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Hopper Bugs |
By: PhyreCop1@aol.com
The Bugs from Starship Troopers
They come from a planet that is mostly high desert and craggy, boulder-strewn mountains. Though they prefer an arid environment, they have also been found on nearly ever other type of planet, mostly those with forest, jungle and grassy plains.
The various bug species seem to live in a multilateral hive community with a very structured caste system. The leaders of the hive are the Brain Bugs , a highly intelligent psionic creature with amazing abilities. They are assisted by the Tunneler Roaches. These also serve as the builder/maintenance personnel for the hive. The Warrior Bugs act as both heavy workers and infantry. The Tanker Bugs with their flaming acid are like huge tanks, moving across the terrain sweeping the way clear of enemies. The Hopper Bugs are like a short-range air force as well as a decent form of reconnaissance for the hive. The Plasma Bugs act as a planetary defense by filling the sky and orbital space with massive balls of organic plasma capable of destroying a medium-sized spaceship.
Though similarities exist between the various bugs, it is believed that they are separate life forms and each caste species lays it's own eggs within the various chambers of the hive. The hive itself is a monumental construct in itself. A typical sized hive might cover 20-30 square miles of a planet, and descend as much as a mile below the surface. Some hives are rumored to be 10-20 times this size, though no one as yet has been able to document this.
Hopper Bug (Opiliones)
Another of the vicious protectors of the hive are the Hoppers. These iridescent green and black insects have a similar appearance to their Warrior cousins, except that they are slightly smaller, have different coloring, possess a stinger-type appendage beneath their belly and they have a set of shimmering wings mounted on their backs.
There are generally between 10 and 50 Hoppers in the smaller sized hives. The larger hives will breed between 100 and 300 Hoppers. A major hive community might have as many as 800-1000 Hoppers. Although they can move along the ground in a similar manner as their cousins, they prefer to launch themselves into the air with powerful jumps and then glide forward in a sort of "straffing-run."
They possess the same form of plier-like mandibles and a pair of claw-like arms as the Warriors. Their special combat talent comes in the form of their ability to cut through an opponent with the razor-sharp leading edge of their wings (usually a very quick decapitation).
Although they can only make short-distance hop-glide movements (glide ratio: 1:3), they have been known to reach a forward speed of 241km/hr (150mph). This is more than enough momentum for their wings to have the leverage to cut through an opponent's body.
The Hoppers will usually attack in 2's or 4's, but larger waves are not unheard of. It is safe to assume an attack will have 2D4 Hoppers, especially if there is any higher ground in the immediate area from which they can launch.
NPC Villains --------- Not available as player
characters.
Alignment: Considered evil.
Attributes: I.Q.: 1D6, M.E.:
1D6 + 6, M.A.: 1D6 + 6, P.S.: 3D6 +
22, P.P.: 4D6 + 6, P.E.: 5D6,
P.B.: 2D4, Spd: 1D6 x 10 (ground)
1D4 x 100 (air). Considered to have superhuman strength and
endurance.
M.D.C. by Location:
Main Body ----- 400
*Hind Legs (2) ----- 50
*Fore Legs (2) ----- 30
*Attack Claws (2) ----- 20
*Stinger ----- 20
**Wings (2) ----- 200 S.D.C. (Surface sheet), 20 M.D.C. (Sharp leading edge)
*Head (upper & lower jaws, eyes {4}) ------ 50 each.
(*) These targets are difficult to hit, requiring a called shot at -4 to strike, -8 while in flight.
(**) The wing surface is a near transparent sheet of fibrous webbing. Only the razor-sharp leading edge has the chitinous armor.
Horror Factor: 17
Magic Abilities: None.
P.P.E.: 4D6
Psionic Abilities: Telepathy between hive members and See
Invisible.
I.S.P.: 2D6 x 10 plus 10 per level.
Natural Abilities: Multi-spectrum vision equivalent to
cybernetic multi-optics eye and radar (range 200 feet/61 m).
Regenerates lost M.D.C. at the rate of 1D4 x 10 M.D.C. per 8 hour
rest period. Able to psionically recognize and communicate with
members of their own species, and other allied insectoids. Can jump
and glide for extended periods. Jump range; 50+ meters, Glide ratio
1:3.
Experience Level: Average 1D6 + 2
Psionic Powers: Telepathy between hive members and See Invisible.
Vulnerabilities/Penalties: Takes double damage from psionic
attacks. Takes full damage from M.D. fire, plasma, nuclear, and
magic.
Combat (Natural abilities): 6 hand-to-hand attacks at level
one; add one more attack at levels five and seven.
Damage: Claws 4D6 M.D. Mandibles 2D4 x 10 M.D. Legs 1D4 x 10
M.D. Wings 2D6 M.D. Stinger 1D6 x 10 M.D.
Bonuses: +4 on initiative, +6 to strike, +7 to parry and
dodge, +5 to roll/pull punch, +3 save vs. magic, +12 to save vs.
horror factor. All in addition to attribute bonuses. Add +1 to strike
at level five, and +1 to parry and dodge at levels five and
seven.
R.C.C Skills: Skills limited to track by vibration 80% + 3%
per level, track by sight 60% + 5% per level, climbing 40% + 5% per
level.
Average Life Span: Approximately 20 Years
Size: 5-8 feet (1.5-2.4 m) tall and 10-15 feet (3.0-4.5 m)
long, not including leg-span.
Weight: 485 kg (1070+lbs)
Enemies: Anyone and anything that is not of their hive or
sister hives.