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Documentation Area

Document Path: /doc/monsters/scorpion

Name:
	Giant Scorpion  (Lesser Animal)

Stats:
	No. Appearing  : 1-6
	Climate/Terrain: Warm wilderness and subterranean areas
	Frequency      : Uncommon
	Organization   : Swarm
	Activity Cycle : Any
	Diet           : Carnivore

Description:
	Giant scorpions are vicious predators that live almost anywhere, inclu-
	ding relatively cold places such as dungeons, though they favour de-
	serts and warm lands. These creatures are giant versions of the normal
	4-inch-long scorpion found in desert climes.

	The giant scorpion has a green carapace and yellowish green legs and
	pincers. The segmented tail is black, with a vicious stinger on the
	end. There is a bitter smell associated with the scorpion, which pro-
	bably comes from the venom. They make an unnerving scrabbling sound as
	they travel across dungeon floors.

Combat:
	The giant scorpion is 95% likely to attack any creature that approa-
	ches. The creature has a hard, chitinous carapace. This monster attacks
	by grabbing prey with its two huge pincersm while it lashes forward
	with its tail to sting. Thus, it can fight three opponents at once. If
	a giant scorpion manages to grab a victim in a pincer, it will automa-
	tically inflict damage each round until it releases the victim or the
	victim can break free. However, this can be the character's only action
	that round and if can be tried only once per combat. A trapped char-
	acter is automatically struck by any sting attack directed at him with
	no attack roll required.

	Note that scorpions are not immune to their own poison. If a scorpion
	is reduced to 1 or 2 hit points, it will go into a stinging frenzy,
	stinging everything in sight, gaining two attempts to hit per round
	with only one tail. Slain creatures are dragged to the scorpion's bur-
	row to be eaten.

Habitat/Society:
	Giant scorpions live in underground burrows or dungeons. Each lair may
	have 5-20 scorpion eggs. These beasts eat any living creature that is
	unfortunate enough to stray too close to their lair. Any treasure found
	comes from the bodies of human or demi-human victims that have been
	dragged here to be consumed. Armour is rarely found intact, since the
	scorpion will surely have used its pincers to cut up its prey.

Ecology:
	These bizarre insects contribute to the ecosystem by feeding on other
	giant versions of insects such as spiders and ants. They themselves are
	prey for purple worms and other huge, subterranean creatures. Alche-
	mists and assassins prize the scorption's venom because of its potency.

	Also often found in dungeons and wildernesses are the smaller versions
	of the giant scorpion, the large and the huge scorpion.