Formian Worker

Source: Alien Archive

CR: 1 XP: 200

LN Small monstrous (humanoid)

Init.: +2 (+6 with hive mind) Senses: blindsense (scent) 30 ft., darkvision 60 ft. Perception: +4 (+8 with hive mind)

Defense

HP: 12

EAC: 10 KAC: 11

Fort: +2 Ref: +2 Will: +2

Offense

Speed: 40 ft., burrow 10 ft.

Melee: bite +5 (1d4+3 P)

Ranged: survival flare gun +3 (1d3 F; critical burn 1d6)

Offensive Abilities: None

Statistics

Str: +3 Dex: +2 Con: +1 Wis: +0 Int: +0 Cha: -1

Skills: Athletics +9, Engineering +9, Physical Science +4, Profession (miner) +9, Survival +4

Languages: Common; limited telepathy 60 ft.

Gear: survival flare gun with 10 flares

Ecology

Environment: any land or underground (Castrovel)

Organization: solitary, work crew (6–12), or band (3–15 plus 5–8 formian warriors)

Special Abilities

<p><b>Able Assistant (Ex)</b> When supporting an ally within range of its limited telepathy through covering fire, harrying fire, or the aid another action, a formian worker provides a +4 bonus to its ally’s AC, attack roll, or skill check instead of the normal +2 bonus.<br/><br/> <b>Hive Mind (Ex)</b> Formians operate from a shared hive intelligence that allows them to communicate nearly instantaneously. While within telepathic range of at least one other formian with this ability, a formian gains a +4 bonus to initiative and Perception checks. If one formian is aware of a combatant, all members of the hive mind within range are aware of it, and a member of the hive mind cannot be surprised unless all members within range are surprised. If one member of the hive mind succeeds at a Will save to disbelieve an illusion effect, all members of that hive mind within telepathic range also disbelieve the effect.<br/><br/> <b>Peerless Bearer (Ex)</b> Formian workers are bred for heavy labor. A formian worker can carry 5 additional bulk beyond the normal limits for its Strength before becoming encumbered or overburdened.</p>

Description

Formians resemble giant ants with humanoid upper bodies, and carve their chitinous plates with insignias reflecting their individual names and achievements. Members of a hive all share a telepathic link, allowing them to coordinate efficiently.

Within a hive are castes specialized to particular tasks. The queen leads the hive and is its sole means of propagation, while castes like the aristocratic myrmarchs and mercantile taskmasters direct lower castes like warriors and workers.

Formians are most common on Castrovel. For millennia they sought to eradicate the lashunta, their traditional foes, but their queens now instead focus on adopting other species’ technology to industrialize their traditional hive societies.