Small beast (giant animal), unaligned
Armor Class 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points 4 (1d6 + 1)
Speed 30 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +2
Proficiency Bonus +2 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 (-1) | 10 (+0) | 12 (+1) | 1 (-5) | 7 (-1) | 3 (-4) |
Senses blindsight 30 ft., passive Perception 8
Languages –
Challenge 0 (10 XP)
Illumination. The beetle sheds bright light in a 10-foot radius and dim light for an additional 10 feet.
ACTIONS
- Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +1 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 2 (1d6 – 1) slashing damage.
- Bite (suggested). Melee Weapon Attack: +1 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (2d4 – 1) slashing damage.
DESCRIPTION
A giant fire beetle is a large insect that has a pair of glowing glands on its head and abdomen. These glands emit bright light that can illuminate dark areas. The beetle has a hard carapace that protects it from predators and a powerful mandible that can deliver a painful bite. The beetle is usually brown or black in color, with red or orange spots on its back. The beetle can grow up to 2 feet long and weigh up to 15 pounds.
Giant beetles are similar to their more ordinary counterparts, but thousands of times larger — with chewing mandibles and hard wings that provide substantial armor protection. Beetles have two pairs of wings and three pairs of legs. Fortunately, the wings of a giant beetle cannot be used to fly, and in most cases, its six bristly legs do not enable it to move as fast as a fleeing man. The hard, chitinous shell of several varieties of these beetles are brightly colored, and sometimes have value to art collectors.
While their shells protect beetles as well as plate mail armor, it is difficult to craft armor from them, and a skilled alchemist would need to be brought in on the job.
All beetles are basically unintelligent and always hungry. They will feed on virtually any form of organic material, including other sorts of beetles. They taste matter with their antennae, or feelers; if a substance tasted is organic, the beetle grasps it with its mandibles, crushes it, and eats it.
Because of the thorough grinding of the mandibles, nothing eaten by giant beetles can be revived by anything short of a wish. Beetles do not hear or see well, and rely primarily on taste and feel.
Except as noted below, giant beetles are not really social animals; those that are found near each other are competitors for the same biological niche, not part of any family unit.
The smallest of the giant beetles, fire beetles are nevertheless capable of delivering serious damage with their powerful mandibles. They are found both above and below ground, and are primarily nocturnal.
COMBAT
A giant fire beetle is not very aggressive, but it will defend itself if threatened. It can use its bite to slash at enemies, inflicting moderate damage. The beetle’s light can also be used to distract or blind foes, giving it an advantage in dark environments. The beetle is vulnerable to fire, cold, and poison, as well as attacks that target its soft underbelly.
Despite its name, the fire beetle has no fire attacks, relying instead on its huge mandibles to inflict the damage of a short sword in a single attack.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
A giant fire beetle is a nocturnal creature that prefers dark and damp places. It can be found in underground caverns, mines, forests, swamps, and ruins. The beetle feeds on plants, fungi, carrion, and small animals. It is usually solitary, but it may form small colonies with other beetles of its kind. The beetle communicates with other beetles by flashing its light in different patterns.
ECOLOGY
A giant fire beetle plays an important role in the ecosystem, as it helps decompose organic matter and spread seeds and spores. The beetle’s light also attracts other creatures, some of which may prey on it or become its prey. The beetle’s glands are highly valued by miners and adventurers, who use them as sources of light or as components for magic items. The glands can continue to glow for several days after the beetle dies.
The light from these glands is cold — it produces no heat. Many mages and alchemists are eager to discover the secret of this cold light, which could be not only safe, but economical, with no parts to heat up and burn out. In theory, they say, such a light source could last forever.
Giant Fire Beetle is employed as material component to empower the following spells: