creature for purposes of Attacks, Defenses, and Hitpoints. As such, single target attacks have a reduced effect on the Swarm (dealing half damage), while attacks that target an area have greater effect (dealing double damage). The Swarm is typically immune to Status Effects that target a single creature, but susceptible to those targeting an area. Additionally, the Swarm cannot be Grabbed or otherwise bodily restrained (GMs discretion). When the Swarm is reduced to 0 hitpoints, any creatures remaining within the swarm disperse.
  • Hellspawn Resistances: Immunity to Fire damage. Resistance to Caustic and Cold damage. Immune to Disease and Poisons & Toxins.
  • Superior Scent: Gain the ability to utilize the Scent skill.
  • Thick Swarm: Avaretus Swarm gets a +2/+4 Racial Bonus to AC from Natural Armor.
  • Regeneration: The Avaretus Swarm regenerates 20 (overcome by Good weapons or powers and Silver)
  • Biting Devils: The Avaretus hungrily swarm into and bite at a nearby victim. Speed 7, +2 Precision, 1d6 damage die, 1x damage mulitiplier, Crit 0%/2 per Rank, ArN 1, Piercing damage.
Cultural Features
  • Mortal Puppetry: Speed 7, Melee vs Fortitude. The Swarm viciously attaches itself to the target, burrowing beneath its flesh to control its physical movements [SE, ST 4d10 vs CON]. For the duration of the effect, the swarm may cause the target to take any physical action on its turn, including movement and weapon attacks. The target is essentially Paralyzed and cannot Concentrate. Purely mental actions can be taken as normal.

Avaretus Characteristics

These nasty little devils fly in packs of multiple thousands, relentlessly tearing at and attempting to burrow into the flesh of their victims, allowing them to physically control their victim's bodies from within. While not stupid, the Avaretus operate primarily off their baser instincts and delight in causing mischief and suffering.

History

Not much is known of these tiny deviants, at least to mortal men, for they rarely are able to venture out of the lower planes under their own power. In the rare instances they have managed to in large enough numbers, the consequences of the damage they have caused easily match the level of catastrophe that could be expected from a great and ancient red dragon. Tales of powerful kings suddenly gone mad and slaying their only living heirs. Normally happy children irrationally throwing themselves in front of a merchant wagon to the horror of their parents. Loyal noble family pets slaying their masters and eating their bodies overnight. Stories such as these can be attributed to a well manipulated Avaretus Swarm.

Culture

The Avaretus have an instinctual hive mind. They do not possess any form of telepathy, but they naturally act almost identically in thought and motivation when in combat, allowing them to form lethal swarms of coordinated destruction. Otherwise, the Avaretus are bickering, filthy, petty creatures. They do not have any sort of hierarchy or social conduct, and exist only for the suffering of those who are not Avaretus.

Avaretus Types

Race: Avaretus
Level: 18
XP: 3600
Description: A ravening swarm of Avaretus
Keywords: Devil
Habitat: The Infernal Plane