Actions/Abilities/Traits: (OSR)
Action
1 swarm
2 points
Action
swarm
1 * swarm (2 or 4hp)
Special
Type and locomotion
A swarm may be composed of creepers (e.g. spiders, ants, centipedes) or flyers (e.g. bees, hornets). Some swarms are capable of both types of movement (e.g. beetles, locusts).
Special
Size
10' * 30' area, typically.
Special
Immunity
Only harmed by fire, extreme cold, sleep spells (affect the whole swarm), smoke (drives off), or other attacks as the referee wishes.
Special
Swarm attack
Automatically damages characters within swarm area: 2hp if wearing armour, 4hp without.
Special
Warding off
Characters inside the swarm who defend themselves by brandishing a weapon (or similar) suffer half damage from the swarm. A brandished torch damages the swarm.
Special
Escaping
On exiting the swarm, characters continue to suffer half damage until 3 rounds are spent swatting the attached insects.
Special
Diving into water
Suffer damage for one round, then attached insects drown.
Special
Pursuit
An angry (i.e. damaged) swarm will pursue characters until they are out of sight or inaccessible.