A blood-sucking insect about a foot long and a more active hunter than its smaller kin
A Giant Tick is a blood-sucking insect about a foot long and is a more active hunter than its smaller kin. It typically first attacks by dropping out of a tree or other height when prey walks by, usually with complete surprise. It weighs little when not engorged, so usually the victim does not notice when a tick drops upon them. Adding to this, the tick's bite has an anesthetic quality, so the victim must save vs. Poison to notice the bite, which still causes 1d3 points of damage regardless. The GM should roll or otherwise keep results of these savings throws secret. Whether or not it is noticed, the tick drains blood for 1d4 points of damage every subsequent turn until either the victim dies or 20 such points of damage are drained. The hit points drained are not immediately noticed until the attached tick is realized. Each turn the victim may save again to notice the attached tick. After draining the mentioned 20 hit points from a target (or the target dies), the tick will drop off to finish its breeding cycle. An attached tick does not need to roll morale.
The tick is very durable and difficult to remove. Using brute force requires a Strength ability check (see Ability Rolls sec
Basic Fantasy Field Guide Omnibus
Giant invertebrates that dwell in ruins and upper dungeon levels
These giant invertebrates typically dwell in ruins and upper dungeon levels, though some are found in forests as well. They usually seek to ambush their prey, jumping out from hiding. Their initial attack inflicts the damage indicated, and thereafter the giant tick drains 1d6 hp worth of blood automatically. Their bite can cause disease as a giant leech bite does.
Treasure: None.
OSRIC