New Low-level Oe/BX/1E Monster: Oxyx

This week's new monster is another one of those low-level monster that are more of a nuisance than anything else. But if you're looking for a creature that your players are unfamiliar with (and therefore unprepared to deal with), this one might just fit the bill.

DESCRIPTION Oxyxes are giant fuzzy insectoids with a gorilla-esque faces and bat-like wings. They are underground dwellers and have infravision to a distance of 30’. However, any intense heat source (e.g., a torch or fire) within 10’ of their line of sight blurs their vision for 1-4 turns (attacking at -3 while affected). They are relatively harmless except that their bite carries a very mild toxin whose cumulative effects will temporarily slow or paralyze an affected creature. When a creature has been bitten (failed saving throws vs. poison) by a number of oxys attacks (with successful “to hit” rolls ) equal to the its hit dice, its movement will be slowed to one-half. When a creature has been bitten by a number of oxyxes equal to twice the creature’s hit dice, then the creature will be paralyzed. The duration of any single oxyx bite is 1 turn. Oxyx toxin is curable by most standard and magical means.

Oe/1E STATS FREQUENCY: Rare NO. APPEARING: 5-50 ARMOR CLASS: 8 MOVE: 3”/12” HIT DICE: 1-2 pts. % IN LAIR: 15% TREASURE TYPE: Nil NO. OF ATTACKS: 1 DAMAGE/ATTACK: Nil SPECIAL ATTACKS: Slow SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard INTELLIGENCE: Non- ALIGNMENT: Neutral SIZE: S (10-12” long) PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil Attack/Defense Modes: Nil BX STATS ARMOR CLASS: 8 HIT DICE: 1-2 pts. MOVE: 30’/120’ ATTACKS: 1 bite DAMAGE: Slow NO. APPEARING: 5-20 SAVE AS: Normal man MORALE: 6 TREASURE TYPE: Nil ALIGNMENT: Neutral