Giant Springtail
Springtail, Giant
This bulbous creature resembles a pudgy insect the size of a cat. A forked tail-like appendage unfolds from its belly, launching it high into the air.
Springtails are among the most common animals in the soil, and giant springtails, while not nearly so numerous, can reach enormous densities under the right conditions. Giant springtails are scavengers that delight in consuming fungi of all kinds, including monstrous or hazardous varieties. As such, they are often tolerated or even encouraged by subterranean peoples as an alternative to the hazards posed by green slime, yellow mold and more active varieties. Not surprisingly, vegepygmies consider giant springtails a menace, and hunt them to extinction in their territory.
Giant springtails are rarely hostile towards humanoids, preferring to flee than fight. An exception may be made for travelers carrying bright lights, which irritate the springtails, or those carrying fungal specimens. A giant springtail’s attack consists of a rather soft headbutt, but this can be amplified by their fantastic leaping abilities. A leaping springtail essentially transforms itself into a living missile.
Giant springtails can be found in almost any habitat, but avoid deserts and other dry climes as they desiccate easily. A giant springtail grows about a foot long and weighs between 5 and 10 pounds. A giant springtail may be taken as a familiar. A spellcaster with a giant springtail familiar gains a +3 bonus to Acrobatics checks.
Giant Springtail CR 1/3
XP 135
N Tiny vermin
Init +3; Senses darkvision 60 ft., Perception +0, tremorsense 30 ft.
Defense
AC 15, touch 15, flat-footed 12 (+2 size, +3 Dex)
hp 6 (1d8+1)
Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +0
Defensive Abilities fungivore, mindless
Offense
Speed 30 ft., burrow 10 ft.
Melee slam +1 (1d3-1)
Space 2 ½ ft.; Reach 0 ft.
Special Attacks powerful charge (slam, 1d6-1)
Statistics
Str 9, Dex 17, Con 12, Int -, Wis11, Cha 10
Base Atk +0; CMB +1; CMD 10 (+16 vs. trip)
Feats Mobility (B)
Skills Acrobatics +13; Racial Modifiers +10 Acrobatics
SQ leap
Ecology
Environment any land or underground
Organization solitary, pair, cluster (3-30) or swarm (see below)
Treasure none
Special Abilities
Fungivore (Ex) A giant springtail is immune to damage from green slime. In addition, it gains a +4 bonus on any Fortitude saves made against a fungal hazard or the special attacks of a plant creature made of fungus (such as a basidrond or violet fungus).
Leap (Ex) A giant springtail does not take penalties for making a standing long jump. If it gets a running start, it travels twice the normal distance, and can travel farther than its move speed.
Giant Springtail Swarm
Hundreds of pale, bulbous insects surge towards you.
Giant Springtail Swarm CR 2
XP 600
N Tiny vermin (swarm)
Init +3; Senses darkvision 60 ft., Perception +0, tremorsense 30 ft.Defense
AC 15, touch 15, flat-footed 12 (+2 size, +3 Dex)
hp 22 (4d8+4)
Fort +5, Ref +4, Will +1
Defensive Abilities fungivore (see above), mindless, swarm traits
Weakness swarm traits
Offense
Speed 30 ft., burrow 10 ft.
Melee swarm (1d6 plus distraction)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 0 ft.
Special Attacks batter, distraction (DC 13)
Statistics
Str 9, Dex 17, Con 12, Int -, Wis11, Cha 10
Base Atk +3; CMB -; CMD –
Feats Mobility (B)
Skills Acrobatics +13; Racial Modifiers +10 Acrobatics
SQ leap (see above)
Ecology
Environment any land or underground
Organization solitary or plague (2-12 swarms)
Treasure none
Special Abilities
Batter (Ex) Any round a giant springtail swarm moves at least its land speed, it deals double damage with its swarm attack.