Stirge

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Stirge Introduction

In the dim, shadowy recesses of the ancient forest, where the light of the sun barely pierces the thick canopy, a sinister presence lurks. The air is thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves, and the silence is broken only by the occasional rustle of unseen creatures. It is here, in this foreboding realm, that the stirge makes its home. A creature of nightmare and legend, the stirge is a small, bat-like beast with leathery wings and a long, needle-like proboscis that it uses to drain the life from its prey.

The stirge is a grotesque sight to behold. Its body is small and emaciated, covered in a thin layer of bristly fur that does little to conceal the skeletal frame beneath. Its wings, though fragile-looking, are surprisingly strong, allowing it to glide silently through the air in search of its next meal. The creature's most terrifying feature, however, is its proboscis—a long, hollow appendage that it uses to pierce the flesh of its victims and siphon their blood with a sickening efficiency.

Stirges are nocturnal hunters, emerging from their roosts at dusk to prowl the forest in search of warm-blooded creatures to feed upon. They are drawn to the scent of blood and the warmth of living bodies, and they are relentless in their pursuit of sustenance. Once a stirge has latched onto its prey, it is nearly impossible to dislodge, its grip as tenacious as a vice. The victim is left weakened and drained, often succumbing to the stirge's attack if not rescued in time.

Legends speak of entire villages abandoned due to stirge infestations, the inhabitants driven away by the relentless bloodsuckers. Some say that the stirge is a creature of dark magic, a twisted creation of a long-forgotten sorcerer who sought to unleash terror upon the world. Others believe that the stirge is a natural predator, a necessary evil in the delicate balance of the forest ecosystem. Whatever the truth may be, one thing is certain: the stirge is a creature to be feared and respected, a reminder of the dangers that lurk in the shadows of the world.

Stirge Skills & Traits

Skills

• Stealth +3

Senses

• Darkvision 60 ft.
• Passive Perception 9

Languages

• None

Abilities

• Blood Drain: A stirge that hits a creature with its proboscis attack attaches to the target. While attached, the stirge doesn't attack. Instead, at the start of each of the stirge's turns, the target loses 1d4 hit points due to blood loss.
• Detach: The stirge can detach itself by spending 5 feet of its movement. It does so after it drains 10 hit points of blood from the target or the target dies.
• Flyby: The stirge doesn't provoke opportunity attacks when it flies out of an enemy's reach.

Actions

• Proboscis: Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage, and the stirge attaches to the target. While attached, the stirge doesn't attack. Instead, at the start of each of the stirge's turns, the target loses 1d4 hit points due to blood loss.

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Battle Tips for Stirges

Stirges are small, bat-like creatures with long proboscises that they use to drain the blood of their victims. While individually weak, they can pose a significant threat in large numbers. Here are some tips for using stirges effectively in battle:

Using Stirges in Battle

• Ambush Tactics: Stirges are excellent at ambushing unsuspecting adventurers. Have them hang from the ceiling or hide in dark corners, waiting to drop down on their prey when they least expect it.
• Swarm Attack: Stirges are most effective when they attack in swarms. Use their numbers to overwhelm players, making it difficult for them to fend off all the attacks at once.
• Target Weak Characters: Stirges should focus on characters with low armor class or those who are already injured. This increases their chances of successfully attaching and draining blood.

Coordinating Multiple Stirges

• Divide and Conquer: Have the stirges split up and target different party members to spread out the damage and create chaos among the adventurers.
• Focus Fire: Alternatively, multiple stirges can focus on a single target to quickly drain their blood and incapacitate them, turning the tide of battle in their favor.
• Retreat and Regroup: If the battle turns against them, stirges can disengage and retreat to a safe location to regroup and plan another ambush.

Fleeing Strategies

• Use the Environment: Stirges can use their flying ability to escape through small openings or high ceilings that adventurers cannot easily reach.
• Distraction Tactics: Have some stirges create a distraction while others make their escape, ensuring that at least a portion of the swarm survives to fight another day.
• Retreat to Safety: Stirges can retreat to their lair or a pre-determined safe zone where they can recover and plan their next attack.

By using these tactics, a dungeon master can effectively incorporate stirges into their campaign, creating challenging and memorable encounters for their players.