The beetles' grenades are actually modified eggs, launched by high-pressure ovipositor-air guns. Curiously, the males of most grenadier beetle species also posses ovipositors and are able to launch egg case projectiles. The males' pseudo-egg cases are, however, quite infertile. Male grenadier beetles are usually only ¾ the length of the females.
Because the ovipositor is located at the rear of the insect, most grenadier beetles instinctively face away from danger. This directs their launchers back towards the foe and also faces the beetle in the proper direction for a judicious retreat.
Those wishing to cultivate beetles as guard beasts are warned that they are quite stupid and so are very difficult to train. The beetles can climb steep surfaces unless they are glass-smooth or oily-slick, but, despite being very buoyant, are very poor swimmers, and so will not cross water (or other liquid) moats deeper than the beetles are tall (1/4 of their length.) They are also not agile, and so would not be able to cross a rope or chain bridge that lacked slats.
While few beetles are active when the weather drops below freezing, many burrow into the tundra and enter a state of suspended hibernation during the cold months, surfacing suddenly as soon as temperatures rise, to take full advantage of warm spells. These sub-arctic beetles can often be distinguished by shovel-like snouts or spade-like flairs on their forelimbs. Other species migrate to avoid harsh weather.
| Class: | Realistic beast |
| Hab: | Any non-aquatic; feed on any plants or fungi |
| Fre: | Common |
| Num: | 1-10 to 20-200 (by habitat richness) |
| Lair: | 20% to 80%, by species |
| Size: | ½' /1 lb., 2' /10 lb., and 8' /50 lb. size species most common |
| Move: | Speedy skitter; 20 mph |
| Def: | Hard armoring exoskeleton |
| Att: | Lob stink bombs |
| Int: | Barely |
| Spec: | Many species; well adapted to specific habitats |
| Posns: | Beautiful shells, often luminescent |
Brilliant Stinkers Grenadier Beetles
Brilliant stinkers are the most primitive of grenadier beetles. Their stink bombs are simply eggs produced with an extreme concentration of compounds of sulfur, methane, and similar substances; it is the ultimate stink bomb. The odor makes skunk spray seem mild and will render an area unbearable for days without proper cleaning and ventilation.
Possessions subject to stink bomb fumes will need cleaning. The more permeable the item, the harder it will be to clean. Paper, fabric, leathers (and furs) are very difficult to clean; while a professional could do the job, destroying and replacing is likely to be less expensive. Non-flammable items may be buried in a cinder pile for a night and burned clean. (Note that this will ruin the temper of any blade.) Other items might be cleaned with soakings and scrubbing in alternate solutions of alcohol, soap, and vinegar.
There are more varieties of little stinkers than there are days in the year. Most eat vegetable matter, fresh or decaying. There are varieties adapted to life in the deepest jungle and the harsh tundra, up in the tree tops and down in cavern depths, amphibious marsh varieties and deep desert sand-swimmer sorts. All are colored brilliantly, to warn off would-be attackers; their flesh reeks as badly as their bombs. Many are actually luminescent; subterranean varieties light up entire caverns.
| Class: | Realistic beast |
| Hab: | Any non-aquatic; diverse species for diverse habitats |
| Fre: | Uncommon |
| Num: | 3-18 to 10-100, by habitat richness |
| Lair: | 20% to 80%, by species |
| Size: | 5' /100 lb., 12' /600 lb., and 30' /1,000 lb. long varieties most common |
| Move: | Slow to medium skitter |
| Def: | Hard armoring exoskeleton |
| Att: | Fragmentation grenade bombs |
| Int: | Barely |
| Spec: | Area-effect shrapnel burst around bomb target |
| Posns: | Incidental |
Fragmentation Grenadier Beetles
Fragmentation grenadier beetles produce eggs that explode forcefully upon impact, flinging half a hundred knife-edged shards.
| Class: | Magical beast |
| Hab: | Near mana sources, such as magical spillages |
| Fre: | Rare |
| Num: | 3-18 to 10-100, by habitat richness |
| Lair: | 20% to 80%, by species |
| Size: | ½' /1 lb., 2' /10 lb., and 8' /50 lb. varieties are most common |
| Move: | Speedy skitter; 20 mph |
| Def: | Hard armoring exoskeleton |
| Att: | Lob magical potions encased in shattering capsules |
| Int: | Barely |
| Spec: | Drain magic by touch from items, Folk, and other critters + varied magical effects |
| Posns: | Alchemical uses; "incidentals" included drained, previously magical items and critters |
Harlequin Grenadier Beetles
Harlequin Grenade Beetles are found primarily near the outflow of alchemical laboratories. The eggs of each are imbued with a different potion effect.
Harlequin beetles are often color-coded, giving local Folk a clue as to what to expect. Of course, this coding varies from region to region.
Harlequin beetles have a taste for magical items, and will pursue them quite avidly. Even when they cannot eat the actual item, they are able to nibble the magic out of it. As they do so, their color swirls and changes to suit their new abilities. Spell-casters and enchanted creatures may likewise have their magical potential drained as they are bitten by the beetles.
The effects of an adult beetle nibbling a magical item or draining a spell-casting from a magically adept person or beast are temporary. However, the beetles like to bring magical items to their grubs and herd magic using Folk to these grubs. The grubs, not having absorbed much magic yet, inflict very severe and permanent magic drains.
| Class: | Basic Beast |
| Hab: | Any non-aquatic; range of species |
| Fre: | Uncommon |
| Num: | 3-18 to 10-100, by habitat richness |
| Lair: | 20% to 80%, by species |
| Size: | 5, 10, and 30 foot long varieties |
| Move: | Slow to medium skitter |
| Def: | Hard armoring exoskeleton |
| Att: | Lob incendiary bombs |
| Int: | Barely |
| Spec: | Area-effect fire-burst around bomb strike |
| Posns: | Fireproof exoskeleton parts, incendiary and alchemical ingredients |
Napalm and Naphtha Grenadier Beetles
The Napalm and Naphtha Beetles are grenadier beetles that fire globs of sticky incendiary hydrocarbon compounds.
Napalm beetles, which have carapaces enforced with infusions of metallic compounds, are scavengers. Packs of beetles scavenge for decaying material; they aggressively defend such savory sites as carcasses and outhouses.
Naphtha beetles, also called Greek Fire beetles, are six-ton giants some 30' in length. Despite their size, they can blend in to their surroundings surprisingly well. They often settle themselves in to shallow pits, pulling underbrush, sand, or other loose material over themselves. They have limited a camouflage ability, enhancing their ability to lie in wait for prey; they are carnivorous, and like their meat well roasted.
As hive mercenaries living communally among "social insects" such as advanced ants, termites, or wasps, napalm beetles double as waste reprocessing units. Naphtha beetles are sufficiently effective guards that hives that do not hunt will willingly give up from their own young the monthly grub needed to satisfy the beetle.
| Creature Index Home | Last update May 12, 2006 |