2e Tuesday - Zarns

That's right, Gamma World 2d edition... what 2e did you think I meant?  Every Tuesday I will pick one of my favorite monsters from the fully illustrated bestiary included in the 2d edition Gamma World Basic Rules Booklet and convert it to Mutant Future.  Today's monster is...

Zarns (Borer Beetles)

No. Enc: 1d4-2

Alignment:  Neutral

Movement: 60' (20')

Armor Class: 6

Hit Dice: 2

Attacks: 1 (spit)

Damage:  Paralysis (2d4 turns)

Save:  L1

Morale: 8

Hoard Class: none (Zarns move around constantly, and their victims often travel for days before dying, so the characteristic pile of loot accumulated from victim after victim is not found with the Zarns)

Despite barely reaching one foot in length, these bright orange beetles terrify all who cross their path.  They attack anything that moves, spitting gobs of paralytic venom up to 20' then teleporting to a new position to renew their onslaught.  Due to the intensity of the venom, the save vs. poison is made at a -2 penalty, and the venom remains active for 1d4 hours; until it is washed off, a new save is required every turn it remains active.  If a Zarn succeeds in paralyzing a victim, it will bore into its skull (doing 2d6 damage in the process) and lay 1d12+4 eggs inside which hatch within 48 hours unless removed (a difficult procedure without surgical equipment).  Newly hatched Zarns consume their host from the brain down to the toes, leaving an empty bag of skin behind when they emerge fully grown.

Mutations:  Special: Minor Teleport (identical in all respects to the Teleport mutation except it has a range of 200')

You better hope you spot this one before it spots you (unless you like the idea of being beetle brain food...)!  I love this illustration as well, the eyes on that thing are pure evil.