Mythic Monsyer Mondays: Tracker Jacker Swarm

                                                                      Image by CandyMachine85 and taken from www.DeviantArt.com

By Andrew Hoskins

Tracker Jacker Swarm

A high-pitched whistle of a buzz announces the arrival of a mass of many thousands of angry, glittering golden wasps.

Mythic Wasp Swarm   CR 4/MR 2

XP 1,200

N diminutive vermin (mythic, swarm)

Init +1/-19; Senses darkvision 60 ft., scent; Perception +9

DEFENSE

AC17, touch 17, flat-footed 14 (+1 Dex, +2dodge, +4 size)

hp54 (7d8+23)

Fort +6, Ref +3, Will +3

Defensive Abilities swarm traits;DR5/epic; Immune weapon damage

Weakness swarm traits

OFFENSE

Speed5 ft., fly 40 ft. (good)

Melee swarm (2d6 plus poison and tracking)

Space10 ft.; Reach0 ft.

Special Attacks distraction (DC 14), mythic power (2/day, surge +1d6), poison (DC 14)

STATISTICS

Str1, Dex13, Con12, Int–, Wis12, Cha9

Base Atk +5; CMB–; CMD –

Skills Fly +11, Perception +9; Racial Modifiers +8 Perception

SQ dual initiative, swarm traits, vermin traits

ECOLOGY

Environment temperate forests

Organization solitary, pair, fury (3-6 swarms), maelstrom (7-12 swarms)

Treasure none

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Dual Initiative (Ex)Tracker Jacker swarms get two turns each round, one on its initiative count and another on its initiative count – 20.

Tracker Jacker Venom (Ex)Swarm-injury; save Fort DC 14; frequency 1/round for 4 rounds; effect 1d2 Constitution damage plus 1 Wisdom drain, confusion, and shaken; cure 2 consecutive saves. The save DC is Constitution-based.
Even if the target saves against the poison, they remain confused and shaken for the entire duration but take no further ability score damage. This includes poison durations extended because of multiple exposures. When the confusion wears off, the victim is left exhausted.

Tracking (Ex)Tracker jackers can use the scent special rule against any creature it has dealt damage to within the last minute. Furthermore, they can automatically sense the direction of these creatures if they are within 80 feet and they may use their Perception skill to track targets. A tracker jacker swarm will pursue fleeing prey for as long as possible, prioritizing the closest prey. If a tracker jacker swarm cannot attack a target within 1 minute, they will give up pursuit and go back to their hive.

Although they seem to look and act like normal wasps, their bulky bodies and shiny gold carapace gives them away as genetically engineered mutations created by The Capitol. They are well known for their venom, which causes sharp pain and hallucinations. The effect of the venom can become permanent, and is often used as an aid in brainwashing or mental re-programing.

These bio-weapons were deployed around the districts and The Capitol’s outer regions during the Dark Days. Once the war was over, The Capitol removed the tracker jacker nests from around their own territory, but left them in place to keep the districts under control. They are frequently used in defensive pods and in the annual Hunger Games.