The Aethervale

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monster

Swarm of Clockwork Roaches

Swarm of Clockwork Roaches
Swarm of Clockwork Roaches
CR 4
Medium construct, Unaligned
Reveal Stat Block
Armor Class
15 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points
77 (14d8 + 14)
Speed
30 ft., climb 30 ft.
str
10
+0
dex
18
+4
con
12
+1
int
1
-5
wis
10
+0
cha
1
-5

Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, slashing

Damage Immunities poison, psychic

Condition Immunities charmed, exhausted, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained, stunned

Senses darkvision 60 ft., tremorsense 30 ft., passive Perception 10

Languages -

Traits

Swarm.The swarm can occupy another creature's space and vice versa, and the swarm can move through any opening large enough for a Tiny insect. The swarm can't regain hit points or gain temporary hit points.
Dismantle.The swarm deals double damage to objects and structures made of metal. When the swarm hits a creature wearing metal armor, the armor takes a permanent and cumulative -1 penalty to the AC it offers. The armor is destroyed if the penalty reduces its AC to 10.

Actions

Bites.Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 0 ft., one creature in the swarm's space. Hit: 14 (4d6) piercing damage, or 7 (2d6) piercing damage if the swarm has half of its hit points or fewer.

Swarm of Clockwork Roaches

Clockwork Roaches were a triumph of the early Steam-Wrights—tiny, self-replicating automata designed to crawl into the tightest crevices of Aether-Engines to clear soot and tighten loose bolts. However, after the "Great Re-Calibration," many of these swarms lost contact with their master-controllers. Left to their own devices, their programming warped. They no longer distinguish between a loose bolt and a knight's plate armor.

Behavior

A swarm of Clockwork Roaches sounds like a thousand clicking sewing machines. They move with a terrifying, synchronized efficiency. When they find a source of refined metal, they descend upon it, using high-speed vibration mandibles to "un-weave" the metal at a molecular level.

Infestation

Infestations are a major hazard in Steamfort's lower sectors. A single roach is a nuisance; a swarm can strip a steam-carriage to its chassis in minutes. The Kobolds of the Great Network have learned to lure these swarms toward dwarven fortifications, using them as living, metal-eating siege engines.

Weaknesses

While resistant to most physical attacks, the roaches are vulnerable to extreme heat or cold, which jams their delicate internal gears. A well-placed Shocking Grasp can also cause a short-circuit that ripples through the entire swarm, momentarily paralyzing them.