Lenshopper
Beast · no Crown (Meridian)
T1d4Minor
Fist-sized grasshopper-like insects with oversized crystalline eyes that refract light, capable of focusing sunlight into beams that can ignite dry wood in swarms.
Tier 1 · Role Minor · Pool Vigor 1 (+1 overflow) · AC 10 · ATK +2 · Save DC 11 · Dmg 1 (flat)
| Stat | Score | Mod | Die |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body | 6 | - | - |
| Mind | 4 | - | - |
| Sense | 12 | - | - |
| Heart | 12 | - | - |
| Cunning | 12 | - | - |
| Fate | 12 | - | - |
A Minor has no attribute mechanics: the scores describe the creature, they do not roll.
Passives
Eye Lenses
Its crystalline eyes only work as weapons in direct sunlight; in shade or darkness it is harmless. A swarm of 20 or more can ignite dry wood in 3 rounds.
Maneuvers
Focused Beam
In direct sunlight, it fixes its lens on a target within 15 ft. The target saves against Body (DC 11) or takes 1 damage as the beam scorches; on a success it takes 1 Vigor damage.
Reactions
Reflex Leap
When an attack targets it, it springs 10 ft in a random direction; the attack is made with disadvantage.
Tactics
GM tactics
Lenshoppers are unintentional hazards, not combatants. Swarms focus sunbeams on shiny or reflective objects, accidentally igniting fires. They scatter when disturbed.
Running it
Rules
- Vigor equal to Tier, with an overflow of the same size behind it: 1, then 1 more. Neither half regenerates.
- A hit deals a flat 1, no roll. A crit (natural 20 only) rolls d4 and never lands below 1.
- Crits on a natural 20 only.
- Minor: no stat modifiers or dice in play; its scores describe the creature, they do not roll.
- At 0 Vigor it breaks and flees, out of the fight but alive; Fanatics fight on into the overflow instead.
- Total damage reaching 2 kills it outright, and a single blow of 2 or more kills it on the spot.
- Vigor damage is simply damage against a Minor: its whole pool is Vigor.
- Group morale: when its group loses half its number, fled or dead, the rest check morale.
- NPCs never take wounds.