Karaban swarm creatures are highly insectile in appearance,
with a hard, chitinous shell covering their bodies, six large,
multifaceted eyes, and four razor sharp mandibles. Their eight,
long, triple jointed, very sharp tipped legs add to the impression.
However, they are not quite insects, as their exoskeleton is
composed of Kriodikeratin, a substance considerably harder and
denser than chitin, and, in addition to their exoskeleton the
bodies of the swarm creatures are supported by an internal skeleton
of the same material. Their muscular efficiency is a good deal
greater than that of insects, which enables them to perform
typically insectile feats of endurance, speed, and power, despite
their relatively enormous size, as the swarm creatures reach around
a meter and a half in length, and a little less than that in
height.
Some theorists have postulated that the Karaban swarm
creatures are actualy intelligent, with a hive mind coordinated by
a central intelligence. However, while evidence of their
intelligence can be found, there is little data to support the
contention that it is of a hive mind nature. Despite the fact that
they have demonstrated some evidence of intelligence, coordinating
attacks against fleeing prey, and using tools if necessary, the
swarm creatures have never developed any form of culture or
civilization, as they are simply too hungry to stop and thing about
things of that sort.
The swarm creatures spend their waking hours in a ceaseless
hunt for food, except during late summer, when they spend a night
in search of mates, an effort which burns up their energy reserves
and kills them. This lifestyle tends to lead them to rather
simplistic hunt and kill world view, as they have no time for more
abstruse speculations. Swarm creatures are highly impatient
beings, driven to perform everything as quickly as possible.
The muscular power of the Karaban swarm creatures is provided
by their super efficient muscular system. However, in order to
keep that system fueled, the swarm creatures must constantly eat.
Quiescent by day, encased in solid chitinous cocoons, buried below
the surface, the swarm creatures scour the forests of Karbakul of all life during the nighttime
hours.
The Karaban Swarm creatures group in swarms of 20-400 members,
which move through the forests of Karbakul, killing and eating
anything that did not conceal itself well enough to avoid
detection. The various forms of local wildlife have become masters
of concealment, and in order to survive, the Karaban swarm
creatures have become masters of detection, able to find enough of
those creatures to survive.
Unknown off their homeworld, the Karaban swarm creatures are
seen as a deadly menace on Karbakul. The Trent Systems, the
Imperial fragment in control of Karbakul, has attempted massive
defoliation, contamination of the groundwater, and biowarfare in
order to eliminate the swarm creatures, but these efforts have
proven unsuccessful. The garrison on Karbakull is protected
against their attacks by a number of defence mechanisms, which have
thus far proved successful in deterring or defeating swarm attacks.
Dexterity: 5D+2
Brawling Parry 6D+2, Dodge 6D+2, Running 7D
Perception: 4D
Search 6D+2, Sneak 5D
Strength: 5D
Climbing/Jumping 7D, Brawling 6D, Stamina 6D
Move: 27
Average Size: 1.43 meters tall, 1.54 meters long
Special Abilities:
Climbing/Jumping: Due to the nature of their legs,
Karaban swarm creatures can jump sixteen times the length and
height of humans of equivalent strength and skill.
Natural Weapons and Armor: The swarm creature's shells
give them a 3D bonus vs. physical attacks, and 2D vs. energy
damage, but decays rapidly once the creature is killed. The swarm
creature's legs inflict STR+3D+2, and their bite inflicts STR+2D
damage.
Heightened Senses: The swarm creatures can detect life
forms through their acutely enhanced perceptional array. In game
turns they gain a +2D bonus to their search rolls when trying to
detect living creatures.
Weaknesses:
Fear of light: While light does not cause any actual
damage to the Swarm creatures, they hate and fear it, as it
represents the day, when they are vulnerable. Karaban swarm
creatures tend to avoid well lit areas.