Friday, June 21, 2024

A Bloody Silver Lining (GLoG Class - The Assassin Bug V1)

When the first hives approached La Republique amidst the waning storms, they did so with open arms. Offering humanity the same gift that elevated the imps was—in their minds—a sound decision; mankind had suffered horrifically under the ire of The Storm Eternal. Trapped in their citadels and abound with civil turmoil, what better time to uplift a sapient species than when they are most malleable? Of course, the hives greatly miscalculated this approach, and in several ways at that, for their promises of unity arrived far too late to cease the coming tide. 

Militarism arose. Mankind eschewed knowledge for authority. From this confluence of social mores were the standing armies born and The Artisinal School corrupted, retched from the mind of a frightened, bewildered council: The First Committee. One-hundred and thirty years of tyranny.

Yet symbiosis is more than a kindness. It is equal part bargain and sign, promises made under threat of retribution. When the hives bestowed upon The Republic their knowledge of The Occult, they did not abandon any pursuits of their own: in fact, they were emboldened by it. The hives knew well that in order to co-exist with humankind, true balance must be struck. Thus, deep within the earth's surface, larvae were grown. Children of a greater purpose. But unlike other imps, your kind were developed to prove a point.

Your existence is a warning; a murky weapon against the humanoid threat.

THE ASSASSIN BUG

+1 Stealth per Template.
Starting Skills: 1) Rock-climbing 2) Mimicry 3) Immobility
Starting Equipment: A burlap sack, your first shell (Table Below).
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A – Imp (Assassin Bug), Corpse Shroud

B – Liquefaction, Mimicking The Sound Of Bees

C – The Perks of Evolution

D – Kiss of Death

Imp (Assassin Bug)
You have a natural weapon (1d8), four arms, and can telepathically communicate with creatures that you are aware of within 15 feet of you. Equipment not specifically designed for you will not fit, and only two of your arms can properly wield equipment such as a sword and shield. The rest—your ancillary limbs—can handle or interact with cup-sized objects just fine.
 
You are one of the few whose role necessitates an existence beyond the hive. You only suffer a -2 penalty (instead of -5) to Will checks made to resist being connected to a brood mother, and only begin making these checks every hour that you remain within a hive's territory. Whenever two imps are within 30 feet, they are immediately alerted to the other's presence, without learning their identity or exact location.

Corpse Shroud
You collect pieces of the dead to wear on your person, which act as piecemeal (+1 Def / +5 Max). You can also prepare whole corpses with a few minutes of prep time, hollowing out their insides and wearing them on your back as shrouds. Shrouds count for three pieces. Whenever you take damage, some of your piecemeal is destroyed (one slot worth), prioritizing individual pieces over your corpse shroud.
 
You can wield a shroud in your larger arms, treating it as a rudimentary shield. You can use your natural weapon while in this state. Wielding your corpse shroud reduces incoming physical damage by 1d6 points, and helps obfuscate your silhouette while sneaking around—humans react differently to a human-shaped silhouette than a giant insect.
 
Given 5x the time and effort, you can scrounge together a shroud made from inanimate material. This can act as camouflage whilst traveling in similar terrain, but can only be struck once before disintegrating.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/80/d5/e7/80d5e7dbf347640889a7edff8193d11a.jpg
Imps can stand upright, but that doesn't mean they have to.
Artist Unknown (Pathfinder Bestiary?)



Liquefaction
Your natural weapon attack deals an additional +1d6 acid damage, and preparing a new corpse shroud also fulfills your daily sustenance requirements.

Mimicking The Sound of Bees
The first time a creature spots you as part of a failed stealth check, if you are wielding your corpse shroud, they hesitate—so long as you remain perfectly still, they will not see you. Creatures will either: investigate their suspicions, get spooked, or ignore you completely (roll 1d3).

Additionally, surprise attacks deals +1d6 damage.

The Perks of Evolution
You finally molt, earning new tools out of circumstance or planned upgrades long overdue. pick one:
  1. Warrior's Brood: Your natural weapon attack has a range of 10', and preparing a new corpse shroud now takes a standard action. When you gain Template D in this class, this becomes a quick action.
  2. Magician's Brood: You learn the Mage Hand cantrip. You also gain 1 MD, and can use that die to cast the Minor Illusion spell. When you gain Template D in this class, you can also cast the Invisibility spell.
  3. Scout's Brood: Your ancillary limbs can be used as lock-picking tools, and you are always aware of the location of a flesh-and-blood creature within 15' of you (through doors, but not solid stone). When you gain Template D in this class, your ancillary limbs can also wield light weapons.

Kiss of Death
Your attacks infect living creatures with an assortment of dangerous parasites. Those that're wounded and survive soon fall ill, as if poisoned. After one month, they must make a Con check—on a failure, they succumb to organ failure and immediately die.

Helps when dealing with apolitical threats, too.
"Assassin Bug With Prey" by Alexander Mett


Your First Shell - 1d12 Table
  1. A literal expression — fragments of molted skin, chunked and scattered to resemble foliage.
  2. A massive pair of wings belonging to a moth or butterfly. Clipped at the base, its pattern remains intact and suitable for illusion.
  3. The mangled body of a young man, expired from the elements and repurposed by you. 
  4. A mammal's head, branching antlers still attached. Its breadth is wider than your torso.
  5. An assortment of human limbs. 
  6. A soldier's corpse. Its back has been hollowed out, yet armor and equipment remain on its person.
  7. Foliage tied into knots and patterns, packed with twigs or rotten mulch; an impromptu ghillie suit.
  8. Your pod-mate didn't survive the trek—but their usefulness has not been exhausted.
  9. The corpse of a knife-eared Elkem. Its head remains warm to the touch; some say that they hold great power. 
  10. A block of ice weighs on your back, crushing your exoskeleton. The benefits are well-worth the risk.
  11. Another imp crossed your path, perhaps a rival from another hive or one unbound from your own. Whatever the reason, they failed to overpower you, and now their remains serve your purpose.
  12. An aristocratic woman, still dressed in her fluffy gown.